The spin-off series improves the original show in one major way.
Netflix’s Regency-era series, Bridgerton, may have had an extended break between Seasons 2 and 3, but in the meantime, fans got to enjoy the spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which explores the early relationship between Bridgerton’s royals, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel and India Amarteifio) and King George III (James Fleet and Corey Mylchreest), but the prequel story connects to the original in many ways, even changing the dynamic between two fan-favorite Bridgerton characters. While the Bridgerton franchise focuses heavily on romance, there are a few great platonic relationships, like Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Eloise (Claudia Jessie) in Seasons 1 and 2, Violet (Ruth Gemmell) and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh and Arsema Thomas) , and even the playful sibling relationships among the Bridgertons provide a different kind of relationship that can be just as compelling.
Queen Charlotte adds another friendship to the list as it explores the connection between Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury. In the early seasons of Bridgerton, both of these women established themselves as powerful individuals who captured the hearts of fans, so throwing them together was obviously going to be a treat. Although each has different trials, both women come into their power at the same time, and as their paths cross, they help each other. Lady Danbury’s rank within the ton has always put her a touch closer to the Queen than others, but Queen Charlotte allows that perception to blossom into a friendship, which continues into Bridgerton Season 3. This friendship not only gives Lady Danbury more power than she would otherwise hold, but it helps to humanize the Queen, making it beneficial to both characters.
‘Queen Charlotte’ Is an Origin Story for Charlotte and Agatha Danbury
Queen Charlotte takes the audience back to 1761, decades before the events of Bridgerton. Depicting Charlotte’s arrival in England, the story shows her as a lonely young woman pushed into a role she doesn’t understand. Meanwhile, Agatha is not yet Lady Danbury at the beginning. Instead, she is in a loveless marriage with a much older gentleman. The couple is raised to Lord and Lady as part of the Great Experiment to hide the fact that the royal advisers didn’t know they selected a Black woman as Queen. This situation throws Agatha and Charlotte together as it is only through Charlotte that Agatha gains her position, yet that does not make them friends.
As Agatha becomes one of Charlotte’s ladies, she quickly turns into a confidant for the woman, making her one of the few to know the new Queen. Lady Danbury is interrogated by the King’s mother for information on Charlotte, giving her a bargaining chip as she attempts to raise her husband’s position. But, over time, Charlotte and Agatha establish a relationship where the newly minted lady can speak truthfully to the Queen, telling her realities that few are willing to share, such as her responsibility in the Great Experiment.
Agatha also helps Charlotte through her marital problems, explaining sex and being her chosen safe haven when the young Queen attempts to run away. In turn, the Queen helps to make Agatha’s ball a success by attending with the King and using her influence to ensure the Danbury title after Agatha’s husband dies. There will always be a level of separation because of the weight of Charlotte’s crown, but Agatha is one of the few people Charlotte trusts implicitly, and in turn, Agatha shows Charlotte genuine kindness while telling her the hard truths that few are bold enough to give the Queen.
This Friendship Benefits Both ‘Bridgerton’ Characters
Not only does it create an interesting story, but the friendship is good for both characters. Lady Danbury is in the rare position to reason with the Queen, and even more critical, she brings out Charlotte’s character. Especially in Bridgerton, Charlotte seems untouchable and unapproachable. As the Queen, she is a little removed from the crowd, no matter where she stands, and her instantly visible hairstyle certainly doesn’t help her blend in. Although constantly surrounded by people, Charlotte is set apart, which hides her character. Although she spends most of her time in Bridgerton raging at Lady Whistledown, Charlotte was always in need of a friend to show more of her true character, and Lady Danbury is the perfect combination of calm and clever to be that person.
Meanwhile, this friendship helps Lady Danbury as well. Throughout Queen Charlotte, Agatha becomes a leader in the Great Experiment, meeting with the Dowager Princess Augusta (Michelle Fairley) and Charlotte, who wields the true power. She leverages this position into a notable role in the ton, which she maintains in Bridgerton.
