Bridgerton Spinoff Series About A Young Queen Charlotte Confirmed by Netflix
The drama will also follow a young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury
The Bridgerton universe is expanding – a spinoff series about a young Queen Charlotte has been confirmed by Netflix.
The limited series will explore the origin of story of Queen Charlotte, and will also follow young Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton, whose backstory is briefly touched upon in Julia Quinn’s second epilogue, Violet in Bloom, from The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After.
The monarch, played by Golda Rosheuvel, will feature alongside other historical figures including King George III and Prince Frederick of Prussia.
“Many viewers had never known the story of Queen Charlotte before Bridgerton brought her to the world, and I’m thrilled this new series will further expand her story and the world of Bridgerton,” Bela Bajaria, Netflix head of global TV, said in a statement.
Creator Shonda Rhimes will write and executive produce, with Betsy Beers and Tom Verica also serving as executive producers. Jess Brownell is the new show-runner, taking over from Chris Van Dusen, who is currently developing season 2.
“As we continue to expand the world of Bridgerton, we now have the opportunity to devote even more of the Shondaland fold to the Bridgerton-verse,” Rhimes said. “We’ve worked with Jess Brownell for over a decade and have long wanted to find the right project to place in her hands. When it came time to pass the baton, I knew this unique voice was vital to the future of the show.”
Bridgerton was recently renewed for seasons three and four, having emerged as the streaming service’s most-watched series of all time. In its first 28 days of release, the Regency drama was viewed by 82 million households, far exceeding the 63 million that Netflix predicted. That same month, it was announced that the romance, drama and decadent costumes would continue for a second season, now in production.
Set in Regency London, and based on Quinn’s second novel The Viscount Who Loved Me, season two will follow reformed rake Jonathan Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) as he pursues a new love interest with whom he plans to settle down, only to have his head turned by her sister, Kate Sheffield (played by Simone Ashley). Described as “the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom”, Kate is determined to put a stop to the betrothal, but unwittingly becomes the object of Anthony’s desire.
Season two of Bridgerton is expected to arrive on Netflix next year.
Bridgerton season one is available to stream on Netflix now.
By Naomi Gordon
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@goldarosheuvel
