Victoria on Masterpiece--The New Season Begins On PBS Sunday Evening January 13 (in the U.S.A.)

Woohoo!! Thanks for posting Rebecca. I've seen some clips by Lucy Worsley on some of the exhibitions at the Queens Gallery.

Off to check my local stations and set up the DVD.

Thank you Rebecca!!

Thanks for the heads up Rebecca!
And season 7 Doc Martin just started this past Saturday on PBS. Woohoo!

Thanks, I’ve had it calendared for months. Now to come up with a special dinner or drinks to have while watching...

Thanks for the heads up. I still have to watch Poldark and Versailles on my DVR. And people ask me what will I do when I retire, Ha, plenty. Just keeping up with this forum takes time.

Hey everyone! You are welcome. Just wanted to post this so no one would miss it.

I've been watching for it. I noticed that our PBS station has been replaying the 1st and 2nd season lately for people to get caught up so I figured it was coming soon. Thanks.

Merci! Muchas gracias!! Thanks terribly!!!
Getting season 1 and season 2 from the public library to make sure I'm ready.

Glad to help!
I've also been watching the re-runs of last season so I'll be back up to speed for season 3 when it begins.

We watched about 5 episodes after our beloved Downton Abbey ended, but we never got into it.
We did start watching The Crown and got hooked on that, watched both seasons and are awaiting the start of 3rd season.

Gloriana, Alleluia! as the theme says. Just watched the rerun of “The King Over the Water”. where they stay with the charming Scottish croft couple. Thanks for the reminder, Rebecca!

We have been meaning to watch The Crown. Bought the DVD's at Christmastime.
Victoria got better, in my opinion, after the first several episodes. We enjoy the costumes, scenery, interiors and exteriors of locations, and I think the show moves at a faster pace now than the first couple of episodes.
The acting has been superb I think.

Yes, Barbara, we also just watched that episode! My favorite episode. Charming. Loved the household staff having a dance and celebration.

Loved Victoria from the beginning and looking forward to Season 3!
So glad Doc Martin is back!!
Watched 2 seasons of Poldark, then stopped. An emotional blender and depressing.
Love The Crown.
But I really hate waiting a year or more between seasons for all these shows.

In case some people don’t know, the movie Downtown Abbey will be in theaters Sept 2019. Most, or all, of the original actors. Saw the trailer a few days ago at Mary, Queen of Scots. I was thrilled!

Ooh thanks Susan! Downton Abbey movie! Can't wait to see it!

How did you like the Mary Queen of Scots movie?

Hi Rebecca! I thought it was very good. Saoirse Ronan was amazing.
Did you see the movie Brooklyn? Was out about 2 yrs ago, she starred in it. A blow you away good movie.
As is Green Book... but I digress... : )

I did not see "Brooklyn". I have some catching up to do with my movie watching.

Brooklyn was one of my favorite movies of 2015. I read the book too and it was really good also.

Side note. Not the same quality of program as "Victoria" of course, but.....
There's a program coming on the Hallmark Channel tomorrow that stars Megan Markle, AKA Prince Harry's wife, the Duchess of Sussex.

"Daters Handbook" is an episode of Hallmark Channel's romance one hour programs, not my usual fare. It was filmed in 2016 before Megan dated Harry. It's on the schedule here for Tuesday, January 8, at 2:00 PM.
The show repeats on Monday, January 28, at 10 PM.

I had never watched her TV series "Suits", so I thought it would be interesting to see what she is like as an actress.
She has a long list of TV and movie credits. Check out IMDB if interested in what these have been.
"Horrible Bosses" is one, with Jason Bateman.

Nancy, so glad you liked Brooklyn. I never tell friends to go see a particular movie, except for Brooklyn, and now, Green Book. Feel good, superbly well done movies.

Rebecca, thanks for the Markle tip!

That should be good emma, I really like Lucy Worsley and all her previous shows.

Thank you, we have been waiting for this.

"She Who Must Change Clothes" - our name for Lucy Worsley - has done a good job with the Wedding show. It was here around the Christmas blockbuster season (I forget which day but since I watch everything off disk or streaming it doesn't matter, funny how I watch virtually nothing at the time it is broadcast anymore - a big change from only having 2 or 3 channels to choose between and you saw it when it went out or you didn't see it...).

The gowns are excellent, the cake is a monster, the historical titbits are really good, and I've got to say that Lucy W has done a good one here.

