ITV has announced the key casting of Prince Albert in its new historical drama Victoria – Tom Hughes (The Game, Dancing on the Edge, Silk) will star alongside Jenna Coleman, who plays Victoria.
Tom said: “I'm delighted to be part of this project. Victoria and Albert's story is one that not only had a lasting impact on this country's history, but also provides a rich depth of material to create an engaging and powerful series. An historically informative, political, passionate love story. One that still feels relevant to modern life. Something that Daisy [Goodwin] has captured perfectly with her scripts.”
The eight-part drama follows the early life of Queen Victoria, from her accession to the throne at the tender age of 18 through to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert. Victoria went on to rule for 63 years, and was our longest-serving monarch until she was overtaken by Elizabeth II in September.
Tom appears in Victoria from episode three and Prince Albert immediately makes an impression on the young queen, his first cousin.
Victoria was resistant to marriage at first, but when they did eventually wed, their union became one of the most successful Royal marriages ever and produced nine children.
Writer and executive producer, Daisy Goodwin said: “Albert was described by one contemporary as the handsomest prince in Europe. We are very lucky to have Tom Hughes to play this complex and charismatic character, often called the greatest king we never had.”
Other cast include: Rufus Sewell as Lord Melbourne, Victoria’s first prime minister; Alex Jennings as Leopold I, King of Belgium and uncle to both Victoria and Albert, who was responsible for arranging their marriage; Paul Rhys as Sir John Conroy, the ambitious controller of the Duchess of Kent’s household; Peter Firth is the Queen’s conniving uncle the Duke of Cumberland; and Eve Myles plays Mrs Jenkins, the Queen’s senior dresser.
Victoria will screen on ITV in 2016.
