Jenna Coleman was an immediate hit with fans when she first appeared as assistant Clara Oswald in Doctor Who in 2012. Three years on, and it seems the actress has decided to leave the iconic BBC sci-fi show after landing a major role in a new £10million ITV drama.According to the Mirror, Jenna, 29, has signed up to play Queen Victoria in an upcoming eight-part series, playing the monarch from when she became queen as an 18-year-old in 1837. "Jenna clinching the role has been a closely guarded secret," a source revealed. "There's a lot of excitement about the series."
© Photo: Getty ImagesJenna Coleman has reportedly landed a role playing young Queen Victoria in an upcoming ITV series
The show, simply titled Victoria, is being brought to the small screen by the same producers behind Poldark, and is penned by novelist Daisy Goodwin. It's thought that Jenna has already filmed her final Doctor Who scenes, which are due to be screened just before the Christmas special.The news comes a few days after Jenna's co-star Peter Capaldi praised the young star – and went as far to say he's not sure the dynamic between the 12th Doctor and his companion would have worked with another actress.
© Photo: Getty ImagesJenna Coleman with her Doctor Who co-star Peter Capaldi
"It has no equivalent in TV or fiction, a friendship between an alien creature and an extremely bright, clever and brave young woman," Peter, 57, told the Radio Times. "It's unusual for a man of my age to be friendly with such a youthful lady. She wants to go out into the universe and enjoy herself, happy to be reckless and in danger. "I was so lucky it was Jenna because it might not have worked with anyone else. It's tricky to come into a long-established show, especially as the lead and Jenna has proved to be a wonderful actress and friend."
