September 1940 finds the Halcyon catering to its well-healed guests as if the war wasn’t happening. As German bombers approach London, the kitchen staff is in full swing, preparing a wedding dinner and lamenting the lack of geese to use in the main course. Little do they know that the entre will soon be the … >
It’s now August of 1940 and Americans are leaving London—and the Halcyon—in droves. German propaganda leaflets are being dropped along the coast and dogfights are taking place in the air above the hotel. Rather than run for cover, the intrepid Brits stand in the street and applaud RAF victories. Joe O’Hara’s boss has offered him … >
It’s now June, 1940, and the war is progressing from bad to worse. France has asked for an armistice and wealthy French aristocrats are leaving in droves, seeking refuge in the hotel. One particular French Count proves to be a particularly odious guest. The Count stirs up the kitchen staff, scares Billy (and us) … >
It’s May of 1940 and the skies above London are full of RAF planes as ITV’s new hotel drama The Halcyon continues. The “phony war” rapidly becomes real when the Dutch surrender and German tanks cross the Maginot Line. Conflict is brewing within The Halcyon and battle lines are drawn. Lady Hamilton observes Richard Garland … >
With Downton Abbey in the rear view mirror and the second season of The Crown in the distant future, we now have ITV’s The Halcyon to fill the void. And does it ever! The Halcyon is a swanky hotel in London where aristocrats, political leaders, and the posh set come to stay and play. It’s May … >
Eight episodes in, and Victoria still hasn’t invented the Victoria sponge. I suppose the queen has rather more pressing matters on her mind in this episode; namely, the tiny royal growing in her belly, and crackpots at every turn. Not even queens are safe from Those Dudes who simply have no sense for when it’s … >
The writer of ITV’s Victoria has revealed that the young Queen will face a “very modern dilemma” in the period drama’s second season. ITV announced the commission of Season 2 last month, confirming that Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) and Tom Hughes (The Game) will return as as the young Queen and Prince Albert. The eight-part first season launched in … >
Poor, poor Victoria. What an almighty hassle it must be, being such a subject of public scrutiny every time you feel a little barfy in the middle of a music performance – and indeed, the sense of tension and unease is captured beautifully in this episode’s opening scene. Turns out Vic and Bert made babies! … >
Doctor Who actress Jenna Coleman stars in ITV’s epic new drama series Victoria this autumn. Victoria (Coleman) comes to the throne at a time of great economic turbulence and resurgent republicanism – and died 64 years later the head of the largest empire the world had ever seen, having revitalised the throne’s public image and become ‘grandmother … >
If there’s anything that goes to show quite nicely that politics are a load of old nonsense, it’s that in this episode of Victoria, a good deal of fuss is kicked up over who gets to walk into a dinner party first. As if there aren’t more pressing matters to concern oneself with, such as … >