The adaptations of Julia Quinn’s books on Netflix have been a success. It’s no wonder that Netflix and Shonda Rhimes thought it was a good idea to create the Bridgerton spin-off, Queen Charlotte. The series, consisting of six episodes, brings a unique story within the Bridgerton universe. It’s a more than successful spin-off that provides a substantial backstory for the original stories surrounding the Bridgerton children.
This time, there’s no complicated courtship; instead, it’s an arranged marriage for diplomatic gain. German Charlotte meets her future husband, English King George III, on her wedding day. There’s something going on with her future husband, but no one is willing to tell her what it is.
Charlotte decides to run away from her wedding but encounters a man. It turns out to be King George himself. After meeting him, she discovers that he is a normal, attractive, and kind man. The marriage proceeds, and the two happily tie the knot.
However, something is definitely amiss with King George. After the wedding, he isolates himself from the outside world and refuses to see his wife. Queen Charlotte quickly grows tired of her lonely marriage and seeks out her husband, if only to fulfill her sole duty: to ensure the continuity of the British royal bloodline.
A few steamy scenes later, and Charlotte is pregnant. But there is still no sign of a happy mutual marriage. George appears to have psychological problems. Can the two of them handle this challenging task at the helm of the monarchy?
Original Script
After seasons 1 and 2 of Bridgerton, the creators felt it was time to tell Queen Charlotte’s story. She had a supporting role in the first series but takes the lead in this spin-off. Unlike the first two seasons of Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte is not inspired by a book by Julia Quinn; it features an original script.
Of course, both King George III and Queen Charlotte were real historical figures, and the story is lightly based on their lives, with emphasis on “lightly” because this retelling did not happen exactly as depicted. Nevertheless, it provides a good foundation for a story that goes deeper than initially meets the eye.
What makes Bridgerton unique as a period piece is the casting of Black actors in prominent roles. Queen Charlotte explains how this came about. By marrying the King to a Black woman, it opened the doors for coloured, affluent members of the “ton.” This story is further told through the eyes of a young Lady Danbury, who made her appearance in Bridgerton. It’s a highly original script that not only tells Queen Charlotte’s story but also the changes for her subjects.
Queen Charlotte’s Excellent Casting
In Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury are portrayed by Golda Rosheuvel and Adjoa Andoh, respectively. The casting directors of Shondaland took this into strict consideration when casting their younger versions. India Amarteifio and Arsema Thomas have been excellently cast as the younger versions of these women. Not only do they resemble their older counterparts physically, but they also capture their mannerisms.
There is little to fault in the cast’s performances. India Amarteifio and Corey Mylchreest (King George) share excellent chemistry and convey the love story of this royal couple effectively. Even their footmen, Brimsley (Sam Clemmett) and Reynolds (Freddie Dennis), bring their forbidden love story to the small screen. These are two tales of tragic love that don’t always have a “happily ever after” ending, which sets Queen Charlotte apart as more of a drama compared to Bridgerton’s romantic comedy.
A sequel to Queen Charlotte seems unlikely. The love story of the royal couple has been told, and the series has concluded without an open ending. Therefore, one should not expect a second season of Queen Charlotte. However, Bridgerton will continue. Two of the eight children have already had their stories told, and in the third season, Colin and Penelope will take the spotlight. This season is expected to be available on Netflix in late 2023 or early 2024. Whether more characters will receive their spin-offs is currently unknown.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Betrothed against her will to King George, young Charlotte arrives in London on her wedding day and faces scrutiny from the monarch’s cunning mother.
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Cast: India Amarteifio, Adjoa Andoh, Golda Rosheuvel, Ruth Gemmell, Corey Mylchreest, and others.
Creator: Shonda Rhimes
