Hartlepool becomes film set for hit ITV drama Victoria

A new series of the hit ITV drama Victoria has been filming at Hartlepool's historic quay.
Actor Peter Bowles (left) during the filming of Victoria at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REIDActor Peter Bowles (left) during the filming of Victoria at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID
Actor Peter Bowles (left) during the filming of Victoria at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID

Numerous film production vehicles filled the car park of the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool earlier this week.

Actor Peter Bowles – best known from To The Manor Born and hospital sitcom Only When I Laugh – who plays the Duke of Wellington in Victoria was spotted along with extras wearing period military dress.

The filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REIDThe filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REID
The filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REID
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A spokesman for the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool said: “There has been an ITV drama filmed there.

“The assets across the National Museum of the Royal Navy are always being asked to feature in documentaries and film and it is a really good way of boosting revenue.

“Film tourism we know is a great way to attract visitors so where possible we always try to accommodate these requests.”

The attraction was closed to the public for one day on Thursday due to the filming.

The filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REIDThe filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REID
The filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REID
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The first series of Victoria was ITV’s top rated drama of last year pulling in an average of 7.7 million viewers a week.

It stars Jenna Coleman who plays the young Queen Victoria and Tom Hughes as Prince Albert.

Writer and executive producer Daisy Goodwin said when the second series was commissioned: “Even though she reigned in the 19th Century, Victoria is a heroine for our times. In the next series she faces the very modern dilemma of how to juggle children with her husband and her job.

“As Victoria will discover, it’s hard to be a wife, a mother and ruler of the most powerful nation on earth!”

The filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REIDThe filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REID
The filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REID
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No date for when the second series will hit TV screens has been announced yet.

Victoria is the latest in a long line of TV shows to be filmed partly in Hartlepool.

Just last week Russell Brand surprised staff and customers of Uppal Cutz hairdressers in Warren Road when he called in.

The Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor, author and activist was in town for Hospital People, a new BBC comedy series being filmed at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

The filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REIDThe filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REID
The filming of Victoria at the Hartlepool Historic Quay. Picture by FRANK REID
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Co-star and Harry Potter actor Mark Williams dined at the Mumbai Indian restaurant the week before.

Hartlepool has also been used for filming of other popular dramas including George Gently and Vera.

A former council depot in Lynn Street is being transformed into what is planned to be the biggest film studio outside of London.