India Amarteifio | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

• Genre: Historical drama
• Created by: Shonda Rhimes
• Directed by: Tom Verica
• Starring: India Amarteifio, Adjoa Andoh, Michelle Fairley, Ruth Gemmell, Corey Mylchreest, Golda Rosheuvel, Arsema Thomas, Sam Clemmett, Freddie Dennis, Hugh Sachs, Julie Andrews
• Composer: Kris Bowers
• No. of episodes: 6
• Executive producers: Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica
• Producer: Anna O'Malley
• Cinematography: Jeffrey Jur
• Production company: Shondaland
• Network: Netflix
• Release: May 4, 2023

The spin-off miniseries revolving around Queen Charlotte consists of two plot lines: one in the present of Bridgerton, beginning in 1817 with the death of the royal heir Princess Charlotte, an event that causes the Queen to pressure her children to marry and produce another royal heir; the other begins in 1761 with Charlotte meeting and marrying King George. The latter explores the King and Queen's marriage and his mental illness.

AWARDS

• 75th Primetime Emmy Awards

"Queen to Be"

• Season: 1
• Episode: 1
• Directed by: Tom Verica
• Written by: Shonda Rhimes
• Premiere: May 4, 2023

In 1761 Charlotte's brother, Adolphus, signs a contract marrying her to George III. Charlotte is unhappy with the idea of the marriage. Upon seeing her and realizing she's black, the King's mother, Princess Augusta, invites several prominent people of colour to the wedding and grants them titles on her son's behalf, effectively desegregating society. Before the wedding can go through Charlotte attempts to run away but is caught by a charming man who turns out to be her future husband. She decides to go through with the marriage but is surprised when, on the night of the wedding, he presents her with her own house but informs her of his intention to live a completely separate life in Kew. In 1817, Queen Charlotte learns her only legitimate granddaughter Princess Charlotte of Wales has died in childbirth kicking off a succession crisis. She urges her surviving 12 children to produce legitimate heirs.

"Honeymoon Bliss"

• Season: 1
• Episode: 2
• Directed by: Tom Verica
• Written by: Shonda Rhimes
• Premiere: May 4, 2023

In 1761 Charlotte spends most of her honeymoon alone. She learns that she has no activities planned as she is supposed to be with George. Despite this, she invites the newly minted Lady Danbury to tea where Lady Danbury, learning of Charlotte's ignorance, explains sex to her. Princess Augusta, desperate to know if her son has consummated his marriage tries to pressure Lady Danbury into telling her, however Lady Danbury, who is still suffering from segregated society despite her husband's title, uses her leverage to pressure Princess Augusta into further supporting her and her husband. George reveals to Charlotte that he left her on their marriage night as he was charting the Transit of Venus. He asks Charlotte for a redo of their marriage night and the two finally consummate their marriage. However the following morning she overhears a conversation between George and his mother in which he reveals he is hiding his true self from her.

"Even Days"

• Season: 1
• Episode: 3
• Directed by: Tom Verica
• Written by: Shonda Rhimes
• Premiere: May 4, 2023

Still feuding, Charlotte and George nevertheless have a passionate sex life agreeing to see each other on even days so that Charlotte may get pregnant. After seeing that George also has a passion for agriculture, Charlotte decides to accept her husband for who he is and reconciles with him deciding to be a team. Lady Danbury's husband decides he wants to host the first ball of the season. Despite not having Princess Augusta's full support, Lady Danbury issues invitations and is rejected by the white members of the ton. She asks for Queen Charlotte's support, pointing out that the newly made members of the ton are in a precarious position. Charlotte and George go to the Danbury's ball which is a success; afterward, Lord Danbury dies during sexual intercourse with his wife. Charlotte awakens on the night of the ball to discover George running outside and stripping naked to praise Venus. Charlotte convinces him she is Venus and guides him back home.

"Holding the King"

• Season: 1
• Episode: 4
• Directed by: Tom Verica
• Written by: Nicholas Nardini
• Premiere: May 4, 2023

Flashbacks reveal that Princess Augusta arranged George's marriage behind his back as he was frightened of the prospect of marriage due to his uncontrollable fits and mental breakdowns. Doctor Monro suggests there is nothing wrong with him and his breakdowns are due to a lack of discipline. Quickly falling in love with Charlotte, George removes himself from her presence to follow a grueling program set up by Monro to break him. Feeling better and missing Charlotte, George decides to move back in with her. He dismisses Monro only to discover that Charlotte has decided to keep him as her physician as she is pregnant. Her pregnancy triggers a mental crisis in George leading to his late night visions of Venus in the garden.

"Gardens in Bloom"

• Season: 1
• Episode: 5
• Directed by: Tom Verica
• Written by: Shonda Rhimes
• Premiere: May 4, 2023

Princess Augusta learns that Charlotte is pregnant and announces plans to move into Buckingham House. Charlotte, frustrated at her lack of headway with George, writes to her brother Adolphus, and asks to be taken home when he visits. The other nonwhite members of the ton ask Agatha to figure out her matters of succession; though she brings her young son to Princess Augusta, she does not get a clear answer on whether or not he will inherit his father's peerage. Charlotte visits Agatha and is encouraged to assert herself, eventually confronting Monro and retrieving George herself. Agatha begins taking daily walks with Lord Ledger, and the two sleep together. In the 1810s, Charlotte betroths two of her sons to eligible princesses. Violet admits her newfound sexual frustration to Agatha.

"Crown Jewels"

• Season: 1
• Episode: 6
• Directed by: Tom Verica
• Written by: Shonda Rhimes
• Premiere: May 4, 2023

A reunited Charlotte and George affirm their mutual love, and Charlotte gives birth to a baby boy. Despite his high spirits, George is unable to appear before Parliament, leading to rumours that he is unfit to rule. Meanwhile, Agatha is subtly rebuffed by Lord Ledger, and Princess Augusta is unyielding on the matter of succession. Charlotte and George successfully host a ball with the dual purpose of celebrating their son's birth and presenting George as a capable ruler. Adolphus proposes to Agatha, but unwilling to be trapped in another marriage, she rejects him. An accepting Charlotte tells Agatha that she will assist her with keeping the title. In the 1810s, Agatha subtly confirms Violet's suspicions that she had a liaison with Violet's father, and the two continue their friendship. Charlotte visits George to tell him that Princess Victoria is pregnant. The two lie together as they did in their youth.