Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story - Everything You Need To Know

Queen Charlotte's arrival is nigh, and fans couldn't be more excited. "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," a prequel to the celebrated Regency era romance series "Bridgerton," tells the story of the titular monarch. Fans have fallen in love with the character on the main series, where her iron will, fabulous sense of style, and warm heart steal all manner of scenes. Now, they'll get to meet her in her youth. Charlotte, it turns out, has always been a bold, brave, and brilliant person. But with her wedding to the enigmatic King George looming, she's forced to confront all manner of challenges. Can she and George learn to love each other? Will she rise to the occasion of ruling? How will she come to know beloved allies like Lady Danbury? "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" promises to answer all these questions, and more.

"Bridgerton" became a smash hit through its winning blend of romance, historical escapism, and rock-solid performances. This prequel series promises to be just as glorious, but in a dramatically different context. Get ready to enter Charlotte's world by catching up on everything we know so far about "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story."

"Bridgerton" fans were overjoyed when "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" was announced in May 2021. This is a serious testament to the original series, as Charlotte is a supporting character within it. But her lines, costumes, and Golda Rosheuvel's luminous performance are all so compelling, she practically demands her own project. Diehards had a while to wait, however. After that May 2021 announcement, further news was fairly thin on the ground for a long stretch of time. Finally, in March 2022, a bevy of casting announcements made headlines, allowing fans to put actual faces to the series' starring roles. Filming began around this time as well, and stretched across the spring and summer. Finally, on August 30, series director Tom Verica confirmed filming had concluded on the hotly anticipated project. "That's a wrap," he mused on Twitter. "This production, this cast, this crew ... just wait."

Fans were on the edge of their seats by this point — but they still had to wait until February and March 2023 to learn more. Luckily, their patience was lavishly rewarded with a sparkling trailer, a bevy of photos, and a release date: May 4, 2023.

In the real world, Queen Charlotte reigned from 1761 until her death in 1818, seeing the realm through the American Revolution, the threat of Napoleonic invasion, and the abolition of slavery from the British Empire. "Bridgerton" has filled us in on her (heavily fictionalized) later history, but "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" will show us how she grew into the monarch we know and love. Specifically, the new series takes us back to the earliest years of her marriage. 

Initially, Charlotte isn't exactly jazzed about marrying George. It doesn't help that her husband-to-be is kept distant from her. But once they actually meet, sparks fly. Soon, the future king and queen are spending time together in gardens, gazing at the heavens through a telescope, and falling in love. Their opulent wedding unites them forever in lavish style and changes the social hierarchy of the ton. "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" promises to be just as romantic and steamy as the main series, with trailers and promo photos showcasing some of the swoonworthy love story's high points.

But, as "Bridgerton" fans know well, King George struggles with the duties of leadership, the royal spotlight, and mental illness. Does Charlotte have what it takes to be there for him? Can she reign as a ruler in her own right? And how, above all, does she manage to become the steely, intelligent, one-of-a-kind monarch fans know and love from the main series? "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" promises to answer all these questions — and more.

India Amarteifio, who some may recognize as Lizzie from "Sex Education" or Nora of "The Midwich Cuckoos," stars as the young Queen Charlotte on "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story." Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the older version of the character on "Bridgerton" and this prequel series, showed enthusiasm about Amarteifio's casting. "The baton is passed on, which I think is a really beautiful metaphor for the older and the younger," she said (via People). "It's really cool. I love it."

Adjoa Andoh, who plays the older Lady Agatha Danbury in both "Bridgerton" series, seconded that endorsement. "When I look at India, I see Golda and see young Charlotte become older Charlotte and it's a beautiful thing," the actress remarked. Her character will also appear in the earlier timeline of "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," portrayed by Arsema Thomas. The rest of the cast is just as glittering. Hugh Sachs will play Brimsley, the Queen's right-hand man. Michelle Fairley — who most know as Catelyn Stark from "Game of Thrones" — will play Princess Augusta. Katie Brayben and Sam Clemmett have signed on to portray Lady Vivian Ledger and a young Brimsley. Connie Jenkins-Greig will portray young Violet Ledger, while Ruth Gemmell will bring the elder version, Lady Violet Ledger Bridgerton, to life once more.

