‘The skating scenes are very special!’
Jenna Coleman (Queen Vic) and Tom Hughes (Albert) tell us about the lavish Victoria festive special on ITV
The Christmas episode is all about family – and Queen Victoria takes in an African orphan, right?
JENNA, 31: I think Victoria is like a queen from another world, and she’s always been curious about other cultures and traditions. Sarah enters Victoria’s life as an orphan, abandoned and alone, and I think Victoria can see something of herself in her. Victoria and Albert are both from broken homes and dysfunctional childhoods, so by trying to help Sarah, Victoria eases the wounds of her own experiences.
Do you have a favourite scene from the festive episode?
J: I loved the children coming in to open their presents on Christmas Eve, mainly because they were so excited! The snow and ice skating scenes are very special, too. TOM, 32: I enjoyed it all. The smell of pine needles on set was very welcome – although
it was a bit strange to walk outside from that into June sunshine [the special was shot in the summer].
And we learn that it was Prince Albert who started the tradition of having a Christmas tree…
J: Yes, it seems we have Prince Albert to thank for an awful lot that has shaped our world today. It’s fascinating seeing Christmas becoming Christmas as we now know it in this episode… T: Once I began delving into Albert’s life, it became apparent that many of the traditions introduced in the 1840s set the trend for modern-day Christmas.
What were the ice-skating scenes like to film?
J: I think the sight of Victorians on ice is quite beautiful. Also, snow machines are fun! Those scenes have a lovely familial setting now the children are older, and I’m enjoying seeing the family forming – the set now feels like a home.
Did you have to learn to skate?
T: I’d been on skates before – Winter Wonderland and the like [the massive Christmas theme park in London’s Hyde Park] – but getting used to skating on plastic [the rink was artificial] is a completely different kettle of fish.
What do you prefer: snow and ice, or a roaring fire?
J: I love to be warm, so a roaring fire for me!
Do you have a favourite Christmas tradition?
J: Drinking Baileys while wrapping presents in front of an open fire on Christmas Eve. T: I’m not really a man for tradition – I’m certainly not a stickler for it, anyhow. You can’t beat a Christmas pudding, though – and a good festive soundtrack.
If you could grant one Christmas wish to yourself, what would it be?
T: That Paul Scholes [ex-man Utd footballer] was 10 years younger, so he could play again.