We’ve laid out the cast, their characters, and the plot and rounded up all the information, photos, clips, and trailers that we’ve been given so far to make sure that you’re totally prepared for the “Bridgerton” spin-off.
As we gain momentum on one of the most anticipated Netflix shows from Shondaland since Bridgerton premiered on Christmas Day, 2020, we’ve dropped a trove of Queen Charlotte treats over these last few months, so we thought it pertinent to do a little refresh of everything we know thus far about Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
The plot, the cast, photos, videos — we’ve got them all and more as we head into a new era of the ton and this gorgeous rendition of the little-known story of Queen Charlotte.
Queen Charlotte is played by Golda Rosheuvel in the Bridgerton series, and her grace and wit, her ’tude and temper, and especially her outrageously huge wigs have thrust the regal powerhouse into our collective consciousness. With that, and because she is England’s first queen of Black ancestry, it only seemed natural to give the queen her own prequel story in which we become witness to the origins of one of England’s most iconic monarchs.
The Plot of Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a limited series premiering all six episodes on Thursday, May 4, on Netflix. The story follows Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (played by India Amarteifio) as she’s thrust out of her aristocratic home in Germany and into the arms of King George III (Corey Mylchreest) — and the tricky courts of England — whether she likes it or not. To the relief of all involved, including both Charlotte and George, they actually kind of dig each other. And through some very low lows and wonderfully romantic highs, the newlyweds’ union not only sparks a great love story, but it also sparks a pivotal moment for English aristocratic culture, one that eventually creates a world where Bridgerton can exist.
Queen Charlotte is fashioned as a tale told through flashbacks, jumping from the Regency era to the Georgian era (we’ve got an explainer for that, too!), a generation before our beloved Bridgerton siblings come onto the scene. The new narrative shows Queen Charlotte — with her trusted queen’s man, Brimsley (Hugh Sachs, in an expanded role), at her side — trying to secure the throne by whipping her loving but slightly slovenly and spoiled adult children into shape as the next-in-line regals they should be. We’re also given more insight into her relationship with George, something that has only been teased in Bridgerton. For as kind and handsome as young King George is, he wrestles with personal ailments that threaten the couple’s new union.
There are also the queen’s besties, Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), both of whom find themselves at a crossroads on their own journeys as women of a certain age.
In the flashbacks, which make up the bulk of the new show, along with young Queen Charlotte, there are many recognizable characters from the Bridgerton series, albeit with a few years shaved off. In Georgian London, we’re introduced to young Violet (Connie Jenkins-Greig), young Agatha (Arsema Thomas), and young Brimsley (Sam Clemmett), along with new faces and new stories: the king’s mother, Princess Augusta (Michelle Fairley); Keir Charles as Lord Ledger, Violet’s father and friend to Lady Danbury; Tunji Kasim as the queen’s brother, Adolphus; Cyril Nri as Lord Danbury; and Freddie Dennis as the king’s man, Reynolds.
The series is created and written by showrunner Shonda Rhimes and executive produced by Rhimes, Betsy Beers, and series director Tom Verica.
The New Cast and Characters of Queen Charlotte
India Amarteifio as young Queen Charlotte
Charlotte enters her arranged marriage to the king of England, but she quickly realizes she’s marrying far more than just a man. London’s royal court proves daunting, especially to a young woman who is something entirely different than what the British royals expected. But Charlotte is a quick study, and her cunning and wit soon see her navigating the palace, her unpredictable husband, and British high society with panache.
Amarteifio began her career as a child, acting in West End theater productions like The Lion King as a young Nala and as part of the original cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Among her first television roles were roles in 2015 on The Interceptor and Doctor Who. She played Thandie Newton’s daughter in Line of Duty and had a role in the film Military Wives.
Corey Mylchreest as young King George III
While he is handsome and charismatic, young George also faces his own inner demons as he battles outer pressure from his mother, Princess Augusta, to marry and secure the royal line. The arrival of his new queen, with whom he now must share his bed, space, and life, means that he’ll have to confront those demons quickly if he’s to be able to both show her the love he wants to show her and rule his kingdom effectively.
This is Mylchreest’s first major role out of drama school. He had a small part in Netflix’s The Sandman and acted in the short film Mars, but the young Brit is taking on the challenge of this emotional role with immediate confidence.
Arsema Thomas as young Lady Danbury
We currently know Lady Danbury to be a wealthy, independent, and entirely self-sufficient woman of the ton, but in her younger years, Agatha found herself under the thumb of a much older husband and itching to carve out her position in society. Thankfully, Queen Charlotte’s arrival is the door that opened that opportunity. Agatha soon finds herself to be a trustworthy guiding light for the sometimes-naive queen, as well as a woman who is finding her own power and presence among London’s elite.
Making their TV debut in the role, Thomas (who prefers they/them pronouns) was born in Atlanta but grew up on the road with their parents, who were Nigerian and Ethiopian diplomats. They speak five languages and graduated from Yale with a master’s in public health. A change of heart turned them toward acting, and they starred in their first role, in the feature film Redeeming Love, in South Africa before signing on to play Lady D.
Michelle Fairley as Princess Augusta
Determined to maintain her family’s power amidst a changing Britain, the dowager princess does what it takes to secure her son’s place as monarch and her family’s power.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll certainly recognize Fairley from her turn as Lady Catelyn Stark, but the veteran Northern Irish actress has also been in Suits, 24: Live Another Day, and Gangs of London.
Sam Clemmett as young Brimsley
As the queen’s man, Brimsley at first suffocates her by always being there, five steps behind and doting on her every need. But Brimsley eventually becomes a bright spot of loyalty, companionship, and discretion for the young queen.
Clemmett, who’s been acting on British TV for the last decade and has recently broken out in the films Cherry and The War Below, is best known for his role as Albus Potter in the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Freddie Dennis as Reynolds
As the king’s man, Reynolds has been at George’s side for many years, and thus not only serves him with complete loyalty but also feels compelled to protect the king’s secret at all costs. And he’s happy to go head-to-head with anyone who feels otherwise.
After one episode of HBO’s The Nevers, this is Dennis’ first major TV role since graduating from the Oxford School of Drama in 2021.
Following the Red Carpet to Queen Charlotte
It feels as though it was just yesterday that we revealed our new young Queen Charlotte, played by Amarteifio. Her grace, poise, and loyalty give us goosebumps, and it’s only a matter of days before we get to see all that she has to offer us.
“She’s super-strong in times of complete downfall when there’s nothing to even hope for and it’s all bleak,” Amarteifio told Shondaland about her character. “Yet she still finds the power and the strength from somewhere. It’s a testament to her character.”
That same month, Netflix held court with its second annual global fan event, Tudum, which was chock-full of exclusive news, never-before-seen footage, trailers, and first looks, as well as interviews with Netflix’s biggest stars and creators.
It was there that Shondaland treated fans to a panel dedicated to all things Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte, full of sneak-peek photos and videos. Bridgerton stars Claudia Jessie and Luke Newton revealed their artistic sides in a friendly — and revealing — round of “Bridgerton Sibling Portraits,” hosted by Nicola Coughlan, who also unveiled a sneak peek at Lady Whistledown’s first newsletter of season three.
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