In the inaugural season of “Victoria,” audiences saw the titular young queen (Jenna Coleman) as she settled into her life as a monarch. Victoria was coronated, broke away from her mother (Catherine Flemming), distanced herself from Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell), cultivated her own methods as a ruler, and married Prince Albert (Tom Hughes). A new clip for the show’s second season suggests that it will focus on how Victoria integrates motherhood into her royal responsibilities.
The first look of the ITV and PBS series’ sophomore season depicts the baptism of Victoria and Albert’s first child, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa, who was born in the first season finale. According to Variety, the clip was released May 22 in honor of Victoria Day, the anniversary of the queen’s birth.
Series creator Daisy Goodwin will again serve as writer and EP on the upcoming season, which includes eight episodes and a two-hour Christmas special. The new season will pick up a few weeks after Princess Victoria’s birth. Diana Rigg (“Game of Thrones”), Martin Compston (“Line of Duty”), and Bruno Wolkowitch (“Spin”) are joining the cast. “Rigg will play the queen’s Mistress of the Robes, Compston will guest star as social activist Dr. Robert Traill, and Wolkowitch will portray French King Louis Philippe,” Variety writes.
Mammoth Screen’s Kate McKerrell and Damien Timmer exec produce the historical drama, as does Masterpiece’s Rebecca Eaton. Paul Frift produces.
Season 1 of “Victoria” was ITV’s highest-rated drama of 2016.
Season 2 of “Victoria” is currently in production. It will air on ITV in the UK this fall and on PBS in the U.S. in early 2018.