Here’s what the actresses look like without their corsets.
The six episodes of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story tell the love story of Queen Charlotte and King George, as well as flesh out backstories for Lady Danbury, Violet Bridgerton, and Brimsely. “I want people to feel like this is what happens with real love. Love is hard. Love is difficult. Love has many layers,” creator Shonda Rhimes says of the show. “The idea that the happy ending that we always talk about for characters doesn’t have to be the obvious one.”
In addition to the plot, one highlight of Queen Charlotte, is, without a doubt, the costumes. Just like Bridgerton, the world of Queen Charlotte is one filled with gorgeous gowns, jewels, and wigs. Naturally, fans may be curious to wonder what all the actors and actresses look like in real life—outside of those opulent clothes. Here, see the cast of Queen Charlotte in real life and modern day:
India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte
Newcomer India Amarteifio stars as a young Queen Charlotte in the prequel. She made her debut on the West End at age 10 as a young Nala in The Lion King, and has appeared in various TV shows, including The Tunnel, Sex Education, and Doctor Who. This is her first major role.
Arsema Thomas as Young Lady Agatha Danbury
Arsema Thomas, who plays young Lady Danbury, had a winding path to acting: she first studied biophysics at Carnegie Mellon University, and got her masters of public health from Yale in 2018. However, she decided to pursue acting, and got an MFA from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in 2022.
Corey Mylchreest as Young King George III
Corey Mylchreest stars as young King George, and this is his first major role. “He’s an incredibly complicated character, and a blessing of a character to be able to play,” Mylchreest says of the monarch. “Throughout the course of the series, the places that George goes to… well, I’ll wait for everyone to tune in and see it, but there’s an entire palette and spectrum of emotions and physical places that are demanded of whoever it is would’ve been to play George. And I’m very lucky that it was me.”
Sam Clemmett
Sam Clemmett, who starred as Albus Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, appears as Brimsley, Queen Elizabeth’s trusted butler and ally.
Michelle Fairley
Michelle Fairley, whom you may recognize from playing Catelyn Stark on Game of Thrones, joins the Bridgerton-verse as Princess Augusta, King George III’s mother.
Tunji Kasim
Nigerian-Scottish actor Tunji Kasim, who has starred in Nearly Famous, Shetland, and Nancy Drew, appears as Queen Charlotte’s brother Adolphis Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
Rosheuvel reprises her Bridgerton role as Queen Charlotte in the series. “I knew that [Bridgerton] was something that I was hoping to see. That I have always been hoping to see: that inclusion, that diversity, pushing the boundaries so Black and brown artists can be celebrated in fabulous clothes and fabulous wigs,” Rosheuvel told T&C last year.
Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
As does Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury. “For decades, I would go, ‘Oh, they’re making another costume drama. Great, so when’s the next thing I can be in?’ I don’t need to think that any more,” Andoh said. “When small children of color feel they can dress up as their favorite Regency character, it’s a win… and the riposte to the ‘go back where you came from’ people. It embeds you back into the culture that you should have always had been embedded in.”
