Other new characters include John Sessions (Outlander) as reformist Prime Minister John Russell, and Lily Travers (Kingsman) as the beguiling Duchess of Monmouth.

Returning are Tom Hughes (Dancing on the Edge) as Victoria’s devoted, obsessive husband, Prince Albert; Nell Hudson (Outlander) as the queen’s chief dresser, Nancy Skerrett; Ferdinand Kingsley (Borgia) as Charles Francatelli, the royal chef and cookbook king; plus a host of others.