Is love strong enough to unite a divided society? In the Bridgerton universe, the answer is a resounding “yes” – regardless of evidence pointing to “no” in the real world. For a romantic drama, it’s a sweet and simple enough concept. And with Bridgerton’s first two seasons occupying two of the three top spots on Netflix’s all-time English-language viewing chart, expansion was only a matter of time. Queen Charlotte is Shonda Rhimes’s first attempt at building on the swooning success of the Regency-era show. As a prequel, it explores the queen consort’s rise to power in the British royal family and across wider society as a Black woman from overseas. (A novel concept, indeed!) And before detractors can even raise a thumb to tweet their disapproval of the show’s use of creative licence, the voice of high-society informant Lady Whistledown opens the series. “This is the story of Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton,” Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews) declares. “It is not a history lesson; it is fiction inspired by fact.” History buffs duly warned, the series whisks viewers away into the sumptuous story.
India Amarteifio plays the young Charlotte, with Bridgerton’s Golda Rosheuvel appearing as her older self in a series of flash-forwards. Like her predecessor, Amarteifio portrays Charlotte with a haughty botheredness that is irresistibly fun to watch – eye rolls and stiff upper lip included. Aged just “seven-and-10”, she is shipped from Germany to England to wed the young, newly crowned British king, George III (Corey Mylchreest). It’s safe to say she’s not pleased with her brother and guardian’s decision to marry her off. On the journey to the palace, she considers impaling herself on her own corset to curtail her marital fate while she has the chance.
