Fit for a Queen
Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman (right) talks to James Rampton about picking up the reins for her role as Queen Victoria. “Independence was something Victoria relished and something she fought a long time for.” – Jenna Coleman
Queen Victoria has long reigned victorious with TV and film audiences. The British monarch has been a big draw in offerings such as
Young Victoria and Mrs Brown. Now a major new British drama,
Victoria, can be added to that list. Written by novelist Daisy Goodwin, this epic eight-part series traces the early life of Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman, Doctor Who), from her ascension to the throne at the age of 18, through to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert (Tom Hughes).
Even though Victoria refuses to be hurried into marriage at first, her partnership with Albert proves successful and produces nine children. Victoria proceeds to rule for 63 years.
The drama begins by focusing on her relationship with Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell), Victoria’s first prime minister. The two immediately hit it off and their close friendship prompts widespread gossip that risks undermining the Government – infuriating both Tories and Whigs alike.
To research the role, Coleman says she had the perfect resource – Queen Victoria’s own journals.
“Having been one of the most prolific journal writers in history, writing around 62 million words, Queen Victoria is someone we have such extensive access to,” says the actress. “She is someone who is so effervescent and vital to our history. She lived an extraordinary life, and she had this wonderful spirit and humour alongside it. You can just see it spilling out over the page – this passionate young woman who led an astonishing life and never lost her strength.”
Poring over the monarch’s journals taught Coleman much else besides. The actress adds that, “One of her ladies once said that Victoria had ‘veins of iron’, which is interesting, and with everything I have read you can see Victoria’s extreme stubbornness set against, and almost at war with, her good
nature. Something we don’t really know too much about is her sense of humour. She loved to laugh a lot.
“I have so many words written down in my notebook to describe Victoria – impulsive, passionate, creative, difficult, soulful, loyal, independent, inflexible, imaginative, guileless and self-willed.”
The drama also underscores what an enduring and loving relationship Victoria and Albert had.
According to Coleman, “Victoria’s family and everyone around her regarded Albert as the person she was to marry. But she was extremely obstinate and never liked to do what was expected of her. So she resisted him and you see that in our story. But it isn’t for a very long time, as she takes one look at him and is head over heels.”
The actress adds that the bond was only strengthened by their shared love of music.
“I always describe Victoria and Albert as ying and yang. But for all their differences, it was in their shared passion for music that they would come together and unite.
“They used to play together a lot and during their courtship he wrote music for her.
“They were very artistic. She used to water colour and have people into the palace to give her lessons. She also designed all of her dresses and chose her own fabrics. She was incredibly talented.”
Despite being Queen, Victoria remained down to earth.
“She wore flowers in her hair on her wedding day because she wanted it to be simple,” Coleman reveals. “She approached the day as an ordinary woman who was getting married because she loves a man, not because of the pomp or the diamonds.”
Coleman reflects that this is one royal love story that really was a fairytale romance.
“Independence was something Victoria relished and something she fought a long time for. Because of this, surrendering any control to her husband caused quite a battle. They had to go through turbulent times to find an equilibrium.”
The actress says that, “Victoria and Albert’s story was one of absolute true love. It is extremely rare and fortunate that the person who is heralded as the one you will marry is someone you find such kinship with. Their rows were extremely fraught, but they were everlastingly a team. In each other, they found true
soulmates.”