Costume drama: Lindsey Powell was cast in Victoria because of her ability to calm down granddaughter Ariana Clarke
A grandmother was given her acting own role in hit TV show Victoria after being drafted in to help calm down her granddaughter – who also stars in the show.
Asda worker Lindsey Powell, 53, was put into costume to get granddaughter Ariana Clarke used to the other actors in the show – which airs its season finale on Sunday (October 15).
She fitted in so well she was hired to play nanny to two-year-old Ariana’s character ‘baby Vicky’ – the first child of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria – in the ITV drama.
Ariana’s mum Jennifer Powell, 31, said: ‘When we turned up to film Ariana was a bit put off by everybody in big dresses and old clothing.
‘My mum had just come along to help for the day but they ended up putting her in costume to help keep Ariana calm and she did so well that the director kept her in for the scenes.
‘It’s quite surreal watching the series back now and seeing them both there.
‘Mum was really proud to be a part of it.
‘She’s a bit of a royalist and always loved all of it growing up so to be a part of the programme was special for her.
‘It was really strange for her to see herself in the programme because she watched the first series and was really into it.
‘Ariana did really well for such a young girl and the director said she was one of the best babies they’d ever had.
‘Every time she sees it on TV now she laughs and thinks she’s off to go play in the big castle with the queen.
‘Obviously, she called Jenna Coleman ‘mama’ on set and spent a lot of time with her.
‘She thinks she is her friend now and when she sees the programme on the TV she points and shouts ‘mama’ at the tele – it’s very cute.’
Big role for a little lady: Ariana Clarke with show stars Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes
Ariana auditioned for the show and won the part due to her remarkable resemblance to Queen VIctoria at the same age.
Jennifer, a former estate agent from Winsford, Cheshire, also has a seven-year-old daughter named Sienna who models.
She and her partner Lee Clarke, 35, are throwing everything into supporting their daughters’ careers.
Jennifer said: ‘It’s so strange seeing Ariana on the TV like that.
‘We’re just hoping it leads to more opportunities for her in the future.’