Everything to Know About ‘Bridgerton’ Prequel Series Set to Focus on Queen Charlotte

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix

Everything to Know About 'Bridgerton' Prequel Series Set to Focus on Queen Charlotte

Going back in time! Following the success of Netflix's Bridgerton series, it wasn't long before executive producer Shonda Rhimes invested in Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) on a larger scale. In December 2020, the regency show inspired by Julia Quinn's novels introduced viewers to the glamorous London social scene. At the center of the story was Queen Charlotte — a fictional character inspired by the real-life royal who ruled the U.K. until her death in 1818. Ahead of season 2, it was announced that Charlotte's story would be the focus of a new prequel series led by Rhimes. “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,” said Netflix's Head of Global TV Bela Bajaria in a statement in May 2021. “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.” Rosheuvel later hinted at what fans can expected from the upcoming series, sharing with E! News in March 2022, "I can tell you that it's an origin story. So you will be seeing a younger Queen Charlotte, I will be in it. We have no film date or any kind of scripts or anything at the moment." At the time, the Dune actress noted that other characters from the original Bridgerton series will be explored as well. "I'm really looking forward to what's going to come out," Rosheuvel added at the time. "We're going to still be in the world of Bridgerton. We're not moving away from the world that we know and love Queen Charlotte to be in. I think that's really clever, because it kind of keeps us on the same track." The Guyana native continued: "I think it's really going to be interesting to see where she has come from and the things that have led her to her in the Bridgerton that we know and love." Adjoa Andoh, whose character, Lady Danbury, will also appear in the prequel, pointed out that Bridgerton has already paved the way when it came to the friendships. "These relationships are long lived between Lady Danbury, Lady Bridgerton and the queen," Andoh shared with E!. "That's what the prequel is going to talk about. It's Shonda Rhimes writing it, so it is going to be fabulous." Scroll down for everything to know about the Bridgerton limited series: [podcast_block]

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What Is It About?

The prequel will follow Queen Charlotte in her youth alongside Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and Lady Danbury.

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Who Is In It?

In March 2022, India Amarteifio was cast in the role of young Queen Charlotte. Arsema Thomas will play young Lady Danbury and Corey Mylchreest as a young King George. Connie Jenkins-Greig was later added in the role of young Violet Ledger, prior to her marriage to Edmund Bridgerton.

Gemmell, Andoh and Rosheuvel will all reprise their roles from the original Netflix series.

Michelle Fairley, Arsema Thomas, Sam Clemmett, Richard Cunningham, Tunji Kasim, Rob Maloney, Cyril Uri and Hugh Sachs round out the cast.

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix

Where Did the Inspiration Come From?

During an interview with Variety in November 2021, Rhimes discussed how Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos played a role in bringing the prequel to life.

"I’ll be blunt, it was when Ted picked up the phone and called me and said, ‘Why aren’t we doing a show about Queen Charlotte? And will you write it?’" the Grey's Anatomy creator recalled the conversation that inspired the show. "I’m very obsessed with Queen Charlotte, and I always call her the Beyoncé of the show. I’m constantly saying out loud, ‘God, I love her wigs,' somehow hoping that somebody will send me one of her wigs so that I can walk around wearing it.”

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Has 'Bridgerton' Offered a Glimpse at the Prequel?

In season 1, the Netflix series offered a glimpse at Queen Charlotte's fractured marriage with King George (James Fleet) amid his mental health issues. Although the queen was able to keep George's state private initially, she was forced to confront it during season 2.

Amid Edwina Sharma's (Charithra Chandran) canceled wedding to Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), George ran into the room confused about where he was. Edwina's emotional speech offered viewers another look at how members of the ton saw Charlotte and George's relationship.  

Credit: Courtesy of Shonda Rhimes/Instagram

Is There a Script?

Rhimes, an executive producer on the project, teased a first look via Instagram in March 2022. While the series does not have a confirmed title just yet, the first episode is called, “Queen to Be.” Rhimes penned the script, which How to Get Away With Murder alum Tom Verica is set to direct. 

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Will There Be Plenty of Passion and Drama?

"It's definitely gonna have all the passion and the drama," Rosheuvel told E! News in April 2022. "You're going to see young Queen Charlotte, young Lady Danbury, young Violet [Bridgerton], young Brimsley. It's gonna be in the world of Bridgerton, so you're gonna see how they got to where they are now."

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Has Filming Started?

Rosheuvel was spotted on set in England in April 2022. In photos published by the Daily Mail, the actress donned one of her character’s signature ornate wigs while sitting in a luxury carriage.

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Are New Characters Joining 'Queen Charlotte'?

In June 2022, Deadline confirmed that British actors Katie Brayben and Keir Charles had been cast in the prequel as Vivian Ledger and Lord Ledger, respectively. Details about the new characters have not yet been released, but it has been hinted that they will both play a significant role in the story of Queen Charlotte's early days on the throne.

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What Does the 1st ‘Queen Charlotte’ Clip Reveal?

Netflix released the first peek of the spinoff during its TUDUM presentation in September 2022. In the clip, Charlotte unknowingly meets her future husband — the king — just as she’s trying to scale a garden hedge to escape their arranged nuptials.

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Who Is Playing Young Lady Danbury in 'Queen Charlotte'?

Shondaland announced in December 2022 that Arsema Thomas will play a teenage version of the British noblewoman.

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When Does ‘Queen Charlotte’ Premiere?

The Bridgerton spinoff is set to debut on May 4.

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What Does the 1st Teaser Reveal?

In February 2023, Netflix released the first look at the series which featured scenes from Charlotte's courtship with King George. It also included glimpses at a young Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton.

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Is There a Book to Accompany the Series?

The official Briderton Instagram account revealed in February 2023 that there would be a tie-in book for the prequel.

“Prepare yourselves for the love story that shook the monarchy. Behold the cover for #QueenCharlotte, a new novel inspired by the upcoming series,” the post read. “Available in the U.S. on May 9th. Pre-order at the link located in the bio.”

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What Did Fans Learn From the Trailer?

In March 2023, Netflix released the official trailer for the Bridgerton prequel, which showed the early days of Charlotte and George's romance. The couple, who share several steamy moments, face major ups and downs as they adjust to their union.

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What Can Fans Expect From the Limited Series?

“We’re going back in time to a very different era of costume, customs, the way things were done,” Rhimes explained in a behind-the-scenes featurette, which Netflix released in April 2023. “We’re always talking about how Queen Charlotte and King George made this new England possible, where we’re seeing integrated society and everybody’s got titles. I wanted to show how that came to be.”

Meanwhile, executive producer Betsy Beers broke down the different timelines in the limited series. “The primary time period of the series is Georgian England, when King George was the king of England,” she said. “We also have whole sections which take place in present-day Bridger-verse.”