© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Public Invited to Free WSIU Masterpiece Event on Thu, Jan 12

Courtesy of ITV Plc.

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Contacts: Ellen Carlson, Associate Director – Corporate Support, WSIU Public Broadcasting, (618) 453-6196, ellen.carlson@wsiu.org; Monica Tichenor, Promotions Director, WSIU Public Broadcasting, (618) 453-6160, monica.tichenor@wsiu.org

WSIU to Host Free Preview Screening Event of New PBS “Masterpiece” Series “Victoria”

Carbondale, Ill.WSIU Public Broadcasting, the public media stations of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, invite the general public to celebrate the upcoming premiere of the new MASTERPIECE series Victoria by attending a free preview screening of the seven-part series on Thursday, January 12 at 7pm at the Marion Cultural & Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza in Marion, Ill. The event and program broadcasts on WSIU-TV are sponsored locally by Southern Illinois Healthcare and Terri Harvey of Century 21.

WSIU will screen the first hour of episode one of the seven-part series, which will air on WSIU-TV on Sundays at 8pm beginning January 15. Additional activities for guests include door prizes and a “selfie station” featuring a life-sized cutout of series character Victoria and a Victoria set backdrop, with the opportunity to have individual photos taken by local photographer Jenn Fortune of Carterville, Ill. Guests are invited, but not required, to dress in Victorian-era attire. Paid concessions also will be available.

Special guest speaker Dr. K.K. Collins, a Distinguished Teacher and Professor of Victorian British Literature in SIU’s Department of English, will introduce the program. Collins will share common misconceptions about Queen Victoria and discuss the role and power of the monarchy when she took the throne.

Registration is required at http://www.wsiu.org/victoria, via email at rsvp@wsiu.org, or by calling (618) 453-6122.

Jenna Coleman (of Doctor Who fame) stars as the young Queen Victoria at the outset of her epic reign. Following Victoria from her accession to the throne at age 18, through her education in politics, courtship, and marriage, Victoria paints a portrait of a monarch who wasted no time in showing the empire who was in charge. The stellar cast includes Rufus Sewell as Lord Melbourne, the British prime minister who was Victoria’s father figure and intimate friend, and Tom Hughes as the handsome, brilliant, and awkward Prince Albert, who stole Victoria’s heart after a rocky start.

Victoria is a coproduction of Mammoth Screen and MASTERPIECE. It is created, written, and executive produced by Daisy Goodwin. The director is Tom Vaughn (He Knew He Was Right). The directors are Sandra Goldbacher and Olly Blackburn. The producer is Paul Frift (Restless). The executive producers are Dan McCulloch and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen and Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE, presented by WGBH Boston. It is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

DVDs and other Victoria items are available at shopPBS.org.

About WSIU

WSIU Public Broadcasting is licensed to the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University and is an integral part of the College of Mass Communication & Media Arts on the Carbondale campus. The WSIU stations reach more than three million people across five states and beyond through three digital public television channels, three public radio stations, a radio information service, a website, and an education and community outreach unit.

WSIU's mission is to improve the quality of life of the people they serve. The WSIU stations partner with other community organizations to promote positive change and to support the academic and public service missions of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Learn more and get the latest station news online at wsiu.org and on WSIU's Facebook and Twitter pages.

WSIU's programs and services are partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

About MASTERPIECE

The top-rated primetime show on PBS, MASTERPIECE is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2016. MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. Rebecca Eaton is Executive Producer. Funding for the series is provided by Viking River Cruises with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust. MASTERPIECE is known for presenting iconic shows such as Upstairs Downstairs, Prime Suspect, The Forsyte SagaPoldark, Sherlock and Downton Abbey.  

About PBS

PBS, with over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 103 million people through television and over 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

About WGBH

WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Frontline, NOVA, American Experience, MASTERPIECE, Antiques Roadshow, Arthur, Curious George, and more than a dozen other primetime, lifestyle, and children's series. WGBH also is a major supplier of programming for public radio, and oversees Public Radio International (PRI). As a leader in educational multimedia for the classroom, WGBH supplies content to PBS LearningMedia, a national broadband service for teachers and students. WGBH also is a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to those with hearing or visual impairments. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors. More information is available at www.wgbh.org.

About Mammoth Screen

Mammoth Screen is one of the UK’s leading production companies. Current productions include Poldark II, based on the novels by Winston Graham and adapted by Debbie Horsfield, and The Witness for the Prosecution, an adaptation by Sarah Phelps of the Agatha Christie story, both for BBC ONE; NW, adapted by Rachel Bennette from the novel by Zadie Smith, and The City and the City, adapted by Tony Grisoni from the novel by China Miéville, both for BBC TWO; Endeavour IV, the Inspector Morse prequel series written by Russell Lewis and Victoria, written by Daisy Goodwin, both for ITV, and Agatha Raisin, based on novels by MC Beaton and adapted by Stewart Harcourt for Sky One.

About ITV Studios Global Entertainment

ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) is one of the world’s leading international TV distribution, home entertainment, publishing, merchandising, and licensing businesses. ITVS GE distributes celebrated content across all genres from both its in-house production business, ITV Studios, and in collaboration with leading producers from around the world. Part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, ITV Studios Global Entertainment has offices in London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Sydney.

#  #  #

As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.