For Immediate Release
Friday, December 29, 2017
Contacts: Brian Flath, Assistant Director – Corporate Support, WSIU Public Broadcasting, (618) 453-4286, brian.flath@wsiu.org; Katrina Stackhouse, Marketing & Digital Services Manager, WSIU Public Broadcasting, (618) 453-6258, katrina.stackhouse@wsiu.org
Caption for attached photo: Signature image for VICTORIA SEASON 2 on MASTERPIECE. Photo: Courtesy of ITV Studios 2017 for MASTERPIECE
Public Invited to Two Free Preview Events for Season Two of PBS Drama Series “Victoria”; Events to be held January 4 in Carbondale, January 11 in Mt. Vernon
Carbondale, Ill. – WSIU Public Broadcasting, the public media stations of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, invite the general public to attend two free preview screenings of the second season of Victoria on MASTERPIECE.
The first screening will be held on Thursday, January 4 at 7pm at The Varsity Center, 418 S. Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. Doors will open at 6:15pm. The second event will take place on Thursday, January 11 at 7pm at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, 2600 Richview Road in Mt. Vernon, Ill. Doors will open at 6:30pm.
Registration is requested for both events at www.wsiu.org/victoria.
The screenings and upcoming broadcast of the second season of Victoria on WSIU Public Television are sponsored locally by Southern Illinois Healthcare, The Varsity Center, and Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.
In addition to the season preview, guests will enjoy door prizes and a royal selfie station featuring a Victoria set backdrop and life-sized cutout of series characters Victoria, Prince Albert, and Lord Melbourne. Guests are welcome, but not required, to dress in Victorian-era attire. Refreshments will be provided by Cristaudo’s Café, Bakery & Catering of Carbondale, Ill. Beverages also will be available for purchase.
Season two of Victoria on MASTERPIECE will air on WSIU Public Television on Sundays at 8pm from January 14-February 25.
In season two, Jenna Coleman returns for a new season as the young queen who wants it all –romance, power, an heir, and personal freedom. Joining the cast in the new season is legendary actress Dame Diana Rigg who plays the Duchess of Buccleuch, the court’s new Mistress of the Robes. Tom Hughes reprises his role as the queen’s dashing consort, Prince Albert, and Rufus Sewell returns as Lord Melbourne.
Victoria is a coproduction of Mammoth Screen and MASTERPIECE. It is created, written, and executive produced by Daisy Goodwin. It is being executive produced by Mammoth Screen Managing Director Damien Timmer, Kate McKerrell, and Paul Frift for Mammoth Screen. Rebecca Eaton is the Executive Producer for MASTERPIECE, presented by WGBH Boston. It is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
DVDs and other Victoriaitems 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 program on PBS, MASTERPIECE celebrated 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 and Farmers Insurance with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust. MASTERPIECE is known for presenting iconic shows such as Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Victoria, Prime Suspect, Poldark, and Wolf Hall.
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.
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