The first pictures from the second series of ITV's Victoria has been released. The official Twitter page of the popular period drama announced that filming is well and truly underway. Posting an image from the set of the cast gathered in a room, the caption read: "And so series 2 begins... #Victoria #VictoriaPBS." The show's production company Mammoth Screen also shared a video of an elaborate chandelier, teasing fans by asking them which show they were on set for. Last week, some of the drama's actors took to Twitter to reveal the first read-through was taking place. Nell Hudson, who plays Miss Skerrett, shared a picture of the script alongside the words: "Hurrah SERIES 2 read-through! Wonderful to see everyone and excited to meet the newbies." [sic]
Victoria's stylist gives us the lowdown
Victoria became the new Sunday night prime-time drama last year - pulling in an average of 7.7 million viewers each week. It was recently announced that leading lady Jenna Coleman and her real-life and on-screen love interest Tom Hughes will return in the second series of Victoria as well as a 2017 Christmas special. The biopic will follow Victoria as she learns how to balance raising children with her duties as a wife and as a monarch.
VIDEO: Behind the scenes look at Jenna's stunning Victoria wedding dress
Victoria was also dubbed the "next Downton Abbey" especially as the model of having a Christmas special follows that of the ITV drama. Screenwriter Daisy Goodwin previously said she hopes her show has the potential. "Downton Abbey is the world's greatest series," she told HELLO! Online and other media outlets at the Victoria press launch last year. "They're very big shoes to fill. I love Sunday night telly so if people enjoy watching this as much as they did Downton then I feel my work is done."