I thought it must be going over the pond when I saw that in the credits it was listed as produced for BBC and Masterpiece.

Don't they call it Masterpiece Theater anymore?

I made my pilgrimage to Highclere Castle in Sept on the last day it was open to the public, and the day tour also included the village of Bampton, which is Downton Village on the show. The tour guide said filming was starting the following week and that the producers paid everyone in the village to vacate due to wanting to keep the plot a total secret, and I haven't seen a trailer yet so I kind of want to be completely surprised.

Nigel, they dropped “Theater” and just call it “Masterpiece” now.

Nigel, no, they don't call it Masterpiece Theater anymore.

Several programs have been shown here in the U.S. on PBS which were hosted by Lucy W:
Tales from the Royal Bedchamber--about what you would expect.
Tales from the Royal Wardrobes--a look behind the scenes at clothing worn by the Royals. Especially interesting was a segment on Tudor and Elizabethan clothing items in their collection at Historic Royal Palaces. They have actual corsets and dresses worn by Elizabeth I.
Inside the Body of Henry VIII--An analysis of his medical ailments which led to his death.

The last program is based largely on the book by Robert Hutchinson, "The Last Days of Henry VIII",
which I have.
This book is a very good read, but some details are gross.

I have two other books by Hutchinson that I highly recommend.
"Thomas Cromwell: The Rise and Fall of Henry VIII's most Notorious Minister "
"Elizabeth's Spy Master: Francis Walsingham and the Secret War that saved England"
All three books are fascinating.

I'm appreciating all the information posted here. I watch "Victoria", "Downton Abbey", "The Queen", "Poldark" (read the books eons ago...), "Doc Martin" and on and on, and now have a few others to add to my "watch list". I have enjoyed every one. Thanks, Rebecca, for starting this thread and encouraging the addition of all this info. I didn't know there would be a movie "Downton Abbey"! Will be on the lookout for its release date. Emma, I'd love to see "America's Biggest Fibs"! I agree with you when you say it will be interesting. Please report back as I wonder if it will be showing it here anytime soon?

I do believe that if she hasn’t attained it already, Lucy Worsley is rapidly approaching the status of ‘National Treasure’! Her Facebook postings are hilarious and her TV series on US History’s Biggest Fibs is a follow up to her original series on British History’s Biggest Fibs (plenty of raw material there you would think) lest it be thought she has something against the USA!

Her programme on the life of Jane Austen was fascinating. Made me reassess my feelings for Austen having been compelled to read ‘Persuasion’ as a fifteen year old schoolboy. Fair to say back then I just didn’t ‘get it’ but Lucy made me think it was worth returning to and I sat and read Pride and Prejudice too. While I’m not greedily devouring the rest of the Austen novels I feel that I have a better appreciation of them, albeit belatedly thanks to Lucy!

Ian

Lucy Worsley has a new book coming this month (release date today Jan 8, 2019)- Queen Victoria:Twenty-four Days That Changed Her Life. I've got it on hold for when my library gets a copy.

I am a huge fan of Victoria and can't wait to see it again this season! We went to Blair Castle this summer and (I did not know this before we visited) part of Season 2 Episode 7 of Victoria was filmed there. They used the famous Atholl Highland ponies from the Castle stables. Jena Colman's costumes are now on display in the castle in the Victoria exhibition (as the real Victoria was a frequent visitor) and the ponies are stabled next to the castle and are available to the public for pony trekking around the grounds of the estate at a very reasonable price. We talked to several members of the staff who told us about how they all had to operate when the filming was being done and some of the interactions they had with the actors. Blair Atholl was one of my favorite Scottish castles to visit.

margaret

Emma, we will be watching "America's Biggest Fibs"--thanks for the tip! Should be interesting.

Andi, you are welcome. We have watched all the programs you named, and always look forward to the new seasons!

Nancy, thank you for the tip on the book! I will have to look for that also.

Mpaulyn, thanks for the great info on Blair Castle and the Victoria clothing exhibit! Now my next trip must include a wee bit of Scotland. (had a Scottish great-grandfather whom I knew pretty well when I was a tot)

I have heard a rumor that another season of "Wolf Hall" will be produced.
All the actors have been asked--about a year ago--if they would be interested in participating, and all said "yes".
This from Mark Rylance's own website.

In the last episode of Wolf Hall before production wrapped, Henry VIII had just gotten rid of Anne Boleyn and married Jane Seymour.
This means the story must begin when Jane Seymour dies, Henry marries wife number 4 (Anne of Cleves), divorces wife number 4, then guess who is next on the chopping block. (Well, several people of course, but one in particular, unfortunately.)

