Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) has boarded ITV’s ambitious eight-part TV series Victoria as the young Queen Victoria. The series follows the early life of Queen Victoria, from her ascension to the throne aged only 18, through to her courtship and marriage to Price Albert. Victoria went on to rule for 63 years, and was Britain’s longest serving monarch until she was overtaken by the current Queen Elizabeth II on 9th September this year.

Victoria will be made by Mammoth Screen (Poldark). Novelist Daisy Goodwin has created and written the series, which will amount to her screenwriting debut. Goodwin also serves as exec producer alongside Dan McCulloch (Indian Summers) and Mammoth Screen’s managing director Damien Timmer (Parade’s End). Paul Frift (Doctor Who) produces. Tom Vaughan (Starter For Ten) will direct the first 90 minute episode

Filming begins this October. ITV’s director of drama Steve November and controller of drama Victoria Fea commissioned the series. ITV Studios Global Entertainment will distribute the series.