‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’: Captivating Prequel That’s Romantic, Inspiring

Shonda Rhimes captures our hearts again with the Bridgerton-verse prequel, "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story." 

Starring India Amarteifio as Queen Charlotte and Corey Mylchreest as King George, the series portrays the beginning of the great love story between the king and queen and events before the world of the Ton in the Bridgerton series.

Aside from the beautiful classical pop song covers and perfectly designed Regency-era-inspired costumes, the show is thoughtful, romantic and inspiring. 

The great love story between Charlotte and George begins when Charlotte encounters a tall wall as she tries to escape her wedding. This first event foreshadows the tender love and chemistry between the two. We quickly see everything isn’t always what it seems and the tension that exists in this relationship. George decides the couple will live in separate houses, and they do not spend their wedding night or honeymoon together. Charlotte’s days become an endless cycle of waking up and getting ready, occupying her day with activities and eating meals alone.  

The queen quickly realizes her life is now in the hands of her country, and she is to fulfill her duty of producing an heir. She takes on this role gracefully, and we see how she holds this expectation on her and George’s children to continue the legacy.  

Charlotte is educated, thinks for herself and desires to be her own person. Although the prequel shows her innocence and vulnerability, it’s incredible witnessing her step into her role and the events that led her to be the strong and confident queen we see in the “Bridgerton” series. 

The show provides an understanding of the diversity in the series. The marriage between the king and queen was the ‘Great Experiment’ that merged ‘their side’ and ‘our side.’ This experiment created the relationship between Queen Charlotte and Lady Agatha Danbury we see in “Bridgerton”. Played by Arsema Thomas, Lady Danbury serves as the face of diversity, charting a path for a new society with questions on inheritance and making decisions best for her.

"Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" is moving, makes you love Queen Charlotte, and keeps you wanting more. It’s worth watching and lives up to expectations.