If you’ve been yearning for the intricate court intrigue of Wolf Hall, the lavish family sagas of Downton Abbey, or the regal romance of The Crown, your search ends here. Netflix has stealthily added all three seasons of Victoria—the lush, breathtaking 2016-2019 ITV period drama starring Jenna Coleman as the young Queen—to its library on December 1, 2025, and it’s already surging up the charts as the streamer’s most addictive historical binge of the month. Created by Daisy Goodwin (The White Queen), this 25-episode masterpiece chronicles the early reign of Queen Victoria from her ascension at 18 in 1837 to the birth of her first child in 1840, blending political machinations, forbidden desires, and exquisite costumes into a tapestry so gorgeously acted and emotionally rich that fans are declaring it “the closest thing to perfection we’ve seen in years.” With Coleman’s luminous performance anchoring a star-studded ensemble, Victoria isn’t just a royal romp—it’s a riveting exploration of power, love, and legacy that grips from the first frame and refuses to let go.
The series opens with a bang: the death of King William IV thrusts 18-year-old Alexandrina Victoria (Coleman, channeling wide-eyed determination and steely resolve) onto the throne, shattering the Kensington System that caged her under her mother’s thumb. Surrounded by scheming uncles and ambitious politicians, Victoria navigates her first steps as monarch with the help of her shrewd Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell, all silver-tongued charm and hidden vulnerabilities). Season 1 pulses with the thrill of newfound freedom—Victoria’s secret crush on Melbourne, her clashes with the Duchess of Kent (Catherine Hiegel), and the intoxicating rush of absolute power—culminating in her pivotal meeting with Prince Albert (Tom Hughes, whose brooding intensity sparks instant chemistry). As the seasons unfold, the drama deepens: Season 2’s Chartist riots test Victoria’s mettle, while Season 3’s family expansion and Albert’s growing influence weave personal joys with public duties, all against a backdrop of revolutions sweeping Europe.
Coleman’s Victoria is a revelation—petulant and passionate, vulnerable yet voracious—earning her a Golden Globe nomination and comparisons to Claire Foy’s Elizabeth II. Hughes’ Albert is her perfect foil, their on-screen romance (mirroring their real-life 2016-2020 relationship) crackling with intellectual fire and tender longing. The supporting cast is a who’s who of British talent: Jenna Coleman shines alongside Eve Myles as the fiery Baroness Lehzen, David Oakes as the duplicitous King Leopold, and Daniela Holtz as the calculating Duchess of Coburg. Goodwin’s script balances historical fidelity with soapy splendor—think Chartist uprisings intercut with stolen kisses—while costume designer Rosalind Ebbutt crafts gowns that are works of art, from Victoria’s coronation finery to Albert’s impeccably tailored coats.
Critics raved: an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Season 3 hitting 92%, and The Guardian calling it “light, good-looking Sunday evening best.” Fans echo the praise: “More enjoyable than The Crown—Coleman’s Victoria is fire!” one tweeted, while another gushed, “The tension, the yearning, the politics… binge-worthy perfection.” Since its Netflix arrival, Victoria has clocked millions of hours viewed, outpacing Bridgerton in the UK Top 10 and drawing U.S. audiences craving post-Crown royalty.
In a streaming landscape bloated with reboots, Victoria stands as a timeless triumph—proof that the best historical dramas aren’t just pretty dresses and palaces; they’re about the fierce hearts beating beneath. Stream all three seasons now; your weekend throne awaits. For Wolf Hall and Downton devotees, this is the royal fix you’ve been craving—jaw-dropping, addictively beautiful, and utterly unmissable.
