Should we tire of the long line of Bridgerton siblings but not the world they inhabit, fans of the steamy Regency drama on Netflix will be pleased to hear the streamer is expanding the BCU—Bridgerton Cinematic Universe. While the mega-hit main series is in production on its third season (and already planning a fourth), a spinoff is also in the works, featuring a young Queen Charlotte in the lead role. The new series, written by Bridgerton executive producer Shona Rhimes, will be loosely based on the real-life queen’s story and will focus on her courtship with and eventual marriage to King George III.
“All Hail The Queen!,” Netflix wrote when the streamer first announced the news in 2021. “Thrilled to announce we’re expanding the Bridgerton universe with a limited series that will tell Queen Charlotte’s origin story—the series will also feature young Violet Bridgerton and young Lady Danbury.”
“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,” said Netflix head of global TV Bela Bajaria. “Shonda and her team are thoughtfully 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 the upcoming seasons now, we also hope to keep up a pace that will keep even the most insatiable viewers totally fulfilled.”
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Here’s what we know so far.
Who will be in the cast?
The storyline will focus on more than one adult in the Bridgerton universe. Deadline confirmed that the show will also feature details about the lives of Violet Bridgerton (Violet Gemmell) and Lady Danbury (Adjoah Andoh).
Golda Rosheuval will reprise her role as Queen Charlotte, with India Amarteifio playing her younger version. Young King George will be helmed by Corey Mylchreest, with Michelle Fairley as George’s sister, Princess Augusta, and TV newcomer Arsema Thomas as the young Lady Danbury. (Andoh and Gemmell are also expected to reprise their roles for the spinoff.)
Netflix released a photo of Thomas in her full look just at the start of 2023, and she looks just as magnificent as fans would expect.
There is also new description of her storyline.
“Under the thumb of a much older husband, Agatha uses Charlotte's arrival to find her own way into society,” Netflix shared. “With keen knowledge of the once divided social scene and the intricacies of marriage, Agatha becomes a guiding light for the new Queen, all while finding her own voice and power we'll soon recognize as Bridgerton's iconic Lady Danbury.”
Additional casting announcements include: Sam Clemmett as Young Brimsley; Richard Cunningham as Lord Bute; Tunji Kasim as Adolphus; Rob Maloney as the Royal Doctor; Cyril Nri as Lord Danbury; and Hugh Sachs, who appeared in Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2, as older Brimsley.
Tom Verica will serve as director and executive producer, alongside co-executive producer Betsy Beers.
What will the spinoff be about?
Charlotte was a real monarch, though she wasn’t in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books. She was introduced as a character in the Netflix series, and this gives Rhimes the chance to take her story where she wants. Rhimes will reportedly be focusing on the young queen’s love affairs and the things she did before she married (the also very real) King George III.
By now, we know about Bridgerton’s colorblind casting approach, but some historians believe Queen Charlotte was biracial. This idea could also give Rhimes the room to explore some themes of race as it relates to the monarch’s story.
When does the series come out?
There is no release date set for this series just yet, but during Netflix’s annual fan event, the streamer shared a sneak peek of a scene from the upcoming show. Take a peek below.
Hilary Weaver is a freelance writer based in New York who writes about politics, queer issues, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, and every woman the Queen has ever made a dame. I saw Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again three times in theaters, and that's pretty much all you need to know.
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a staff culture writer at ELLE, where she primarily covers film, television and books. She was previously an associate editor at ELLE.
