Rob Rinder and Fern Riddell to uncover the truth of Queen Victoria’s hidden love in Channel 4 history doc

 Channel 4 has commissioned a 1x60 film to examine one of the great speculations of British royal history: how intimate was Queen Victoria’s relationship with her Highland servant John Brown?  In Queen Victoria’s Secret: The New Evidence (w/t), made by Impossible Factual, Rob Rinder and Dr Fern Riddell go on a journey across the country to uncover the truth behind the rumour of a romance between the widowed monarch and Scottish commoner. 

Based on research undertaken for her forthcoming book, the programme sees Fern unearth groundbreaking evidence that will transform the long-established historical view of Victoria after the death of Prince Albert, from grieving widow to a woman in passionate midlife. Rob will cast a sceptical eye over the evidence as the revelations continue to grow.

Emily Shields, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 says: “It’s so rare to find brand new evidence relating to well-known figures in history, but Dr Fern Riddell’s research into the relationship between Queen Victoria and John Brown is extraordinary. It will be thrilling to see Rob Rinder interrogate the details and ask if it’s time for the history of The Widow of Windsor to be re-written.”

Steve Maher, Creative Director of Impossible Factual and executive producer of the programme says: "This is a project that we’ve been developing with Fern for some time, and we are really excited to be working with Channel 4 to explore this compelling new take on the life and loves of Queen Victoria.”

Broadcast on Channel 4, 31st July alongside the same-day release of Dr Fern Riddell’s book, Victoria’s Secret, which will be published by Penguin. 

Queen Victoria’s Secret: The New Evidence (w/t)  is directed by Stephen Finnigan and produced by Hannah Richards. Steve Maher, Adam Luria and Jonathan Drake exec for Impossible Factual.

 International distribution handled by Sphere Abacus.