No news yet as to whether filming actually has started on another season of Wolf Hall.

Emma and ianandjulie, we have not had the Lucy Worsley program on the life of Jane Austen broadcast here on TV, to the best of my knowledge. I would love to see it. Yes, Lucy is amazing!
Emma, thank you; I will definitely look for that book that accompanies the program.

Emma and ianandjulie, I trust you have seen the movie "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. It's American made, strangely enough. (Also has Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Hugh Laurie, and Tom Wilkinson). Truly wonderful, and that happens to be my favorite Jane Austen book.

One program I have seen lately that was excellent was "The Brilliant Bronte Sisters" hosted by Sheila Hancock. It was on the Ovation Channel here. It was beyond excellent, so I do recommend that people look for it on their TV schedules.

andi, see my post above... release date for the Downton Abbey movie is Sept, 2019.

I have not seen, on PBS in my area or on Netflix, Inside the Body of Henry VIII or Lucy’s Jane Austen show. I will search for those as I know I would really enjoy them.

On Netflix, there is Lucy Worsley’s show called Empire of the Tsars, which is excellent.

Rebecca this is such an interesting and informative thread!!

I want to see the US’ Biggest Fibs!

Hi Susan! Thanks, I will look for Empire of the Tsars!
Hi Pam! Yes, a lot of people are posting interesting stuff!

A couple of years ago, a series of programs appeared on PBS, now being re-run in some TV markets.
"Secrets of Hampton Court Palace"
"Secrets of Westminster"
"Secrets of the Tower of London"
All were great, so watch for these on your local PBS stations.
I cannot remember if Lucy W. was the host or not--memory fails me.

I loved Lucy Worsley's "Secrets of the Six Wives", she was quite humorous on that series, it was fun to watch.

Nancy, that was great! Lucy told things I had never heard before about the six wives.

I found Inside the Body of Henry VIII on YouTube and just watched it. Really fascinating.

I see, but haven’t watched, on YouTube, Mary I -Bloody Mary. By Timeline - World History Documentaries. Might be good!

Still looking for Jane Austen...

Edit: oh my gosh, LOTS of Lucy Worsley shows on YouTube... but no Jane Austen.

Emma - Yes, got Lucy’s Jane Austen book, but I’m afraid it’s on the ever growing pile of ‘books I really must read’. I acquire books faster than I can read them! I’m currently exploring in a ‘from the sublime to the cor blimey’ way the volume that is ‘Cunk on Everything’ which Julie bought me for Christmas which will keep me giggling for a couple of days!

Rebecca - I have seen the films, a rather easier way of getting into Austen than the books if only because they can be consumed at a sitting. Have you seen Emma Thompson’s acceptance speech from the Oscars(?) which she delivers in the style of Jane Austen? It’s on You Tube and really funny! I also like ‘Lost in Austen’, made quite a few years back now. The premise is basically that modern day P&P fan Amanda Price accidentally swaps places with Elizabeth Bennett and then desperately tries (and largely fails) to keep the plot of the book on track. It’s very amusing! A stellar cast too!

I’m surprised that Lucy Worsley’s TV programme hasn’t become available in the USA, it’s rather good though!

While I’m recommending TV programmes, has ‘To Walk Invisible’, a bio-drama on the life of the Brontes been shown in the US? I really enjoyed it with the possible exception that the scenes outside the Parsonage (which they reconstructed for the programme to be nearer the moors as it would have been in their day) were all windy, grey, rainy, ‘it’s grim up north’ type scenes, but where oddly when the sisters took to the moors they were always bathed in bright sunshine. I’m told that happens. Very occasionally!
Worth seeking out though!

Ian

Yes, To Walk Invisible, about the Bronte sisters has been shown here in the states. It is fantastic, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A side note: I met Lucy Worsley here in Atlanta at an art gallery where she gave a talk. Don’t recall the topic but we chatted for a bit, she is very gracious.

I'm gradually catching up, watching the past seasons of "Victoria" on Amazon Prime video, but I won't be done before Sunday. I watched the first few episodes of the first season but didn't find it must-see TV. I'm doing some catch-up because:

Last week a friend invited me to a sneak peek screening at our local PBS station, of the upcoming first episode of the new season. They didn't screen the entire episode, and of course they stopped it at the critical dramatic moment. And man, was it ever dramatic! So I have to tune in Sunday night to see the rest.

