TV Series Review | Victoria (ITV)

‘I believe I shall find my own way, and if I require advice, I will ask for it.’

Succeeding to the throne of the most powerful empire in the world in the year 1837 at the age of eighteen could not have been easy, but given the fact that said monarch was a woman made the appointment all the more controversial. Period dramas have always intrigued me, especially series such as this, in which we can never know what is wholly true, and what is fabricated. Victoria’s journey from being completely out of her depth to strong and steadfast was wonderful to watch, which Jenna Coleman executed with extreme grace and decorum. She was able to portray the handling of difficult situations as both a monarch and a woman.

Victoria’s relationship with Lord Melbourne was one of the most interesting aspects of the series, despite its dubious historical accuracy. Melbourne is irrevocably committed to his queen, and wishes her to exceed and excel in every possible way. Despite their evident affection for one other, Melbourne teaches Victoria that certain customs must be adhered to for the greater good of her country. He ultimately wishes for her happiness, which he knows cannot possibly be as his wife. Victoria however recognises that Melbourne is integral to her campaign as queen, and so fights to keep him as Prime Minister so that he can aid her should she so require his counsel.

This relationship in turn gave way to Victoria and Albert, the crux of the series. Tom Hughes wonderfully depicted Albert’s transformation from cold and steely-faced to Victoria’s caring husband. There were many tender moments between the two, such as the pair playing piano together, which were only further accented by the beautiful music. Both Victoria and Albert thought that the notion of the two marrying – which all others deemed the perfect match – was preposterous. Through spending more time together and Victoria bringing out the compassionate side of Albert, and Albert bring out the resilient side of Victoria, the two fell in love. Their wedding was simple and yet beautifully executed, and Victoria’s wedding dress was one of the numerous intricate dresses which she wore throughout the series. All costumes were detailed and elaborate, as well as the women’s hairstyles. Victorian fashion was encapsulated in this series, from the queen’s elaborate gowns to Albert’s suit jackets through the outfits of the Chartists. I loved seeing such a specific snapshot of the Victorian era, of Victoria’s life, as opposed to reading a novel such as Great Expectations which transcends class boundaries and the relationships between these classes. I am thoroughly excited to see what the second series has in store.