TV Show review
August 28, 2016 · 45 min · TV-PG
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Victoria is a British ITV historical drama series created by Daisy Goodwin that follows Queen Victoria from her sudden accession to the throne at age 18 in 1837 through her early marriage to Prince Albert and key events of the 1830s and 1840s, including court life, political duties, and family matters. The story highlights her personal growth, romantic relationships, and efforts to strengthen the monarchy during a time of economic and political change in Britain. Light emphasis appears on Victoria’s spirit and agency as a young woman in a male-dominated world, shown through dramatized personal drama and romance rather than heavy modern messaging.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Victoria.
Woke representation / casting
Traditional all-white British and European cast perfectly suited to 19th-century British monarchy and aristocracy; no audience-visible forced diversity, race or gender swaps, or identity signaling.
Woke political dialogue
Scenes of parliament, royal influence, and events like the Irish famine appear as straightforward historical context without modern activist language or systemic critiques of empire or power.
Identity-driven story themes
Recurring spotlight on a young woman finding her voice and strength in a man’s world, drawn from Victoria’s real position but given extra romantic and empowering framing typical of prestige drama.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Court intrigues and occasional government shortfalls are shown, yet the series ultimately portrays the monarchy positively as revitalized by Victoria; no modern anti-patriarchy, toxic masculinity, or anti-Western institutional attacks.
Woke character or canon changes
Added fictional subplots and heightened romance (especially the Melbourne crush) have drawn accuracy complaints, but these serve entertainment rather than ideological rewriting of history or figures.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Only standard historical nitpicking and minor production gripes; complete absence of woke-related backlash, forced-diversity complaints, or identity-politics debate in mainstream or social media coverage.
Creator track record context
Daisy Goodwin has discussed industry sexism and gender standards publicly, yet her body of work centers on accessible historical and lifestyle entertainment without a pattern of activist-driven content shaping this series.
Production
