The anticipation is almost too much to bear as we await the tantalizing story of the sassy and beloved Queen Charlotte.
Upon its release in 2020, Bridgerton captivated the hearts of millions of viewers, quickly becoming one of the most beloved series on Netflix. While recounting the captivating and appealing love story of the Bridgerton siblings, the show also offered glimpses into the strained relationship between Queen Charlotte and her ailing husband. Now, on May 4, this enchanting world will transport us back in time to explore the teenage years of this beloved monarch in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Although the titular queen was known for her stern demeanor and no-nonsense attitude, it is her complexity as a person and struggles as a young queen, as well as her own love story with King George, that makes this prequel series such a highly anticipated addition to this dazzling period piece.
Sometimes, there is nothing as appealing as a backstory to an already-known narrative. Many films have attempted this, and while some prequels were successful, others were, however, a disaster. However, with Shonda Rhimes as writer and executive producer, there is so much to hold in hope for young Queen Charlotte’s story. A Bridgerton Universe featuring both old and new faces, the feisty Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) from Game of Thrones as Princess Augusta, Queen Charlotte’s “famous” love story with King George and a young Lady Danbury? These are certainly more than enough reasons why viewers are eagerly expecting the story behind the powerful and sassy monarch, played by Golda Rosheuvel.
Her Obsession with Young Romance
Well, Queen Charlotte isn’t the only one who is obsessed with playing matchmaker or sharing in the hottest gossip about love affairs. She is, however, so invested in these pursuits that she places great importance on selecting the Diamond of the Season, and when her romance schemes fail, she throws a fit and the entire season becomes ruined for her and everyone else.
Surely, there must be a reason Queen Charlotte is this invested. Perhaps, she was at one time the Diamond of the Season or maybe these young romances remind her of her own with King George. No one knows for sure, but the trailer released by Netflix last March suggests Charlotte was at one time the center of love machinations.
What Is Queen Charlotte’s Intriguing Backstory?
Queen Charlotte is loosely based on the real-life Queen Charlotte, who is widely believed to be Britain’s first biracial monarch. If Netflix’s Bridgerton stays true to this fact, then it is essential to explain her roots and how she was able to overcome the challenges of being a young princess in an unfamiliar world, eventually becoming a highly regarded Queen. With this spin-off, viewers can truly understand Queen Charlotte and how she has been able to keep it all together, alone.
In the trailer, Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) is seen trying to scale a fence when she is accosted by King George (Corey Mylchreest), marking the beginning of their famous love story. The shared clips in the trailer suggest that a young Charlotte was rebelious, shy, and naive, in stark contrast to the level-headed, meddling queen that fans have grown to love. The trailer also highlights the differences between the Georgian British era and the world of the Ton depicted in Bridgerton, making it an interesting watch for fans of period dramas who would like to know more about how this change came about.
