Denis Lawson to guest star in Victoria

Denis Lawson to guest star in Victoria

Scenes set and filmed with the acclaimed actor at historic Blair Castle in Scotland

As filming continues on the highly-anticipated second series of ITV and Mammoth Screen's Victoria, it has been announced that acclaimed Scottish actor Denis Lawson (Bleak House, Marchlands) will feature in the upcoming series in scenes filmed in Scotland.

The BAFTA and Emmy-nominated New Tricks star will appear as the Duke of Atholl who welcomes Victoria and Albert to the Scottish Highlands in scenes filmed at historic landmark, Blair Castle, in Perthshire this month.

The announcement follows the news that Martin Compston (Line Of Duty) will also guest star in the series, whilst Dame Diana Rigg (Game Of Thrones) has joined the regular cast as the Duchess of Bucchleuch, the young Queen's new Mistress of the Robes.

The array of talent join series leads Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) and Tom Hughes (Paula) who reprise their roles as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as well series regulars Nell Hudson (Outlander), Nigel Lindsay (Unforgotten), Alex Jennings (The Lady In The Van), Peter Bowles (To The Manor Born), Ferdinand Kingsley (Borgia), David Oakes (The White Queen), Catherine Flemming (Tatort) and Daniela Holtz (Circle Of Life).

Following the critical acclaim and record ratings success of the first instalment, the second series has again been written by creator and executive producer Daisy Goodwin, and sees Queen Victoria face new challenges both at home and abroad.

Picking up six weeks after the first series ended, the new season establishes Victoria as a working mother, learning to balance her responsibilities as both parent and Queen. However, Prince Albert is still struggling to find a role for himself alongside his powerful wife as she returns to her duties.

The eight-part series and two-hour Christmas special has been commissioned by ITV's Head of Drama, Polly Hill, and production is being overseen by Senior Drama Commissioner Victoria Fea for ITV. It is being executive produced by Mammoth Screen Managing Director Damien Timmer, Kate McKerrell (Lost In Austen) and Daisy Goodwin for Mammoth Screen, and once again produced by Paul Frift (Room At The Top). Directors for the series are Lisa James Larsson (Striking Out), Geoffrey Sax (Tipping The Velvet), Jim Loach (Oranges And Sunshine) and Daniel O Hara (The Game).

The first series of the drama was ITV's highest rating drama of 2016, receiving critical acclaim and a consolidated average of 7.7m viewers with a 29% share. It is distributed by ITV Studios Global Entertainment and has been sold in 350 territories worldwide. It has also proved hugely popular in the US, with the first series reaching an average audience of 6.3m viewers and the first episode drawing in a 28% share - more viewers than the first series of Downton Abbey.

Victoria is a co-production with MASTERPIECE on PBS, with Rebecca Eaton serving as executive producer. Victoria premiered on MASTERPIECE on PBS on January 15, 2017.

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/denis-lawson-guest-star-...
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