For anyone who loved this Bridgerton-inspired limited series so much that they finished it merely hours after its release on Netflix, there’s more where that came from while viewers wait for Season 3 of Bridgerton to be released.
Whether they were about a fish out of water trying to find its feet in a new place, took creative freedom with their portrayal of historical characters, centered around a family of highborns trying to hold onto their precarious power, or could just be considered aesthetically soothing to the eye, these shows will most likely appeal to Queen Charlotte fans.
The Royals (2015-2018)
In this deliciously soapy drama, the fictional English royal family all find the certainty of their futures, both as monarchs and individuals called into question after the heir to the throne dies mysteriously.
Much like in Queen Charlotte, the royal Henstridge family struggles to stay relevant in the eyes of the people and always seems to be debating with outsiders and each other what the monarchy’s contribution to society should be, all while dealing with their own personal dramas.
The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)
This series explores the life of a young Catherine of Aragon (Charlotte Hope) as she transforms from an ambitious princess who travels from Spain to marry the next King of England, to the coldly cast-aside ex-wife of Henry VIII (Ruairi O’ Connor).
Catherine’s and Charlotte’s (India Amarteifio) journeys seem to be greatly parallel to each other as both are headstrong and intelligent foreigners who come to England to become Queen. However, love seems to be out of their reach when their new husbands prove to be extremely temperamental.
Dickinson (2019-2021)
Is it possible to tell a coming-of-age story about one of the most enigmatic famous people in the world based mostly on the poems that they wrote? Apparently, the answer is yes, as long as it’s done with modern lingo and music.
Highly intelligent and eccentric poet Emily Dickinson (Hailee Steinfeld) desires nothing more than to break the mold and find her voice, something she has in common with Queen Charlotte, as well as the fact that underneath it all, lies the heart of a true romantic .
Reign (2013-2017)
Another story about the rise of a young, foreign royal, Mary, Queen of Scots (Adelaide Kane) tries to navigate the perils of politics and the heart of the French court.
Much like Queen Charlotte, Mary feels an instant connection with her husband-to-be, despite the relationship not being without its roadblocks. In fact, one of the biggest hurdles she must overcome in the series, in addition to coming into her own as a ruler, is overcoming those very struggles so that she can be happy with her true love.
The Great (2020-)
Just like with Queen Charlotte, this show was honest right off the bat about the fact that it wouldn’t be an entirely honest retelling of beloved Empress Catherine the Great’s (Elle Fanning) rise to power and efforts to reform Russia.
Nevertheless, both shows success in showing the difficulties of a young German trying to make an arranged marriage in a foreign country to a strange ruler work despite the fact that no one expects much from them beyond making royal babies.
The Diplomat (2023-)
She may not have come to England to become a royal, but Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) definitely needed to play the part of a fairytale princess in order to hold onto her position, allowing her to help when a disaster threatens to tear the world apart.
The White Queen (2013-2013)
In this remaining of how the events of the War of the Roses played out, three women on opposing sides both struggle to survive and fight for the throne of England.
Poldark (2015-2019)
Taking place during the years after the American Revolutionary War, Captain Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) returns home and tries to find a new purpose in a place that has changed a lot since he’s been away fighting.
Outlander (2014-)
It’s not every day that an audience is taken back in time, not once, but twice in one show. Such is the case with Outlander, which centers around a twentieth-century nurse, Claire (Caitriona Balfe) who is thrust into an eighteenth-century battle when she finds herself sent back in time.
Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
This series about the wealthy Crawley family and their servants, taking place in the early twentieth century, combines some of the best aspects of Queen Charlotte:
The story is set against a beautiful English backdrop, contains some gorgeous costumes, is filled with romance, conflict and forbidden love, has a young, opinionated outsider come into the fold as someone set to inherit a great fortune, and sees young people trying to find themselves and their place in the constantly changing world.
