Victoria

Rufus ? I fell in love with him years ago in a TV version of Middlemarch. Those cheekbones! I will Google him later ( No, not an euphemism ). ?

He is very watchable- but probably totally unsuitable for Lord M who was in his 60s and described as "very fat". Still why let reality get in the way of a story? However Vicky's life does seem to be turning into a soap opera!

I got fed up with it after about ten minutes. It may be historically accurate as someone upthread has pointed out, but it's way too "Hollywood" imho to be anything but a lightweight filler-in. The actress is waaay too pretty to play Victoria, who was always dumpy and plain afaik; and the whole thing seems lacking in any sort of nod to realism.

I've seen and read quite a lot about Victoria and her life, as have many others; apparently she was cruel to her children, selfish and hysterical as a person, and negligent as a monarch, particularly after Albert died.

It may appeal to those who like their historical drama Downtonised, however.

I like history but only saw a bit and didn't want to continue I think Gettingonabit is right she's not at all realistic as Victoria but it will appeal to many

I understood that the Victoria of later years - as most people think of her - was quite different to the young Victoria.

Yes the actress playing her is probably prettier, but she wasn't fat and that plain at 18. Having 9 children in 13 years would have had some effect on her figure and, at less than 5 feet tall, it must have been very difficult to keep a check on her weight.
Losing the love of her life at such a young age probably sent her into a spiral of depression, for which there would have been no medication in those days.

After such a repressed childhood, becoming Queen at such a young age without proper preparation must have been like a schoolgirl let out of the convent - only with all that power!

Have you read her diaries, gettingonabit? Of course, that is seeing things just from her perspective but they could be fascinating.

Her diaries and all her letters and papers were heavily edited by Beatrice after her death, she removed and destroyed anything she thought might be embarrassing. Such as an account of Albert putting on her stockings and of her watching him shave. Too naughty for her daughter!

I haven't read the diaries, jalima, but watching this programme has renewed my interest in her, so I may well put something bio/autobiographical on my birthday wish list.

And, yes, she had such a long reign that it must be difficult to make an accurate portrayal of her at various stages in her life.

And she wasn't born knowing she'd be queen, did she? Cant remember quite how she came to inherit the throne.

I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Have read several books about Victoria. I love the Victorian era and because her reign was so long she presided over a Britain that was constantly changing. Particularly love the fact that this was the first monarch who was photographed, I really like looking at the family groups with the children, quite delibertately posed, escpecially after the death of Albert to all look miserable.

Some historians speculate that maybe Sir John Conroy was in fact her biological father, I disagree having googled portraits of the Duke of Kent, her resemblance to him is striking, same rather fleshy face and bulbous eyes.

Jenna Colman, whilst being a perfectly good actress,I think she may go far, but is, as others have stated, far too pretty to play her. Jalima I really agree with your comment, Beatrice is strikingly like a picture I have seen of Victoria as a young woman.

What an interesting discussion here, no unpleasant competitive arguments just well informed and genuinely interested debate.

I'm with Jalima's summary and analysis of Victoria. I found myself thinking of Dianna as I watched last night. She was also damned by powerful men, e.g. Nicholas Soames, but she had all the usual derogatory names used for uppity women thrown at her, including hysterical, unstable etc.

I'm not suggesting that either Victoria or Dianna were perfect human beings but I've yet to meet such a person.

Jenna Coleman is a good actor and I agree with others, she is probably far to pretty/attractive to play Victoria. It will be interesting to see how the makeup/fat suits work.

I welcomed the reference to slavery and the problems with abolition and hope we get much more of Victorian history. It's such a fascinating and exciting period, so much happened that leaves a real legacy for all of us. Links with Pakistan/India and cotton in my area, alongside many many other influences.

I think it only goes up to the birth of her first child Iam64 so she may not get fat - only pregnant!

There are thousands of pages of diaries, it would be impossible to read them all, but dipping in would be quite interesting I think.

Alexandrina Victoria was born May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace, London, to Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III, and Princess Marie Luise Victoria of Saxe-Coburg. She was christened a month after her birth and was named after her godfather, Tsar Alexander I, but was always called Victoria. Her parent’s marriage and her birth were the result of a succession crisis that arose near the end of the reign of George III upon the death of the only legitimate child of the Prince of Wales, (the future George IV and Prince Regent for his insane father). William, second in the line of succession, did not have any children who survived infancy.
britishheritage.com/queen-victoria

Really enjoying Victoria but can't wait for Poldark.

Has anyone else read The Criminal Conversation of Mrs Norton?

It's about whether Melbourne had an affair with Caroline Norton, obviously before Victoria came to the throne, as it was mentioned in the first part.
It really shows how women were treated in that era.

I loved it. Not bothered about whether every detail is historically correct, and yes I'm also beguiled by Rupert Sewell's hooded eyes!

Rufus.
I wonder who Rupert Sewell is.

Caroline Norton and Lord Melbourne helped change the law on divorce and whether a woman was entitled to anything if she divorced her husband.
They also helped change the law on whether a mother could keep her children after divorce. Before then the children belonged to the father, who could even have his mistress look after the children, but the mother wasn't allowed to.
Divorce was only for rich people, and the wife was not allowed to speak for herself in court.

Googling Lord Melbourne, I see he was married to Lady Caroline Lamb who had a fling with Lord Byron and I believe she coined that well known phrase about him "mad, bad and dangerous to know". The real Lord Melbourne looked nothing like Rufus Sewell, but then again Queen Victoria looked nothing like Jenna Coleman. If Timothy Spall could be persuaded to play a woman, he might be a good likeness for Q V, in her later years, he does sombre very well

Strangely enough, we drove past Melbourne Hall yesterday; seem to recall visiting it many years ago after seeing the film about Lady Caroline Lamb. Must revisit; Melbourne itself is a charming village.

Presumably Melbourne in Australia is named after him, or perhaps his father.

I remember the film about Lady Caroline Lamb, was it Sarah Miles?

Yes it was; she was very much the 'in' actress back then wasn't she. I suppose it wasn't long after my teenage obsession with reading Georgette Heyer regency romances.Newstead Abbey [Byrons pad] isn't a million miles away from here either.

Melbourne's real name was William Lamb, hence being married to Lady Caroline Lamb.
Melbourne in Australia was named after him, not his dad.

Interesting to know how Melbourne (the city) got it's name. Now I'm wondering about Sydney

After the British Home Secretary Lord Sydney 1789. Isn't Google wonderful, if only they'd pay their fair share of taxes but I digress, back to Victoria and all those who surrounded her. Yes I remember the "Lamb" film starring Sarah Miles and I believe Dr Kildare stepped into the role of Byron can't remember the actor's name.

Richard Chamberlain? wild guess

Didn't Timothy Spall once play Margaret Rutherford TerriBull ?
I've only just got round to watching Victoria and I'm really enjoying it. It's a bit depressing to see how old some of the actors are getting though. I remember Peter Firth as a pretty blonde boy!

Sydney after Lord Sydney who decided Botany Bay was a good place to send all those pesky convicts
Melbourne after Lord Melbourne aka Rufus Sewell (whose father, incidentally, was Australian
Brisbane after Sir Thomas Brisbane
Cairns was named after William Wellington Cairns, Governor of Queensland from 1875-1877.
Darwin (after Charles Darwin) was originally called Palmerston
Adelaide after the wife of William IV

Wasn't Peter Firth in Spooks (and very good too)