Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Netflix: trailer, release date, photos, cast, plot

Netflix is struggling through a strange episode in its short history. It's cancelling shows with algorithmic brutality, with many cult favourites like 1899 and Archive 81 being axed. It appears that if a series doesn’t reach a stratospheric number of viewers, then it’s not long for this world.

However, that’s not to discredit the wealth of shows that reign in the Top 10 lists. One of the platform’s biggest success stories is Bridgerton, a perfect dose of period drama nonsense that often resembles Jane Austen fan fiction. It’s the aristocratic zenith of guilty pleasure television.

Like House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the Bridgerverse is branching into prequels. Queen Charlotte is a spin-off series devoted to the fan-favourite monarch of the Ton, as played in Bridgerton by the brilliantly stern Golda Rosheuvel. Here’s everything we know about the show.

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte. Photo: Netflix

What’s the Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story plot?

Few details have emerged about the new spin-off, but the story focuses on the nuptials between Queen Charlotte and King George III in the 18th century – decades before the events of Bridgerton.

Corey Mylchreest and India Ria Amarteifio as King George and Queen Charlotte. Photo: Netflix

The Bridgerverse shows an alternative history with a more racially diverse version of Regency Britain, embracing people of colour into high society. The catalyst to this world is Queen Charlotte, confirmed as Black in Bridgerton (the reality is debated), with her royal marriage popularising racial harmony.

With this lore in mind, Queen Charlotte could prove more politically fascinating than the original series. Some have debated whether Bridgerton's racial angles are appropriate, especially Michele Thiel’s scorching piece in gal-dem, but any attempt to not only diversify the genre but also openly tackle racism is respectable. In any case, there’s no doubt that the spin-off will ignite another explosive talking point in TV – especially after the Harry & Meghan documentary.

Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury and Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton. Photo: Netflix

Who’s in the Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story cast?

Golda Rosheuvel returns to play Queen Charlotte, along with Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury (mother to the Duke of Hastings) and Emma Gummell as the Bridgerton family matriarch Lady Violet.

Arsema Thomas as the younger Lady Agatha Danbury. Photo: Netflix

Portraying the young Queen Charlotte is the Sex Education actor India Ria Amarteifio, starring alongside Corey Mylchreest (The Sandman) as the young King George. Newbie actor Arsema Thomas plays the young Lady Agatha, and the Game of Thrones star Michelle Fairley also joins the series as Princess Augusta.

(L-R) Neil Edmond, Michelle Fairley and Richard Cunningham as Earl Harcourt, Princess Augusta and Lord Bute. Photo: Netflix

What’s the Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story release date?

Strangely, the series releases on Star Wars Day: Thursday 4 May 2023. Watch the new trailer below.