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Enthusiasts of British historical dramas centered on royalty will find “Victoria” a captivating watch. Premiering on ITV and later embraced by PBS in the United States, the series now enjoys its place on Netflix. It holds the position of the eighth most-watched TV show on the platform in the U.S. Fans of the real-life intrigue depicted in series like “The Crown” will appreciate “Victoria” and its portrayal of the titular queen, played by Jenna Coleman.
ITV
Similar to how “The Crown” chronicles Queen Elizabeth II’s life—from her marriage to Prince Philip to her passing—”Victoria” delves into Queen Victoria’s early reign and marriage. As she ascends to the throne, Victoria faces the pressure of securing her lineage. Her love story unfolds with her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, portrayed by Tom Hughes. Together, they form a strong marital bond, although political challenges and their distinct personalities pose threats to their unity.
Although the series did not span the entirety of Victoria’s long reign before its cancellation, it presents a compelling blend of romance, family dynamics, and historical events that would satisfy “The Crown” fans.
“Victoria” is rooted in historical events. The series portrays an assassination attempt on the pregnant queen, reflecting real threats she faced. The political maneuverings depicted are based on actual intrigues within Parliament and the royal court. Prince Albert’s involvement in the anti-slavery movement and his passionate advocacy for abolition are also historically accurate. The Chartist movement and The Great Exhibition, with its grand display from Victoria’s collection, are true to history, though Victoria’s personal engagement with these events was less pronounced in reality.
As with any dramatic retelling, some artistic liberties were taken, such as Victoria’s fleeting suspicion of Albert’s infidelity. In the same vein as “The Crown,” “Victoria” embellishes certain details to enhance drama, which is why fans of one show are likely to enjoy the other. While a fourth season of “Victoria” may not come to fruition, the series leaves a rich narrative worth exploring, offering numerous evenings of engaging entertainment.
Political machinations and real-life events make Victoria a winner
ITV
Many of the things that occur in “Victoria” happened in real life as well. There was an assassination attempt on the queen’s life while she was pregnant, for instance. Much of the political jockeying that takes place in the show actually happened in Parliament and various royal back rooms. Prince Albert did become heavily involved in the anti-slavery movement in Britain, giving a rousing speech in favor of abolition. The Chartist movement was real, though Victoria took little interest in it in real life. And The Great Exhibition, naturally, actually took place — complete with the enormous white elephant put on display from Victoria’s personal collection in the Indian pavilion.
Some events in the show, naturally, were invented — including Victoria’s temporary belief that Albert is cheating on her. Much as “The Crown” gets some things wrong about its true story to create better dramatic scenarios for its characters, “Victoria” did the same. That’s just why fans of the former will love the latter — and why watching one after the other will make for an undeniably enchanting evening (or several evenings, as it were). While Season 4 of “Victoria” might never be created, it’s definitely left behind a legacy worth exploring.
