Tom Hughes will star as Prince Albert alongside Jenna Coleman in ITV’s major new drama series Victoria.

The 29-year-old British actor starred in BBC Two’s spy drama The Game earlier this year, written by Doctor Who writer Toby Whithouse.

ITV’s new eight-part drama from the makers of Poldark follows the early life of Queen Victoria (Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman), from her accession 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 our longest-serving monarch until she was overtaken by Elizabeth II in September of this year.

Tom Hughes commented: “I’m delighted to be part of this project. Victoria and Albert’s story is one that not only had a lasting impact on this country’s history, but also provides a rich depth of material to create an engaging and powerful series. An historically informative, political, passionate love story. One that still feels relevant to modern life. Something that Daisy has captured perfectly with her scripts.”

Writer and executive producer, Daisy Goodwin added: “Albert was described by one contemporary as the handsomest prince in Europe.  We are very lucky to have Tom Hughes to play this complex and charismatic character, often called the greatest king we never had.”

Hughes will appear in Victoria from the third episode, in which Prince 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.

The cast also includes Eve Myles (Torchwood) as the Queen’s senior dresser, Alex Jennings (The Lady in the Van) as Leopold I, King of Belgium, Peter Firth (Spooks) as the Duke of Cumberland, Catherine Flemming (No Place to Go) as the Duchess of Kent, Rufus Sewell (Parade’s End) as Lord Melbourne, Paul Rhys (Being Human) as Sir John Conroy, Adrian Schiller (Suffragette) as Penge, Nichola McAuliffe (Coronation Street) as the Duchess of Cumberland, Daniela Holtz (Phoenix, Der Verdacht) as Victoria’s governess and confidante Baroness Lehzen, Nell Hudson (Outlander) as Miss Skerrett and Tommy-Lawrence Knight (The Sarah Jane Adventures) as the hall boy, Brodie.

Victoria began filming around the North of England in October and will air on ITV in 2016.

Are you looking forward to Victoria? Let us know below…