Bridgerton‘s Queen Charlotte is getting a spinoff on Netflix.
Deadline reports that Shonda Rhimes will write the Bridgerton series about the younger years of Queen Charlotte (the character currently played by Golda Rosheuvel). Rhimes is stepping behind the pen for this one after she only executive produced the main series Chris Van Dusen is the Bridgerton showrunner. He is the season 2 showrunner and Jess Bromwell will take over for seasons. 3 and 4.
The spinoff series will not only tell the story of younger Queen Charlotte, but also the younger versions of Bridgerton matriarch Lady Violet Bridgerton (currently played by Ruth Gemmell) and Lady Danbury (currently played by Adjoa Andoh). Shondaland actor-turned-producer Tom Verica and Betsy Beers will executive produce with Rhimes.
In a historical context, Queen Charlotte was Queen of Great Britain and Ireland in the 18th century, wife to King George III. She was a descendant of Margarita de Castro y Sousa, who was part of the Black members of the Portuguese Royal House. Charlotte, North Carolina, is named after her.
Netflix’s global TV head Bela Bajaria said in a statement how “thrilled” the streaming service is to expand the Bridgerton story.
“Many viewers had never known the story of Queen Charlotte before Bridgerton broght her to the world,” he said. “…Shonda and her team are thoughfully building out the Bridgerton universe so they can keep delivering for the fans with the same quality and style they love. And by planning and prepping all of the upcoming seasons now, we also hope to keep up a pace that will keep even the most insatiable viewers totally fulfilled.”
Regarding the main storyline, Bridgerton has been renewed for three more seasons, but Regé-Jean Page is no longer a member of the cast because of the one-year agreement in his contract and to focus on his film career. While the Bridgerton crew state that Page will always have a home with the series, fans were outraged that their favorite character, Page’s Simon Basset, would no longer be in future seasons.
