Victoria 2016

     This series is about the early life of the British Queen Victoria.  She ascended to the throne at the age of 18 in 1837 after her uncle the King died.  Victoria struggled in the beginning of her reign because her mother and also her mother’s companion Sir John Conroy were smothering.  Her mother and Conroy tried to influence her every move and decision as the new queen.  Conroy pressed to be her private secretary so he could be in control of the government instead of Victoria.  They tried to select Victoria’s ladies-in waiting to further influence and pressure the Queen.  Some men in the government favored a regency including Sir John.  Instead, the Queen turned to Lord Melbourne for support and guidance.

     There is plenty of substance to the life of Queen Victoria without including information that isn’t true?  Much work and expense went into this production so it seems it would’ve been easier to follow history than invent it?  3 ½* (I liked this series)

60 min each episode, TV Series, Bio created by Daisy Goodwin with Jenna Coleman, Rufus Sewell, Daniela Holtz, Adrian Schiller, Catherine Flemming, Tommy Knight, Margaret Clunie, Anna Wilson-Jones, Alex Jennings, Bebe Cave.

Note:  Imdb 8.2 out of 10, 82% critic 94% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 685 reviews, Metacritic 67 out of 100 with 22 critics 6.4 out of 10 with 43 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, County Durham, West Yorkshire, Berkshire, Westminster, Leicestershire and London, England, UK.  Jenna Coleman in the role of Queen Victoria had to learn the waltz and how to ride sidesaddle.  Jenna read Queen Victoria’s diaries for her research.  She wears blue contacts to depict Victoria’s blue eyes.  The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as Dash in this series also played this role in the movie Young Victoria.  According to Time Magazine the truth is stretched in this series.