But who, you might be wondering, will play the young King George? This much-anticipated role will be filled by Corey Mylchreest. Fans of "The Sandman" might  remember him as Adonis.

Shonda Rhimes' longtime collaborator Tom Verica is set to direct "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story." Their work together includes such runaway successes as "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal," and "Bridgerton." Betsy Beers, another veteran of the Shondaverse, will join Rhimes and Verica as an executive producer. 

Verica, who also starred as Sam Keating on "How to Get Away with Murder" and has appeared on such legendary shows as "Seinfeld," "Frasier," and "L.A. Law," appreciates the unique workings of Rhimes' creative machinery. As he told The Hollywood Reporter, "She has very specific ideas about the stories that she wants to tell and she articulates them to me, and then she trusts me to go off and do it ... there's just an ease and a very different kind of energy [at Shondaland]." This happy collaboration is poised to reach new heights in "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story." Accomplished cinematographer Jeffrey Jur also moves over from the "Bridgerton" team to shoot "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," while Laura Frecon and Lyn Paolo will handle costume design duties.

Netflix released a first look teaser for "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" in September 2022. It consists of a single scene, presumably from the first episode, in which young Charlotte looks for a way to climb over a garden wall. George approaches her cautiously and balks at her request to help her vault the wall. Charlotte challenges his chivalry, asking him, "You refuse to help a lady in distress?" His answer provides the first real clue as to what's happening: "I refuse when that lady in distress is trying to go over a wall so she doesn't have to marry me," he responds. 

A full trailer hit the internet in March 2023. It offers fans a dazzling look at the full story and its sprawling cast of characters. We see young Charlotte journey to her new home, meet her many attendants and courtiers, and get to know the man who will be her husband. Appealing glimpses of their romance pepper the trailer, but so do darker scenes foreshadowing their struggles. Charlotte clearly has her work cut out for her, from the realities of ruling Britain to the pressure to produce an heir. But, as "Bridgerton" fans know — and quick scenes featuring Golda Rosheuvel as the elder Charlotte make clear — she's more than up to the task.

Before watching "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," viewers can binge or rewatch Seasons 1 and 2 of "Bridgerton," which are currently available on Netflix. Season 3 of "Bridgerton," which will follow the love story between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), will be released in the coming year.

"Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" is intended to be a limited series and likely will not go beyond the first batch of episodes. However, the main "Bridgerton" series is expected to continue into Season 4 and beyond. So long as the series continues to enjoy a positive reception from both critics and audiences, it's likely that Netflix will create adaptations of every book in Julia Quinn's celebrated "Bridgerton" series. Further prequels and spin-offs might even be a possibility. Imagine a series centered around the Bridgerton parents' romance — or perhaps even a look at Lady Danbury's doubtlessly exciting youth.

"Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" does not yet have an official rating. However, we can probably assume it'll feature the same sort of content "Bridgerton" does. So, what is "Bridgerton" rated? That pulse-pounding series boasts a TV-MA rating. 

As fans know, this label is well-earned. "Bridgerton" is a flowery romance (sometimes literally, if the wisteria is in bloom) full of grand, glittering galas and fabulous Regency era gowns. Courtly manners and social hierarchy are everything in the world of the ton, whether characters are engaging in a leisurely game of croquet or attending a spectacular wedding. But there's another side to this well-heeled world. The aristocrats of "Bridgerton" get up to some seriously steamy activities after dark — and occasionally in the full light of day. "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" will almost certainly follow in this tradition. Charlotte and George will have to get to know each other, after all, in every sense of that phrase.