Everything You Need To Know About Jenna Coleman

Prepare yourselves, the third season of Victoria is airing on Sunday the 24th of March...

Jenna Coleman

by Grazia Contributor |
Published on

This Sunday night she will light up our TV screens in the third season of ITV's Victoria– a drama based on the early life of the UK's second longest ruling monarch, Queen Victoria. Known previously for her role as Doctor Who's 11th and 12th series companion, Clara Oswald, it is fair to say that playing Queen Victoria elevated Jenna Coleman to the ranks of stardom when the series first aired in 2017.

So if you don't know who Jenna Coleman is now, firstly: where have you been for the last two years? And secondly, here's everything you need to know (including that right before Meghan appeared she had to deny rumours that she was dating Prince Harry)...

Jenna Coleman's early life

Jenna was born in Blackpool on 27th April 1986, and was clearly destined to play leading roles because she was awarded the position of head girl at school. Respect.

She was a member of a theatre company in her younger years – Yer Space – and starred in a show at Scotland's famous Edinburgh Festival, for which she won an award.

Her breakout role was in Emmerdale

Jenna never went to university, but did audition for drama school. During the process – as luck/talent would have it – she managed to land herself a role in Brit soap Emmerdale. Taking on the part of Jasmine Thomas – at just 19 years old – Jenna parked her drama school ambitions and dedicated the next four years of her career to the role.

She went on to be nominated for 'Most Popular Newcomer' at the National Television Awards in 2006, and 'Best Newcomer' at the British Soap Awards in 2007.

Her first entree into period drama was a role in BBC4's Room At The Top

She starred as Susan Brown from the John Braine novel, which eventually aired after a rights dispute in 2012.

Jenna made her film debut in Captain America: The First Avenger

Jenna starred as Connie in the superhero film based on Marvel's famed comics Captain America. Following that, she appeared in Julian Fellowes (of Downton Abbey fame's) TV mini series, Titanic, all about... well, we're sure you can make an educated guess!

Hopping forward from the early 1900s to the 1930s, Jenna then appeared in the wildly successful Golden Globe-winning series Dancing on the Edge, alongside BAFTA award-winning actor Chiwetel Ejiofor.

BBC's Doctor Who put Jenna on the map

From 2012-2015, Jenna starred as Clara Oswald in the BBC series Doctor Who, a show conceived in 1963 to tell the tale of a space and time-travelling humanoid alien, exploring the universe in his time-travelling shapeship, the TARDIS.

Jenna left the show last year, and told The Independent of her departure: 'When I left Doctor Who, the first thing I said was, "I just don't want to do a series for a while". And then Damien [the producer on Victoria] took me out to lunch...'

She later added, 'I started Doctor Who knowing it was only going to last a certain amount of time and I couldn't be happier with what I've had, and got, from it. It was so wonderful, you kind of wish that for the next person [who takes on the role of the Doctor's companion].'

What a way to pass the baton!

She's friends with Prince Harry

Jenna isn't just Royal on screen - she's actually brushed with monarchy in real life. The internet went mental in 2016 when Jenna was photographed on the night of a charity polo match, enjoying a tête–à–tête with none other than Prince Harry.

In fact - she even had to confirm on Good Morning Britain that her and the Prince were just friends and not in a romantic relationship (these were obviously the pre-Meghan days). 'He's a friend of mine,' Jenna confirmed, 'he is, yes.' - we guess you'd call that method acting?

She has an eye for style

During promo events for Victoria, Jenna has opted for a number of modern – yet feminine – labels, such as Victoria Beckham, Erdem and Peter Pillotto. But her red carpet appearances to date have also featured more long-standing labels, including Louis Vuitton and Burberry.

We'll be monitoring her style choices closely from now on, because we've a feeling we're onto a goodun' here....

And what about romance...?

Jenna is currently in a relationship with her Victoria co-star Tom Hughes (who incidentally plays Prince Albert to her Queen Victoria - is this life imitating art?) the two have tactically kept their relationship low key 'I think it's been very wise not to speak about it' Jenna said in a recent interview, also stating that while she would 'love' to have children 'I want to take my time. There’s a whole lot more of the world for me to see first.' Prior to her current relationship, Jenna dated ex-Game of Thrones star Richard Madden on and off from 2012-2015.

READ MORE: Inside The Party Where Prince Harry Met Jenna

READ MORE: How To Get Jenna Coleman's Beautiful Beauty Look From The BAFTAs

READ MORE: Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo! Nine Designers Re-imagine Cinderella's Glass Slipper

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