Victoria, which stars Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes as the Queen and Prince Albert, is back for a third series – and their marriage looks ready to get even stormier as the monarch’s jealous sister and a Trump-like politician enter the fray. GEORGIA HUMP

“He’s a bit of an old rogue,” the Lewis star says of his character. “He’s a little bit Boris Johnson-y.”

The actor, who was born in Yorkshire, continues with a smile: “He’s a maverick, doesn’t do what he’s told, very rude to everybody, but quite diplomatic.”

There are similarities between his character and President Donald Trump too, Laurence notes.

“What they do cleverly in the show is parallel it up with modern life, so there is a slight Trump-iness to him in terms of the fact that he is a populist and nationalist and a troublemaker. And slightly randy as well, which is always good.”

So what is Palmerston’s relationship with Victoria like?

“Bit fractious. He thinks, ‘What are these Germans doing in charge of England?’ So, he sort of gently winds them up.

“She’s very patient ; we do develop a begrudging respect for each other, because I give her some good advice. And she appreciates the fact that I [Palmerston] am strong willed and single minded and that I act in what I perceive to be the nation’s best interest.

“Albert on the other hand, to me, is just some German dude.”

SIBLING RIVALRY

ANOTHER new development this series is the arrival of Victoria’s mysterious sister Feodora, played by Harlots star Kate Fleetwood, who makes an unexpected return into the Queen’s life.

“There is a lot of unspoken resentment and history between these two – Victoria resents Feodora for leaving her when she went off and got married, Feodora resents Victoria for having the attention because she was the heir,” explains Jenna.

“They haven’t seen each other for years and instinctively Victoria doesn’t trust Feodora.”

Feodora also has an impact on Albert, says Tom, as she “plays him brilliantly, preying on a weakness she may not even realise he has”.