Jenna Coleman explains why she’ll be quitting ‘Victoria’

Victoria star Jenna Coleman has confirmed the rumours about her future on the show are true.

The former Doctor Who actress has played Queen Victoria since 2016 and returns to our screens this winter with a third season of ITV’s hit period drama series.

The showrunner of Victoria hinted earlier this year the cast might be replaced with older actors at some point, like Netflix has done in The Crown.

Victoria writer Daisy Goodwin said: “I hope the series can run through Victoria’s reign, I have thought about how it could continue … [A cast reshuffle] could be possible…”

Queen Victoria died in 1901 and the new season will pick up the story in 1848, so there’s still over 50 years of British history for the series to bring to our screens.

Discussing her future playing Queen Victoria, Coleman told Radio Times magazine: “We’re deciding on a series-by-series basis.”

She explained: “In the next one she’s starting to look a bit more matronly, she’s had six or seven children, so a bit wider, bit more of a bust, the make-up is more drawn… but there will come a point in her story when no amount of prosthetic make-up or me lowering my voice will be convincing enough.”

Jenna Coleman is only 32 and Victoria lived to the age of 81, so we can see her point!

Victoria writer Daisy Goodwin has revealed who her dream choice would be as Coleman’s replacement.

Alongside Jenna Coleman, the 8 new episodes will also see Tom Hughes (The Game) return as Prince Albert, and Victoria writer Daisy Goodwin recently hinted if Albert will die soon.

Season 3 is expected to air in the UK next month and begins in the USA at 9/8c on Sunday 13th January on PBS.

The official synopsis reads: “Starting in 1848, the third instalment of the lavish drama will depict a turbulent and uncertain time for both Europe and the monarchy. With revolutions on the continent and the Chartist movement reaching its peak in London, Victoria is under pressure from the government to leave London for her own safety.”

The first two seasons of Victoria are out now on DVD on Amazon.