Critical reviews for Netflix’s latest Regency romance series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story have reached a verdict, praising the royalty-centered story as more satisfying than Bridgerton. The series is a prequel spin-off of Chris Van Dusen’s romance series set during the Regency period. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story follows the titular monarch (Golda Rosheuvel), shining light on her younger self’s (India Amarteifio) rise to power.
With Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story now streaming, critics shared their thoughts on whether the first spin-off tale manages to live up to its main show. The critical consensus states that Queen Charlotte not only maintains the charm of the main series but adds depth to its titular character and her presence across the first two seasons. Furthermore, some critics explain that the show’s central character explorations alongside the lavish everyday lives of Regency England allow it to stand firmly on its own merits outside of the main Bridgerton series. Check out the reviews below:
Alison Herman, Variety
“Queen Charlotte” ends up with the best of both worlds. The union of a 17-year-old Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and a freshly crowned King George III (Corey Mylchreest) — yes, that King George — occurs in the premiere, opening the door for all that comes after courtship, both emotional and physical. Their marriage ends up touching on matters of race, mental health, bodily autonomy and, eventually, the meaning of desire and long-term partnership past middle age, all issues treated with due gravity without killing the fantasy.
Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter
“A happy ending may not be in the stars for these two, at least not in the way we’ve come to expect from this series. But by the time we catch up with an older Charlotte and an older George in the finale — still able, despite everything they’ve been through, to see each other as the beautiful souls they first fell in love with — Queen Charlotte has made the case that the battles we fight for love are precisely what makes it so rewarding.”
Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly
“Queen Charlotte is only six episodes, and it’s not yet clear whether Rhimes and Netflix are interested in making more. There is certainly plenty of story left to tell, as the prequel only covers about a year of the King and Queen’s marriage. It feels strange to root for a brand extension, but young Queen Charlotte’s is a universe worth exploring further.”
Sabrina Barr, Metro
“We wouldn’t be at all surprised if some Bridgerton fans dub the Queen Charlotte spin-off their favourite release from the franchise. All of the elements of the world that viewers have come to know and love are wrapped up with a diamond-encrusted bow, and we desperately hope that this isn’t the last that we see of the younger versions of Queen Charlotte and King George, as well as their peers in the Ton.”
Sherin Nicole, Geek Girl Riot
“Throughout six-episodes and two time periods, we watch Young Charlotte wrestle with marriage, prejudice, expectations, and the monarchy; while OG Charlotte (the original gangster) deals with the fallout. The two Charlottes are so good, their performances become a form of hypnotism. Thomas is fabulous and The Ladies Danbury are still our heroes, no one has the depth and magnetism they do. The series is the same, unfolding like a six-course feast, made to delight you, satiate you, and keep you in your seat to indulge in more. It’s lovely but it isn’t gentle. Those were not easy times and that injection of truth makes Queen Charlotte more tangible.”
Emily Zemler, Observer
“It may not be a love story in the way the Bridgerton seasons are love stories, but the relationships in the series are generally interesting, including Charlotte and George’s complicated marriage. Rhimes is a smart writer and showrunner, who knows how to give people what they want while sliding her own ideas in. In its best moments, that’s what Queen Charlotte does: offers lavish escapism with a hint of social commentary.”
Lisette Lanuza Saenz, Fangirlish
“If there’s a thing Queen Charlotte does well it’s justify its existence. The narrative purpose of the show is pretty clear from the beginning, but the show never loses sight of the question it has to answer, as it tries to weave a tale of politics, family, and yes , love in front of our eyes. The answer to the question it poses, the question that justifies the show’s existence, might not be the one people expect — or even the one they want, but there is an answer.”
Brian Lowry, CNN
“Setting aside whether the world really needs the equivalent of a “Bridgerton Cinematic Universe,” Netflix has taken that predictable plunge with “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” a cleverly constructed prequel to producer Shonda Rhimes’ media darling. Reaching back to the origins of supporting players, the limited series offers additional insight to how this sumptuous society came to be, while showcasing its more mature denizens.”
Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
“In a big surprise, this six-episode Bridgerton tale — an origin story — is the best chapter in the popular romantic Netflix series.
How so? By being passionate and sexy and also wise in reflecting on what it means to truly love a complicated person in an era that demanded that everyone act and behave a certain way.”
Which Bridgerton Characters Will Appear In Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story travels back in time and explores the authoritative figure’s origin story before the Bridgerton siblings began their romantic journeys. Characters such as Queen Charlotte, Viscountess Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) take center stage, as the series depicts how they ascended in London high society, with Amarteifio, Arsema Thomas, and Connie Grieg taking on the roles of the main show cast member’s younger selves. Other existing characters within the Bridgerton world include Charlotte’s secretary Brimsley (Hugh Sachs), as Sam Clemmett portrays his younger version.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story‘s central dynamic is the relationship between Charlotte and King George III (Corey Mylchreest), portrayed in the original show by James Fleet. While George III was present in the original series, the monarch only made a handful of appearances, as his mental health condition declined through illness and tragedy, and he was cared for by Charlotte and the servants. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will explore how Charlotte and George III’s relationship blossomed as the pair first courted one another, leading to their long-lasting marriage.
With Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story earning a strong favorable reception from critics, it is clear that the Bridgerton franchise has a life beyond the main family’s tales. While the story steps away from the main ongoing narratives, Charlotte’s rise to power has gripped audiences with a tale as fascinating as the prior season’s protagonists. While it was only intended as a limited series, the show’s success could inspire Netflix to expand Bridgerton‘s Regency-era world, especially as the wait continues for the upcoming Bridgerton season 3.
