Tom Hughes talks Victoria
TV PRINCE: THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME
T his week Tom Hughes returned to our screens in the second season of Victoria on ITV Choice.
The success of the riveting series can be attributed to Hughes’ role as Prince Albert and his love affair turned marriage with Victoria. The highly-acclaimed and widely successful series continues exploring the love between Albert and Victoria – now with the added pressure of their first born.
“It’s the first time I’ve revisited a character. Ordinarily, I’m always keen to move on to a new challenge, but with Albert part of the appeal was the opportunity to really take my time with mapping out the character and his life. As such, coming back this year truly felt like a seamless continuation of that storytelling, and feels like an extension and growth of all that we have shown so far,” he explains.
“My take on Albert is that he is a meticulous man which probably makes me meticulous in my approach. Once I discovered him, I found the shoes easy to step back into. I don’t remember forming him, as my take on him just happened.”
Detailing what is in store for Albert this series, Hughes says: “Continuing from series one, there is a definite growth in Albert. It’s important to remember that he and Victoria are only in their very early twenties at the end of series one.
“Series two picks up only a few weeks later, so they are still these two young spirits, and there is a freshness, a vitality, perhaps an idealism and drive in them. We see Albert navigate his way not only through his growing maturity, but parenthood, love, passion, invention, science and loss.”
The new series also sees Albert explore the scientific and technological advances of the time.
“From a storytelling point of view, I think the storyline is exciting because if you look at our modern world, computers are our everything in terms of communication. To go back and see the primitive form of the idea and the genius behind it is very exciting. Charles Babbage was very much at the heart of the growth of computers. When you walk through the halls of Buckingham Palace, there are candles – no electric lights – and yet someone has perceived a machine that can think for you. I understand why Albert would have been fascinated by that.
“Because of the benefits of the position Albert holds, he witnesses these things and hopefully the audience will enjoy discovering them afresh alongside him. We take for granted trains and computers, but going back makes you appreciate how life changing they are as ideas and the impact they had on society. I think it is an interesting prism through which to discover those advancements because Albert and Victoria would have had the fortune to discover them very early on in their conception.” Discussing his relationship with newly-appointed Prime Minster Sir Robert Peel, Tom explains: “In our telling of the story, they both found themselves trying to find their feet at a similar time. I think, as a result of this, there was the opportunity from both sides to not only just see the other’s position, but also see the person behind it, which provided the opportunity for a closeness and trust to grow between the pair.” When we first met Albert, he was young and living in a different country. Has he settled in more now and what differences will we see in him and in his position? “I think, naturally, the more time one spends in an environment the more at ease one feels within it. Or, the more one understands of it, at least. That is true of Albert, but circumstance has it that others may not be quite as comfortable with this growing stability and strident expression!” On the power struggle between himself and Victoria, he adds: “In my interpretation of Albert, there is a strident, inquisitive and at times restless nature within him. As such, I am not sure if he would ever truly feel as if he has finished striving.” The new series also sees Albert adopt a new role as a father, which is influenced by the loss of his mother at an early age. Hughes explains: “To me, the awareness of the potentially finite nature of one’s relationship with a guardian is what drives Albert, on some level, to ensure he is a very present father.” Was it rewarding to film with the youngsters who play their children? “It brings a real spirit and energy. When you are on a film set, you hope to immerse yourself in that reality and suspend your disbelief. If you have a lot of energy in the room and it feels spontaneous, that is great and is what actors are always striving for. Kids naturally have that playfulness, which brings a much-needed anarchy and life to scenes.” – Citizen reporter