UK dramas Victoria, Vera filming new episodes

Filming of two drama favourites, Victoria and Vera, is currently underway in the UK.

Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes return for the third season of Victoria, with Laurence Fox (Lewis) and Kate Fleetwood (Harlots) to join the cast.

Fox will play the charismatic and wayward Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, whilst Kate Fleetwood will play Victoria’s mysterious sister Feodora, who makes an unexpected return into the Queen’s life.

Also featuring are John Sessions as Prime Minister John Russell, Lily Travers as the Duchess of Monmouth, plus Nicholas Audsley, David Burnett, Emily Forbes.

Starting in 1848, the third instalment 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.

Creator Daisy Goodwin said: “Victoria and Albert are the most famous couple of the nineteenth century, but underneath the united facade, their relationship is at breaking point and it is a struggle for mastery that neither side can win.”

Meanwhile Brenda Blethyn is also returning as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, in four feature length episodes set against the backdrop of the British North East.

Filming of the ninth season is underway for the first episode, entitled Blind Spot written by Paul Logue. The cast includes Kenny Doughty, Jon Morrison, Riley Jones, Ibinabo Jack, Peter Davison, James Atherton, Jodie McNee, Adrian Lukis and Paul Kaye.

Silverprint Pictures Executive Producer, Phil Hunter, said, “It’s always a thrill to be back in production on Vera after months of developing the stories and scripts. It’s fantastic seeing ‘the Vera family’ re-united on Tyneside, led by the amazing Brenda Blethyn. The love there is for Vera, continues to inspire and fuel the enthusiasm of everyone involved in the making of the show. Filming in the region is a joy and the wonderful thing is that there is still so much more to explore!”

Airdates for Australia are yet to be announced.