Courting Disaster

Jenny Platt on joining the steamy period drama for its turbulent last series

- Sean Marland

New Period Drama

Versailles Monday, BBC2 Hd, 9pm

Lavish period drama Versailles returns this week for a third and final series of raunchy goings-on and deadly machinations at the court of 17th-century French king Louis XIV.

In the golden halls of Versailles, Louis (George Blagden), with his brother Philippe (Alexander Vlahos) by his side, is basking in being more powerful than ever, havingdefeated the Dutch in a gruelling war. But new enemies are soon gathering at the royal court, while the king’s subjects have had enough of paying for his wars and extravagant lifestyle.

One of those who has seen at first hand the misery caused by Louis is Jeanne (former Coronation Street actress Jenny Platt, who played Violet Wilson). In the course of the series she will shake up Versailles and the whole of France.