The new Downton Abbey? ITV's Victoria set for 2017 Christmas special
ITV hit Victoria will air a Christmas special next year, the show's writer has confirmed today.
ITV's Victoria is getting a Christmas special in 2017
Prince Albert rips his shirt with a knife
The popular drama, starring Jenna Coleman as the monarch, was previously confirmed to be returning next year for a second series before the first had concluded.
Screenwriter Daisy Goodwin revealed that there would be a festive episode after its second outing, during a Q&A session with Radio Times.
Asked by a Twitter user if she had started writing the script for series two, she replied: "Yes I have! Much to the producer's relief."
Daisy continued: "It's not easy, but hope you will approve when it airs next year, autumn 2017 and xmas special."
Jenna Coleman plays in the monarch in the popular drama
Screenwriter Daisy Goodwin confirmed she is already working on the scripts
The star was also asked if the 2017 run would tell the story of Prince Albert's death back in 1861.
Daisy replied: "We will stay in the 1840s so Albert is safe… for now."
Another part of the session saw her admit that she will write as many series as possible, as there is "no shortage of story".
The Sunday night primetime show will come to its conclusion this weekend, with Jenna's Queen Victoria heavily pregnant.
The show will air its final episode of the first season on Sunday
The series has beaten Poldark in the ratings
Victoria has been a ratings winner, averaging 7.7 million viewers and beating the BBC's rival Poldark.
The 2017 season will bring the Queen into the next stage of her long reign as she manages scandal and the struggles of family life.
Daisy previously explained: "Even though she reigned in the 19th century, Victoria is a heroine for our times… she faces the very modern dilemma of how to juggle children with her husband and her job."
Victoria concludes on Sunday at 9pm on ITV.