For those who watch Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte has always been a beloved character. Her sharp wit was only matched by her loyalty, conviction, and need for more. And anytime that you saw Golda Rosheuvel, who plays her, enter a room you knew that good and scandalous things were about to happen.
So, when it was announced that Queen Charlotte would get her own spin-off series, I’ve got to say that I was intrigued but also scared. Spin-offs are always hard work and it takes a lot of love, patience, and good writing to make something that respects the source material while setting out on its own and creating something new.
Then India Amarteifio appeared, in full regal wear, thanks to a special first look photo (the pic as the header of this post) of her as Queen Charlotte. And frankly, I was sold. She looks like a regal force of nature that is ready to shake up the monarchy. Also, the fact that her natural curls are in full display as her crowning glory…it’s enough to make you stop, take pause, and want to know more.
Because these here are choices to empower a Black young woman by not hiding who she is or making her “look like the rest.” Queen Charlotte is herself, through and through, and we see it in this photo. We also see it in the first look that Netflix dropped during the 2022 TUDUM event. In it we see Amarteifio’s Charlotte (she hasn’t gotten married yet) trying to climb over a garden wall to escape a wedding to what she assumes is a brutish man out of her nightmares.
Things take a turn of events for Charlotte when a stranger comes upon her. Like us, he is instantly intrigued by her. But she’s got no time for his curiosity or his handsome face. She’s got to escape and this is her way. So she asks for help, only to be denied it by this well-dressed fellow. Why? Because he is a young King George (Corey Mylchreest) and the one she is to wed. The shock from this revelation is enough to make Charlotte curious and us in one fell swoop.
Check out the first look for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story below:
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is coming soon to Netflix.
