OSN brings ITV’s new drama Victoria to MENA

OSN will exclusively broadcast ITV’s new lavishly produced drama series Victoria, across Asia and the Middle East premiering Tuesday 6 September on ITV Choice.

Victoria launched in the UK on Sunday 28 August with 5.7 million viewers (combined total of 6.6 million including catch up) and 30% share, which is the highest audience share for a new drama, on any channel in the UK this year, and equal in share to the first ever episode of Downton Abbey back in September 2010.

Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who, Captain America, Me Before You) stars as a young Queen Victoria in the series that chronicles the public and private life of one of history’s most interesting and influential monarchs.

The ambitious eight-part drama follows the early life of the Queen, from her ascension to the throne at the tender age of 18, through to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert. Victoria went on to rule for 63 years, and was Britain’s longest serving monarch until that record was overtaken by Elizabeth II, who has now equaled her great- great grandmother’s time on the throne

BAFTA-nominated actor Rufus Sewell, (A Knight’s Tale, The Holiday, and The Illusionist) is cast alongside Coleman, as Lord Melbourne, Victoria’s first prime minister. The two immediately connected and their intimate friendship became a popular source of gossip that threatened to destabilize the government – angering both Tory and Whigs alike.

Tom Hughes (About Time, The Game, Dancing on the Edge) will star as Prince Albert. Appearing in the drama from episode three, Albert immediately makes an impression on the young queen, his first cousin. Although Victoria resisted attempts to rush her into marriage initially, her partnership with Albert was a success and they would ultimately produce nine children.