Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte Actor First Auditioned For Very Different Roles
The talent behind Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte, Golda Rocheuvel, divides that she originally auditioned for a very different role in the series.
Golda Rosheuvel, the highly talented thespian behind Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte, originally auditioned for a very different role in the Shondaland series. Bridgerton’s story begins in 1813, set during the Regency period of the Georgian era in British history. While most fictional tales seem to orbit around the royalty of the Prince Regent (the time period’s namesake) or the declining King George III, Bridgerton has placed Queen Charlotte at the center of its stage.
Last season, Her Majesty considered Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) to be the “diamond of the ton,” propelling her into society’s limelight and the Duke of Hasting’s (Regé-Jean Page) regard. But with a new season comes a new gem, this time in the form of Miss Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandram), who’s caught the attention of Daphne’s eldest brother, Lord Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey. From the look of things, though, it may be her sister, Kate (Simone Ashley), who catches the Viscount’s heart. Queen Charlotte’s interest seems to lie entirely elsewhere, however, and with an entirely different lady. Regally declared in the official trailer that “Lady Whistledown’s words carry far too much import,” it appears the monarch is determined to entrap the mysterious scribbler and unmask her identity.
In an interview with The Guardian, Rocheuvel divulged that she had originally auditioned for the role of Lady Danbury, confidante to the royal ruler and aunt of Simon Bassett. When the role was given to Adjoa Andoh, however, Rocheuvel was then asked to audition for the Queen. With only an afternoon to go about it, the actress managed to piece a few scenes together for a demo tape with the help of her partner, playwright Shireen Mula, and the rest is – as they say – history. See Rocheuvel’s full quote about receiving the good news below:
“I only really had an afternoon to do it in. But I told my agent: I’ll have a go. There was a part of me that didn’t quite believe it, because I never thought that anybody’s going to like what I do. But also part of me was jaw-droppingly excited.”
A highly recognizable actress with a long list of acting credits, Rocheuvel shared that she grew frustrated with the parts being offered to her: side note characters that were not integral to the story. After stepping away for a time, Rocheuvel re-entered the acting world in 2012 and soon found the kind of roles she both wanted and deserved. After playing a female Mercutio at the Globe, she starred in a series of plays at the Liverpool Everyman, which included her mold-breaking portrayal of Othello as an out lesbian General. In 2016, she joined Florence Pugh in the taut period drama, Lady Macbeth, and rejoined the cast of Silent Witness for a short stint in 2019. Her most recent and prominent role since appearing as Bridgerton’s sovereign, though, is the fremin housekeeper, Shadout Mapes, in Denis Villeneuve’s highly acclaimed iteration of Dune.
Shonda Rhimes’ and Chris Van Dusen’s decision to delve into the speculated history of the German Queen’s mixed heritage is an important one, and the “conscious casting” of Rocheuvel has provided much needed representation. Bridgerton fans will have the opportunity to bask once more in the royal delight that is Queen Charlotte during its upcoming season, but can also expect a Bridgerton spin-off series based solely around her in the future. Golda Rocheuvel has imbued the historical royal figure with momentous meaning, and it is exciting to know that both of them will have more opportunities to shine.
