Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – Release date, cast, trailer and news
It's time to return to the Ton.
We might still be waiting patiently for news on Bridgerton season 3 but, in the meantime, new Netflix spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is keeping us entertained.
The recently released spin-off series, which also comes from Shonda Rhimes, delves into the historical union between Queen Charlotte and King George III and his mental health struggles, as well as how Queen Charlotte's reign leads to a huge societal shift in the Ton and how she became the impetuous, short-tempered and influential Queen we see in Bridgerton.
India Amarteifio leads the cast as a young Queen Charlotte and stars opposite TV newcomer Corey Mylchreest (King George).
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Golda Rosheuvel plays the irreverent monarch in Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2 and is set to reprise the role for Bridgerton season 3 – and she also stars in this new spin-off in a present-day arc.
The spin-off follows recent debate between historians about whether the real Queen Charlotte may have had a distant ancestor who was Black. Bridgerton's version of the character marks her as the first monarch of colour in the UK, ushering in greater diversity amongst the Ton.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press about the series, Arsema Thomas, who plays the role of young Agatha Danbury, recently spoke about the importance of the show's racial representation.
“I think this representation is important because when I look at the show, I am both excited that it exists because nothing like it exists but sad that it is the first of its kind to exist. This idea of a period drama with the lead being a Black queen and then supported by another Black woman of aristocracy – that has never happened.
"For all of the beauty and creativity that fiction gives us, it feels like the period genre is so ruled in accuracy but when it comes to everything else but race, accuracy doesn’t seem to matter."
As with Bridgerton, the prequel series is produced by Shonda Rhimes’s company Shondaland. Rhimes will also be teaming up with Bridgerton author Julia Quinn to write a new Queen Charlotte-focused novel, which is set to be released alongside the show.
Wondering what other characters from Bridgerton will appear? Read on for everything you need to know about Netflix's Bridgerton prequel about Queen Charlotte.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story release date
The Queen Charlotte spin-off series of Bridgerton landed on Netflix on Thursday 4th May 2023.
Netflix announced on 14th May 2021 that the Bridgerton universe would be expanding with the Queen Charlotte spin-off.
"Many viewers had never known the story of Queen Charlotte before Bridgerton brought her to the world, and I’m thrilled this new series will further expand her story and the world of Bridgerton," Netflix head of global TV Bela Bajaria told Deadline.
"Shonda and her team are thoughtfully building out the Bridgerton universe so they can keep delivering for the fans with the same quality and style they love. And by planning and prepping all the upcoming seasons now, we also hope to keep up a pace that will keep even the most insatiable viewers totally fulfilled."
"I'm especially thrilled to have the opportunity to write about Queen Charlotte, who was not in the original novels," Rhimes shared in a statement. "Her character - and Golda Rosheuvel's brilliant portrayal of her - was a tour de force, and I think readers will love getting a chance to know her more deeply."
Rhimes also shared her thoughts on writing the character for the show. "Queen Charlotte has been such a moving character to write," she said, adding that collaborating with Quinn is "an exciting opportunity".
"I can't wait for fans of this universe to read the story of a character that has resonated so deeply with our audience."
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story cast
The following cast members have been revealed for the Queen Charlotte spin-off from Bridgerton.
- Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
- India Amarteifio as younger Queen Charlotte
- Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury
- Arsema Thomas as younger Agatha Danbury
- Ruth Gemmell as Violet, Dowager Countess Bridgerton
- James Fleet as King George III
- Corey Mylchreest as younger King George III
- Michelle Fairley as Dowager Princess Augusta
- Hugh Sachs as Brimsley
- Sam Clemmett as a younger Brimsley
- Richard Cunningham as Lord Bute
- Tunji Kasim as Adolphus
- Rob Maloney as the Royal Doctor
- Cyril Nri as Lord Danbury.
The series will be centred around Queen Charlotte (played by Golda Rosheuvel in Bridgerton) and her reimagined origin story.
The role of a younger Queen Charlotte will be portrayed in the prequel by Sex Education star India Amarteifio, who is not the bride the British Royal Family were expecting.
Meanwhile, Corey Mylchreest will portray a handsome young King George, while newcomer Arsema Thomas will portray a young Agatha Danbury AKA Lady Danbury.
Game of Thrones veteran Michelle Fairley will portray Princess Augusta, with the official description noting her as being "determined to maintain her family’s power".
It adds that "the Dowager Princess does what it takes to secure her son’s place as monarch amidst a changing, modernising Britain".
Other cast members include Sam Clemmett as a young Brimsley, Richard Cunningham as Lord Bute, Tunji Kasim as Adolphus, Rob Maloney as the Royal Doctor, and Cyril Nri as Lord Danbury.
Meanwhile, Rosheuvel will reprise her role as an older Queen Charlotte, opposite Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Ruth Gemmell as Violet, Dowager Countess Bridgerton, and Hugh Sachs as Brimsley.
As Bridgerton's showrunner Chris Van Dusen previously stated: "Bridgerton isn't a history lesson. Our show is for a modern audience, featuring modern themes and characters, so we took liberties in our re-imagining.
"Our take on race in the series is an example of how we mixed history within a fictional world... Bridgerton is not a colourblind world. That would imply race isn't considered.
"Race is considered, and there are many historians who believe that Queen Charlotte was England's first mixed-race queen. That theory resonated with us hugely.
"What if Queen Charlotte was recognised as being of mixed-race in 1813? What would that look like? What would happen? What if this Queen of England used her power to elevate other people of colour in that society? And that's where the fictional part came in."
The synopsis reveals the show to be a "limited prequel series based on the origins of Queen Charlotte, that will centre on the rise and love life of a young Charlotte. The spinoff will also tell the stories of young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury.”
Is there a trailer for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story?
Yes! The official trailer teases the dramatic and often times explosive relationship between Queen Charlotte and King George. Watch it below:
But that's not all, oh no. Another first-look trailer was unveiled as part of Netflix's TUDUM event, teasing an awkward meeting between the pair.
Another teaser trailer landed in February 2023. Watch it below:
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is available to stream on Netflix now. Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2 are also available to stream. You can buy The Viscount Who Loved Me and the Bridgerton book series on Amazon.
Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the best series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
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