published on Shondaland
She’s regal. She’s, of course, rich. And you know she’s really good at throwing some royal shade. We’re talking about none other than Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte (featuring costume design by Lyn Paolo) who rules over Regency England with a watchful eye and a fabulous wardrobe. Indeed, much ado is made each season to impress the Queen — because who doesn’t want to be the diamond of the season? — but this imperial powerhouse is more than just the throne on which she sits. And that’s exactly why Shondaland is using the occasion of its next limited Netflix series to 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 yet-to-be-titled series — created and written by showrunner Shonda Rhimes and executive produced by Rhimes, Betsy Beers, and Bridgerton director Tom Verica, who will also direct for the new series — traces the rise of the young Queen through her betrothal to King George III, which, while its own great love story, also sparked a pivotal and transitional moment for England, one that would eventually create the world in which our favorite Bridgerton characters find themselves in the current series.
Speaking of Bridgerton (if you haven’t watched the second season, what are you waiting for?!), Queen Charlotte won’t be the only recognizable name in the flashback series. What would a Queen Charlotte origin story be without two of her most trusted confidants? That’s right, the young Queen Charlotte series will also tell the stories of young Lady Danbury and Lady Violet Bridgerton, both of whom find themselves on their own journeys as the Queen’s arrival sets many a societal development in motion.
That’s all we can say for now about the plot, but we’re also thrilled to announce a handful of the series’ cast members, as well as bring you these behind-the-scenes images of the cast and crew at a recent table read.
Our young Queen will be played by India Ria Amarteifio (Line of Duty), seen here with Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte, Golda Rosheuvel. After her marriage to the King of England — against her will, mind you — a young Charlotte enters the London royal court and must quickly come to terms with the fact that she’s something entirely different than what the rest of the royals expected. Even so, we know Charlotte to be a quick study, and her cunning and wit soon see her navigating the palace, her unpredictable husband, and British high society with panache.
As for the King — played by Corey Mylchreest (The Sandman) — while he is handsome, charismatic, and boasts a fair amount of mystery (we’re swooning already!), young George also faces his own demons. And whether he likes it or not, the arrival of a new Queen, with whom he now must share his bed, space, and life, means he’ll also have to confront those demons in short order.
Any Game of Thrones fans in the house? Well, then you undoubtedly recognize Michelle Fairley (aka Lady Catelyn Stark), playing a new character in the Bridgerverse, Princess Augusta, who, like any royal worth her salt in a quickly changing Britain, is fiercely dedicated to maintaining her family’s power and ensuring her son’s place in the monarchy.
As we mentioned, we’ll dive deeper into the backstory of Lady Agatha Danbury, who, in the young Queen Charlotte series, will be played by Arsema Thomas, making her TV debut in the role. We currently know Lady D to be a wealthy, independent, and entirely self-sufficient woman in the ton, but in her younger years, Agatha found herself under the thumb of a much older husband and itching to carve out her position in society. Thankfully, Queen Charlotte’s arrival makes that happen, as Agatha soon finds herself to be a trustworthy guiding light for the Queen as well as becoming a woman who is finding her own power and presence.
Rounding out the cast are Sam Clemmett (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The War Below) playing young Brimsley, and Hugh Sachs (Bridgerton seasons one and two) as current-day Brimsley; Richard Cunningham (The Witcher) as Lord Bute; Tunji Kasim (Nancy Drew) as Adolphus; Rob Maloney (Casualty) as the royal doctor; and Cyril Nri (Cucumber) as Lord Danbury.
Here, enjoy a few more shots from the Queen Charlotte series table read.
Cyril Nri, reading as Lord Danbury.
Sam Clemmett (left) and Hugh Sachs (right) as Brimsley, both young and old.
Tunji Kasim as Adolphus.
And last but certainly not least, our fearless leader, Shonda Rhimes, along with director Tom Verica, setting her new series in motion.
There will undoubtedly be so much more to come from the new Queen Charlotte series, so be sure to check this space for more updates as they come in. And of course, in the meantime, don’t forget to catch up on Bridgerton seasons one and two, now streaming on Netflix!
