Everything We Know About ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’

Rejoice! A Bridgerton prequel about a young Queen Charlotte is on its way.

Prepare the carriages for a very royal spinoff: a Bridgerton prequel about a young Queen Charlotte, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, is officially en route to a small screen near you.

Naturally, with the entire ton abuzz following the record-breaking Netflix show’s second season, it seems only fitting that the beguiling monarch – a character who was not present in the Bridgerton books – is all set to star in her very own series.

Announced by the show’s production house Shondaland shortly after the release of season two, the upcoming limited series will trace Queen Charlotte’s backstory alongside a young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury in what is sure to be an origin tale for the ages.

Curious? Below, find everything we know (so far) about Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, from plot to premiere date and everything in between.

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What is the plot of the Bridgerton prequel?

Per Shondaland, the limited series will “turn back the clock and find out just how Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (currently played by Golda Rosheuvel) became one of England’s most iconic, powerful and unforgettable monarchs”. The studio further revealed that in tracing the “great love story” that is born from “the rise of the young Queen through her betrothal to King George III”, it will unveil also how their union “sparked a pivotal and transitional moment for England” and ultimately led to the Bridgerton characters and world that we currently know and love.

Although Queen Charlotte does not appear in the Bridgerton books, she is loosely based on the real Queen Charlotte Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who historians believed may have been of African descent. Married to King George III (also known as ‘Mad King George’), she presided over the throne for almost sixty years, and may provide further inspiration as to the queen’s origin story in the prequel.

In addition to exploring the queen’s early adulthood, the spinoff will also dive into the lives of a young Violet Bridgerton, whose story was lightly explored in Violet in Bloom, a bonus story that appears in Julia Quinn’s collection of “second epilogues” titled: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After.

According to Shondaland, the show will portray how Lady Danbury (played by Adjoa Andoh) came to be the “wealthy, independent, and entirely self-sufficient woman she is” after having spent her younger years “under the thumb of a much older husband and itching to carve out her position in society”.

Moreover, the series will also reveal how the Queen, Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton came to be friends and confidants. “These relationships are long-lived between Lady Danbury, Lady Bridgerton and the Queen,” Andoh revealed In an interview with E! News. “That’s what the prequel is going to talk about.”

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Who is in the cast of the Bridgerton prequel?

All set to take on the part of the beloved Bridgerton monarch, actress India Ria Amarteifio (Sex Education, Line of Duty) will be playing the young Queen Charlotte. Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the current queen on our screens, is also slated to reprise her role as the current queen on our screens, confirming that she “will be in it” in an interview with E! News.

Like Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh will be returning as the current Lady Danbury, while the young Lady Danbury will be played by newcomer Arsema Thomas in what will be her TV debut. The character of King George, who Shondaland describes as “handsome and charismatic” with a “fair amount of mystery”, will be portrayed by Corey Mylchreest (The Sandman).

Although no announcements have been made about who will star as the young Violet Bridgerton as yet, Ruth Gemmell will return to her role as the family’s matriarch. Additionally, the production house has confirmed that the show will introduce a brand new character in the form of Princess Augusta, King George’s mother. Casting Game of Thrones’ Michelle Fairley (also known as Lady Catelyn Stark) as the new royal, Princess Augusta is described as “fiercely dedicated to maintaining her family’s power and ensuring her son’s place in the monarchy”.

Additional cast members include: Sam Clemmett (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as a young Brimsley (the queen’s right-hand man). Hugh Sachs from Bridgerton seasons one and two as present-day Brimsley; Richard Cunningham (The Witcher) as Lord Bute; Tunji Kasim (Nancy Drew) and Adolphus; Cyril Nri (The Bill) as Lord Danbury; and Rob Maloney (Coronation Street) as the royal doctor.

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Is there a trailer for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story?

While there is no official trailer Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story just yet, a 'first look' video has just been released. It depicts the young Queen Charlotte attempting to scale a wall so she doesn't have to marry the king. Halfway through her mission, however, she happens to be interrupted by the aforementioned king.