For fans of grand historical dramas, a beloved series is about to become much easier to watch. Victoria, the hit British series starring Jenna Coleman as the famous queen, is finally coming to Netflix in the United States. All three seasons of the lavish period drama will be available to stream starting December 1, 2025.
The show originally aired on ITV in the UK and on PBS’s Masterpiece in the United States, where it garnered a dedicated following. It chronicles the early life and reign of Queen Victoria, from her ascension to the throne at the age of 18 to her deep and complex relationship with Prince Albert. Now, a new wave of viewers is set to discover the series as it joins the Netflix library.
The Story of a Young Queen
Victoria begins in 1837, following the death of King William IV. With no surviving legitimate heirs, the king’s niece, Alexandrina Victoria, ascends to the throne at just 18 years old. The series details her challenging and often turbulent first years as monarch.
The drama explores how the young queen navigates the many influential and sometimes manipulative forces in the royal court. A key figure in her early life is the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, played by Rufus Sewell. Their close and politically controversial friendship is a central part of the first season. The series also delves into her romantic relationship with Prince Albert, portrayed by Tom Hughes, showing how their passionate love and powerful partnership shaped her reign and an empire. As one synopsis for the series reads:
“This eight-part drama features an all-star cast including Jenna Coleman as a young Queen Victoria and Tom Hughes as Prince Albert. The monarch’s life is chronicled as the story begins with the death of King William IV in 1837, her accession to the throne at the tender age of 18 and her relationships with the influential forces around her.”
A Critically Acclaimed Performance
While the series was a major ratings success in the UK, it didn’t achieve the same level of mainstream recognition in the US, with some critics calling it one of the most underrated historical dramas of the past decade. However, it was met with widespread critical praise, particularly for Jenna Coleman’s performance in the lead role.
The series holds an impressive 87% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with its third season earning a particularly high rating of 92%. Critics consistently highlighted the show’s ambitious visuals and Coleman’s captivating portrayal of the formidable yet vulnerable queen. In her previous interviews about the role, Coleman spoke about the depth of material available to shape her performance.
“There wasn’t really a day on set that wasn’t huge. You’ve got these journals that she’s written in, that tell you how she felt on the day,” Coleman said. She added, “There is so much detail and you move through it all so fast. There’s so much wealth in all of the moment and you want to capture that.”
How and When to Watch
Mark your calendars for a complete binge-watching session. All three seasons of Victoria, totaling 25 episodes, will be available on Netflix US starting December 1, 2025. The release is expected to go live around 3:00 AM Eastern Time.
The series will remain available for streaming on PBS’s Masterpiece platform and for free on the PBS app. It can also be rented or purchased via Amazon Prime Video. For those without those services, a Netflix subscription starts at $7.99 per month in the US. Interestingly, Victoria will not be arriving on Netflix alone. Another beloved British PBS period drama, Grantchester, is also scheduled to join the platform on the same day.
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A Royal Welcome from Fans
On social media, the announcement of Victoria’s arrival on Netflix has been met with excitement from longtime fans and newcomers alike. Many viewers have taken to platforms like Facebook to express their enthusiasm for the series and to recommend it to others.
One fan commented on the dynamic between Victoria and Lord Melbourne, writing, “So good! Watched this on PBS. Rufus Sewell from the Diplomat plays Lord Melbourne in Victoria! Loved him in that role!” Another viewer expressed their deep engagement with the historical figures, noting, “Albert was instrumental in bringing the Christmas we have now to Great Britain.” While many are thrilled, some fans have also shared their disappointment that the series concluded without covering more of Queen Victoria’s long life and reign.
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Credits: What’s on Netflix
