Victoria show writer Daisy Goodwin has revealed that a source close to the royal family has shared that they love the hit period drama about the current queen’s great great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
Goodwin told the Daily Star, ‘I know someone who is a very old friend of the Queen’s and I was told that the royal family is enjoying it hugely. Whether that means the Queen is enjoying it, I don’t know. But I know that other people in her circles are enjoying it.’
Victoria covers the early life of Queen Victoria, including her accession to the throne at age 18 and her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert in 1840.
Star Jenna Coleman has shared her initial reluctance to play Queen Victoria, saying, ‘I think when taking on something so iconic, and someone who really existed, I think there’s also going to be concern that you can do it to the best of your ability. Ultimately, the more I read, the more it unfolded in front of me and it was impossible to turn down. I think I would crazy if I do. It’s a gift. It’s an absolute gift to be able to explore and try and bring this to life.’
The show has been a ratings success, launching in August 2016 and averaging 7.7 million viewers per episode. This has made it the top rated ITV drama of the year so far and pushed it ahead of BBC’s Poldark, the show’s rival for the Sunday night slot.
A second series has been commissioned but fans – including the royal family – will have to wait a year before they get to see Jenna Coleman once again in the titular role.
Although Goodwin pitched a Christmas special for the end of 2016 to the network before the original series had aired she reveals that ITV bosses turned her down: ‘They went “Umm…” I bet they are wishing they had one now.’
Queen Victoria ruled as head of the United Kingdom from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. She was the longest reigning British Monarch until 9 September 2015, when her great great granddaughter – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – surpassed this record.
Albert specifically was the source of many Christmas customs we take for granted.