Thomas has had a busy few years filming Daisy Goodwin’s period drama Victoria for ITV, Harlots for Hulu – and, more recently, Lisa McGee’s (Derry Girls) new thriller, The Deceived, for Channel 5 in Northern Ireland.
(Credit: Catherine Ashenden)
For an example of the passionate perfectionism of drama producer Damien Timmer, look no further than the press screening of the first episode of ITV drama Victoria, starring Jenna Coleman.
A coming-of-age sitcom written by Lisa McGee, Derry Girls aired back in January on Channel 4.
Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes return as Queen Victoria and her beloved consort Albert in the hotly-anticipated third series of the regal drama. Created and written by Daisy Goodwin, the new series will see Laurence Fox (Lewis) play charming and rebellious Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston. The series will also see the addition of Olivier and Tony award-nominated Kate Fleetwood (Harlots) as Victoria’s mysterious sister Feodora who makes an unforeseen return into the Queen’s life.
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“It’s important for me to have something to say. We’ve all written stuff that’s competent and empty,” said Sophie Petzal, whose television breakthrough came on CBBC dramas such as Wolfblood and Dangermouse. More recently she has written episodes for Sky Atlantic’s Riviera and BBC Two’s The Last Kingdom, and has original scripts in development with Company Pictures.
Jamie Oliver is back with a feast of quick and easy recipes that contain just five ingredients for those in a hurry to fit into their busy schedules.
His new flash dishes range from rib-eye steak, to egg and mango chutney flatbreads, to a delicious plate of scallops with black pudding, mashed potatoes and peas.
The teaser clip shows Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and Prince Albert (Tom Hughes) at the Christening of the couple’s first child, Princess Victoria, known as Vicky.
The second series will again be written by creator and executive producer Daisy Goodwin, and viewers will see Queen Victoria face new challenges both at home and abroad.
Victoria will be figuring life out as a working mother, balancing her responsibilities as both parent and Queen. However, Prince Albert is still struggling to find a role for himself alongside his powerful wife as she returns to her duties.
The Digital TV Group, the cross-industry organisation that defines how technology delivers digital TV in the UK, hosted the event at the end of September.
It boasted a panel chaired by DTG Chief Executive Richard Lindsay-Davies; and featuring Nigel Walley, MD of consultancy Decipher; Andy Quested, head of technology, BBC HD and Ultra-HD; and Tom Griffiths, director of broadcast and distribution technology at ITV.
The first series, which started in late August and now has two episodes left to air, has averaged 7.7 million viewers so far, making it ITV’s highest rating drama this year.
In it, Jenna Coleman stars as the young queen and Tom Hughes as her cousin, and future husband, Albert.
Both have confirmed that they will reprise their roles in the next series. It is not yet known which cast members from series one will join them.
Daisy Goodwin, who wrote and executive produced the show, said: “Even though she reigned in the 19th Century, Victoria is a heroine for our times.”
