Netflix sets release date for one of the most underrated historical romances of all time
A royal love story within the walls of the British monarchy; What’s not to like? Originally broadcast on ITV in the UK and Masterpiece in the US, Marguerite Goodwina deep dive into the life of one of Britain’s most famous monarchs, Queen Victoriadebuted in 2016 and received widespread praise from viewers and positive ratings. Averaging over five million viewers per episode in the UK, the series became ITV’s highest-rated drama series of 2016 and gained two follow-up seasons. As she runs as companion to the beloved Doctor Who was coming to an end, the series offered a new stage in the career of the effortlessly talented Jenna Coleman.
Despite its huge impression across the pond, Victoria didn’t have as much of an impact in the United States and, in retrospect, it’s certainly one of the most underrated historical dramas of the last ten years. Now, thanks to the ever-revolving door of Netflix, you have another chance to see this immersive series, with Victoria officially join the streamer on December 1, 2025. In a previous interview with Collider about the daunting task of portraying the controversial monarch, Coleman said, “There wasn’t really a day on set that wasn’t huge. You have these journals that she wrote in, that tell you how she felt that day.” She then added, “There’s so much detail and you go through everything so quickly. There’s so much richness in the whole moment and you want to capture that.” A synopsis of the series reads:
“This eight-part drama features an all-star cast, including Jenna Coleman as the young Queen Victoria and Tom Hughes as Prince Albert. The monarch’s life is chronicled as the story begins with the death of King William IV in 1837, his accession to the throne at the age of 18, and his dealings with the influential forces around him. With the advice of Prime Minister Lord Melbourne and the support of her husband Prince Albert, the young Queen flourishes and establishes himself in his new role.
Was “Victoria” a success with critics?
A certain success with the public, how Victoria the fate of critics? The series received universal acclaim, with critics raving about its ambitious visuals and Coleman’s lead performance. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series has a score of 87% from critics and 84% from audiences, with its third season achieving the highest rating of all (92%). In Collider’s review of the series, Allison Keene called it “a serene story of love and monarchy”, giving it three stars.
Victoria premieres on Netflix in December.
