In Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, a well-known character from the successful Netflix series is given a more prominent role. The show, which consists of six episodes, has Shonda Rhimes as the showrunner and writer. Rhimes also holds the position of executive producer along with Betsy Beers and director Tom Verica.
Stepping into the role of a young Queen Charlotte, we have breakout star India Ria Amarteifio. While Corey Mylchreest portrays young King George III, Arsema Thomas is young Lady Danbury, Connie Jenkins-Greig portrays young Violet Ledger, and Sam Clemmett is young Brimsley.
Many fans of the popular show Bridgerton still long for the Duke's return. However, it's worth noting that Queen Charlotte is also interesting to learn about. The show provides ample opportunity to understand her as a historical figure and a present-day individual. Throughout the series, we see that people are complex and have both good and bad qualities. With its focus on romance and internal conflicts, "Queen Charlotte" offers a glimpse into the romantic relationships of these characters and how their love affected not only the Royal Family but also the world around them. It's a testament to the power of true love and its impact on many lives.
In this regard, India Amarteifio and Corey Mylchreest are the show's standout stars, without a doubt. Amarteifio owns the role of young Queen Charlotte, and she both feels like she will one day become the Queen we know and that she could have been so many other things had her life has been different. Her performance is vibrant, with a sense of ownership of what she's creating that makes you forget this is just the younger version of a character you already knew. Amarteifio is Queen Charlotte, as simple as that.
Mylchreest's portrayal of King George is crucial to the success of the romantic aspect of the story, as viewers need to empathize with him and believe in his love for Queen Charlotte. That he succeeds and makes us care for George outside of King George and outside of the romance might be the show's biggest surprise and one of its biggest strengths.
The series contains additional storylines, but I will not delve too deeply into it to avoid spoilers and respect the fans. The secondary characters are fascinating, and the storyline has surprising depth. The show also includes intimate moments of tenderness and joy that kept a smile on my face.
After viewing this series, it should be clear that Queen Charlotte's importance goes beyond her connection to Bridgerton. Her King is well-suited for life as a husband and father more than a ruler of a nation. Through her story arc, viewers experience how she grows into the leader she needs to be while being challenged by self-doubt.
Together they help shape their world, creating moments of absolute beauty and wonder. The excellence in these moments makes them so unique that you may question if what you see is more than fiction.
Final Grade : B+