Jenna Coleman has become a Queen Victoria "geek" since filming the miniseries 'Victoria'.

Jenna Coleman

Jenna Coleman

The 30-year-old actress portrays the former monarch - who reigned for 39 years - in the forthcoming period drama and is "obsessed" with finding out new things about the late royal.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz, she said: "I've got really geeky about Victoria, I've been obsessed with reading facts and things about her, I've got to stop now. "

Meanwhile, the former 'Doctor Who' star said that her own diary isn't as "interesting" as Victoria's life.

She admitted: "When I was 18 I was auditioning for drama school and I was working in a bar while my friends went on a gap year before going to university, my 18th year is nowhere near as interesting as Victoria's life. My most interesting year would be this year!"

The brunette beauty previously admitted she had to be persuaded to take on the role of someone so "iconic", but she realised she would be "crazy" to turn it down.

She said: "I think when taking on something so iconic, and someone who really existed, I think there's also going to be concern that you can do it to the best of your ability.

"Ultimately, the more I read, the more it unfolded in front of me and it was impossible to turn down.

"I think I would crazy if I do. It's a gift. It's an absolute gift to be able to explore and try and bring this to life."

And although she didn't jump at the chance to play Victoria in the show, the executive producer Dan McCulloch didn't want anyone else but Jenna to play her.

He explained: "It [casting Jenna] was the easiest thing in the whole thing. It was actually persuading Jenna that was the challenge. Of course it was going to be Jenna, there's no one else but Jenna ... There is only Jenna who has the star quality and, if I'm allowed to say, diminutive power to be this queen. It was very easy."

'Victoria' hits television screens on August 28 on ITV.


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