Ah, Lucy Worsley. The woman must be indefatigable! I subscribe to Netflix, Britbox, and Acorn streaming, and she's everywhere! Not that I mind at all. Love the clothes, and I like when she gets into costume, and I really like when she plays a bit part in the scenes. Nigel, for ever after I'll think of her as "She Who Must Change Clothes" - lol!

Thanks for the person who mentioned her new book; I'm now number one on the holds list for it at our public library.

Hi Susan, thanks for the reminder that a lot of these programs can be found on YouTube!

ianandjulie, I know! Not enough time to read all the books I'd like! So true!
Have not seen Emma Thompson’s acceptance speech from the Oscars. Will look for it on You Tube.

‘Lost in Austen’--sounds great, haven't seen it yet.
‘To Walk Invisible’--have not seen this either, but will look for it.

Judy B, very cool that you met Lucy Worsley! I am not surprised that she is very gracious.
She sometimes gives talks in England in connection with literary events that feature several authors as speakers.
I have always wanted to attend one of these.

Suz, very cool that you got to go to the screening! I think you will find (as you go back and watch previous seasons) that the second season of Victoria was better than the first in terms of the story moving right along at a good pace.
Very cool that you have Britbox and Acorn. Do you think it is worth it to get those?
I don't have either one yet.

Cheers everyone! Please keep the great suggestions coming!

Very cool that you have Britbox and Acorn. Do you think it is worth it
to get those? I don't have either one yet.

Rebecca, it's mostly worth it to me. Occasionally I will think, hmm, I haven't watched much on one or the other lately and maybe I should drop at least one. But they don't cost all that much, and I still have them both. I did drop my Acorn subscription a few years ago, then re-subscribed last year. We're now in the January - February Doldrums of Winter here, when I really enjoy having a lot of things to watch on TV. I don't enjoy being outdoors in really cold weather (mild-ish circulatory problem = often painful hands and feet no matter how bundled up I am), and in-home entertainment is so nice for such times. [ETA: It's not that this is some perma-frozen wasteland, lol. Right now it's very mild outdoors, we often have mild days in the winter, and we have lots of sunshine. But when the temps drop, they drop.]

Rebecca - I double checked and Emma T's acceptance speech was from the Golden Globes. She really hoovered up awards for S & S!

Ian

Emma, thanks. Will take a look at "Victorians Undone"--sounds interesting!
No, we have not heard of Sweet Fanny Adams here.
Edit: Ok, just looked it up. Such a brutal crime; very sad.

Suz, thanks for the info. I think I will try both.

Ian, thanks; I searched YouTube for Emma T.'s Golden Globes appearance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5prYhXQtCk

Don't they call it Masterpiece Theater anymore?

One of my pet peeves about PBS. PBS not only changed the name 11 years ago, it truncated the classical piece of music by Jean-Joseph Mouret that was played during the opening credits since 1971.

I found it hard to like "Victoria" because they have taken to showing historical fiction and calling it history. William Lamb, Victoria's first prime minister was over 40 years the Queen's senior. On this TV series, Melbourne was MUCH younger and quite dashing. Ernst, Prince Albert's brother was MARRIED even though on Victoria, he was unmarried flirting with Victoria's attendants. Just two examples of a disregard for history.

Why not just call the series historical fiction like a Philippa Gregory novel and leave it at that. :-)

I'm definitely a Poldark fan.

Continental, your point is well taken, and you are correct.
"Why not just call the series historical fiction like a Philippa Gregory novel and leave it at that."

Another TV series in which the directors took many liberties with "changing" the real history was "The Tudors".
Starting with Henry VIII's sister who married Charles Brandon. She was Mary, but "The Tudors" writers changed her name to "Margaret" because they thought the viewers would get her confused with Henry's daughter, Mary. Why they thought that, I have no earthly idea.
There are many examples of fictionalized history in "The Tudors". But fortunately they got a lot of things correct and generated interest in that time period, so maybe people got a book and read the real history.

The real history: Henry did have an older sister named Margaret, but by 1503 she was married to James IV of Scotland, and was Queen of Scotland, so she does not appear in "The Tudors" at all.
(She was the grandmother of Mary Queen of Scots.)

