Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes to return for Victoria series 3

Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes are set to return for a third series of Victoria which expected to air in the new year.

The success of the first two lavish seasons, which followed Queen Victoria from her accession to the throne through to her marriage of Prince Albert, has led ITV to commission to a third run of the royal drama.

Creator Daisy Goodwin revealed that new episodes will focus on a ‘dramatic time’ for the royal family.

“Series three will start in 1848 which was a hugely dramatic and eventful time for both the royal family and Europe, with revolutions on the continent and uncertainty around the monarchy,” she said in a statement.

“Viewers can expect more drama than ever before in the third series.”

Best known for her role in Doctor Who, the new series will see critically-acclaimed actress Coleman reprise her role as the young Queen alongside Paula actor, Hughes, as Prince Albert.

Managing Director of Mammoth Screen, Damien Timmer, said: “Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes shine as Victoria and Albert and it’s an honour to have them back for a third series.

“It covers a tumultuous period in our country’s history, filled to the brim with royal scandals, political skirmishes and constitutional crises, as new historical figures enter the saga to challenge Victoria and Albert as never before.”

The second season was praised for its opulent production values and sensitive handling of postnatal depression and the Irish potato famine.

It attracted an average of 6.4 million viewers, proving to be ITV’s best returning Sunday 9pm drama of the year.

ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, said: “We’re delighted that the nation has taken Victoria to its hearts. Filled with romance, political crises and family drama, Daisy Goodwin’s scripts bring this fascinating part of history to life so vividly and we look forward to regaling audiences with the next part of the illustrious Queen’s reign.”

Victoria returns to ITV in 2018.