PBS’ Victoria will delight fans suffering Downton withdrawal

What is it? Victoria, Season 1, eight episodes on three discs from PBS

How much? $49.99 for DVD, $59.99 for Blu-Ray When? Now Victoria as in Queen Victoria? The one and only. Victoria was England’s second-longest-reigning monarch and this series covers her first few years on the throne.

Young Victoria (Jenna Coleman) becomes queen at the tender age of 18 and it is not an easy transition from the nursery to the throne room. As a physically small, young female, she is automatically viewed as inferior by many at court and in her own family. And her opportunistic, controlling mother (Catherine Flemming) and her mother’s even more controlling “friend,” Sir John Conroy (Paul Rhys), very much want to assert their own authority and keep the queen under their power.

But Victoria is stronger than most people think and, with the help of Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell), the prime minister, and her devoted governess, Baroness Lehzen (Daniela Holtz), she sets about exerting her own authority.

Not that she doesn’t make mistakes. She’s emotional and stubborn, and her sheltered upbringing left her ill-prepared for her role.

Meanwhile, she must choose a husband and her cousin, Prince Albert (Tom Hughes), is put forward as the best match. Victoria, though, is not so certain.

How is it? Beautifully done. People who love to wallow in the views of elegant period costumes and vast, gorgeous palaces and gardens will be quite happy. So will people still suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal.

There are side plots going on, particularly with the domestic staff, and some examination

of how the queen’s massive household was run. Just like with the aristocracy, some of the servants are good and some are scheming and of dubious moral character. So, in some ways, it’s like Downton almost a century earlier and with real people.

Is it historically accurate? Yes and no. It is a somewhat fictionalized account, with certain events and relationships exaggerated for the sake of drama. Those who know little about the real Victoria probably won’t notice in the maze of lace and fancy hairdos. Lovers of history familiar with that era of England may chafe at the (often unnecessary) liberties taken with the true story.

Are there extras? There are a few short ones: interviews with Coleman, Sewell and Hughes, a tour of the Buckingham Palace set and a bit showing how they re-created Victorian London with the help of CGI.

New this week: Grace and Frankie, Season 2; The Level, Season 1; Lou Grant, Season 4; Nashville, Season 4

Next week: Fuller House, Season 1; A Place to Call Home, Season 4