Mary was Henry's younger sister.
(m. Louis XII of France, then m. Charles Brandon; she was grandmother of Lady Jane Grey)

"The Tudors" really did mess things up, because anyone who watched "The Tudors" will probably swear that "Margaret" was the one who married the French king and then Charles Brandon, when it fact, it was Mary who married both.
The fact that there really was a Margaret only confuses things more for anyone who believed "The Tudors".

@ Suz: We have Britbox and Acorn and feel we get good value out of each.
But it all depends on what a person likes: we enjoy the British TV series for several reasons, one of which is that seniors ( including actresses over 50 or 60 are actually featured in many British series), in instead of being treated like non-entities in the US youth-oriented entertainment culture.

Hi Rebecca, fascinating background on The Tudors, which I loved and binge watched because I couldn’t stop. Many scenes still haunt me.

I had Acorn and Britbox for a couple months recently and didn’t think it was good value (for me). All shows were either ancient or I had already seen many times on PBS.

Hi Susan! I loved "The Tudors" too, in spite of some historical facts being changed.
Wonderful costumes, scenery, locations. Like you, I couldn't stop watching.
Thanks for your take on Acorn and Britbox.

Another TV series in which the directors took many liberties with
"changing" the real history was "The Tudors". Starting with Henry
VIII's sister who married Charles Brandon. She was Mary, but "The
Tudors" writers changed her name to "Margaret" because they thought
the viewers would get her confused with Henry's daughter, Mary. Why
they thought that, I have no earthly idea.

Absolutely, Rebecca! I think Showtime was in it just to be salacious! LOL So the writers thought viewers would get CONFUSED? The "Margaret" storyline was just ludicrous.

There are many examples of fictionalized history in "The Tudors". But
fortunately they got a lot of things correct and generated interest in
that time period, so maybe people got a book and read the real
history.

I wonder how many viewers decided to read either David Starkey's or Antonia Fraser's respective tomes on the 6 wives of Henry VIII because they enjoyed the Tudors? I would be impressed! :-)

The real history: Henry did have an older sister named Margaret, but
by 1503 she was married to James IV of Scotland, and was Queen of
Scotland, so she does not appear in "The Tudors" at all. (She was the
grandmother of Mary Queen of Scots.)

Mary was Henry's younger sister. (m. Louis XII of France, then m.
Charles Brandon; she was grandmother of Lady Jane Grey)

Yup! Speaking of Lady Jane Grey, I enjoyed Alison Weir's Innocent Traitor. I've always enjoyed historical fiction from this period.

"The Tudors" really did mess things up, because anyone who watched
"The Tudors" will probably swear that "Margaret" was the one who
married the French king and then Charles Brandon, when it fact, it was
Mary who married both. The fact that there really was a Margaret only
confuses things more for anyone who believed "The Tudors".

Couldn't agree more.

Hi Continental! Thanks for your comments. "Spot on" all your observations!

David Starkey
Antonia Fraser
Alison Weir
All are terrific authors. You couldn't go wrong reading any of the books these three have written.

"Speaking of Lady Jane Grey, I enjoyed Alison Weir's Innocent Traitor. I've always enjoyed historical fiction from this period."
Excellent book. Having read this, I'm sure you know that Lady Jane Grey was reluctant to claim the throne; she was pushed by others to do so. So the people who pushed her eventually were sent to Tower Hill to the chopping block, too.

Lady Jane Grey is buried inside the Church of St Peter ad Vincula, along with Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Thomas Cromwell and several other famous Tudor era people who met with the chopping block.
Look for this little church in the back left corner of the Tower of London when you visit.

Bump. Reminder, Victoria comes on tomorrow night in most PBS markets.

Can’t wait!

"Bump" again. "Victoria" on Masterpiece season 3 begins tonight. In my area, at 8 PM; check your local listings.

It’s Victoria night on PBS.southern California. Last years Christmas special airs at 7:30 (skating on thin ice, Christmas trees hanging from the ceiling, the parrot). Third season premiere at 9 pm. And then at 10 pm, a new program “Victoria & Albert: the Wedding”. Does anyone know about this wedding program?

Thanks for keeping this thread going!

There’s a V&A Wedding show with Lucy Worsley on YouTube... don’t know if it’s the same one. It was good.

Well, that was enjoyable!

The PBS V&A Wedding is the same one that’s been on YouTube for a while.

Excellent, both shows. Can't wait to see next weeks' episode of both!

Loved the 'Victoria' episode - excellent as usual. But, I'm not much of a night owl and dozed off about half way through the wedding show. I'll have to catch it when I'm more awake. :)