Netflix Official Trailer: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Right from the get-go, the makers of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story are at pains to make sure audiences are aware this isn’t a docu-drama or an attempt at historical accuracy with a title card stating as much.
If you can suspend your disbelief and board the Bridgerton train – instrumental pop covers, wigs taller than Christmas trees, steamy sex scenes and all the other bells and whistles – prepare to be taken on a regal, romantic journey tinged with tragedy in the latest instalment of Shondaland’s costume drama.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a prequel to the hit Netflix show and follows the young Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (played by India Amarteifio) from the backwaters of a German province, who finds herself carted off to marry King George III (Corey Mylchreest) and become the Queen of England.
But all is not right between the royal couple with George’s life steeped in secrets and Charlotte kept in the dark about the demons plaguing her husband.
Throughout the drama, the baton is constantly passed between the elder acerbic Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) and her young incarnation.
Amarteifio is a compelling lead and she and Mylchreest exude a simmering chemistry from the start, which continues to burn throughout.
Their love story is a joy to watch with the copious sex scenes understandable – the real-life couple had 15 children with 13 of those making it to adulthood, so Queen Charlotte and King George had a physical relationship to say the least.
But it’s actually Young Agatha Danbury star Arsena Thomas, who steals the spotlight as she seeks to cement her position in society along with all of the newly appointed and multicultural members of the aristocracy.
American actress Thomas commands the screen and has much of the gravitas to mirror her older counterpart Adjoa Andoh and this reviewer is eager to see what the rising star will do next.
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But Queen Charlotte – much like other stories from the Bridgerton universe – is an ensemble piece with some of the subplots and characters drawing viewers in, such as the dynamic between the King’s man Reynolds (Freddie Dennis) and a young Brimsley (Sam Clemmett), who becomes the Queen’s right-hand man.
Once again, Bridgerton veterans Rosheuvel, Andoh and Ruth Gemmell are a fabulous trio and it’s great to see older women discussing love and sex in a frank and honest way albeit sometimes employing horticultural euphemisms and analogies to great comedic effect.
No expense has been spared with the production values either and the costumes and locations are as sumptuous as one would expect with Blenheim Palace serving as one of the grand palaces.
Queen Charlotte feels even more grandiose than Bridgerton and it all fits together well with more of a real-world grounding.
Six episodes feels about right for the show as well with the story feeling tight without any filler and leaving you wanting more by the closing credits – the sign of any good series.
The show never makes any pretences about being real or factually correct and is a delicious fantasy to be enjoyed.
Queen Charlotte is what Bridgerton aspires to be. The show has a strong story rooted in history and this gives it the edge Bridgerton lacks, having to plump for drama where substance is lacking.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will premiere on Netflix on May 4
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