Rufus Sewell stars as the British PM in Victoria. Photo / Getty
He won the hearts of the nation as brooding Lord Melbourne in ITV's smash hit series Victoria.
And Rufus Sewell has admitted he's more than happy with his heartthrob status.
Speaking on Monday's This Morning, the 49-year-old actor revealed he had no idea how popular his portrayal of the British PM would be in the series which starred Jenna Coleman as Melbourne's monarch.
Rufus played the young sovereign's key adviser and first Prime Minister in the first series of the drama, but viewers were left heartbroken when Lord M turned down Victoria's proposal.
Showing the clip of the moment Rufus' Lord Melbourne insisted he couldn't marry his Queen on This Morning, the actor quipped: 'That was the moment she got Queen-zoned.'
Viewers then saw Victoria fall for and marry Albert, played by Jenna's real-life love beau Tom Hughes, while Rufus' character disappeared for the final episodes.
New York Times: Gripping new thriller looks at a woman whose life is upended by a novel.