Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story continues to reign not only on Netflix but also in our hearts! One of the strengths of the series is that it openly shows the existing racism in society, the consequences that it has, and how Black society fights against it.
That’s why we want to take a deeper look at it in a roundtable. In it, we’ll learn what Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story got right and where the show got it wrong. Ready?
Here we go!
In Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story 1×01 “Queen to Be” we hear Augusta say that Charlotte is “too brown,” all while Black society is discriminated against. Do you think the show did a good job faithfully reflecting the situation?
Liv: I think the show did a much better job than Bridgerton in showing the different ways racism exists in society. From the way Augusta firstly tries to wipe away Charlotte’s Black skin to then privately with the royal advisors saying that she’s “too brown.” There’s power in the fact that this was said behind closed doors and not in front of Charlotte or her brother. It showed how even in what is regarded as the highest level of society no one is immune to racism.
Jasmine: Yes I do. That moment with Augusta was shocking to say the least. I initially thought she was actually trying to wipe Charlottes beauty mark away. Then it hit me she was trying to wipe her color off.
I also have to point out that even when Augusta looks Charlotte over, checking her teeth, and her hips before saying they’re good for breeding, was gross. It felt as if she were at a slave auction standing on the block.
The conversation Augusta has about Charlotte being too brown was disgusting but it was true. If she was going to publicly attempt to wipe Charlotte’s color away, I needed to see consistency in her racism behind closed doors.
In Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story 1×02 “Honeymoon Bliss” the inclusion of Black society in the so-called upper-class is called an “experiment.” How did this word make you feel?
Amanda: Using the word “experiment” made me feel disgusted. It makes it seem like any and all people of color are simply guinea pigs or lab rats. As the group with power, of course the integration or acceptance of Black society would need to be led by or come from the white upper class, but “experiment” just makes it seem so degrading. Just because the word relates to science and academia doesn’t make it any less hurtful.
Liv: The word “experiment” is not something anyone would want associated with their race but I think it’s realistic of the way society sees the inclusion of Black people and other people of colour. The word “experiment” sounds degrading because what’s going on is degrading and the show rightfully chooses to highlight this.
Jasmine: Ah yes, “The great experiment.” The way this made me cringe every time I heard it. I was disgusted by it because as Amanda said, it made the black people seem like they were viewed as guinea pigs to be tested on. Shonda did a great job showcasing how no matter how well off the people in Black society were, the white people around them would never view them as equal.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story 1×03 “Even Days” showed the hypocrisy of high society regarding its clear racism. Would you have changed anything in the way the show reflected this?
Liv: I think for me overall I would just liked to have seen more dark skin representation and even other people of the Ton outside of Lady Danbury.
Jasmine: I hadn’t considered the lack of darker skinned black people other than Lady Danbury being represented in this show. That’s a great point. Hopefully if we get another season, this happens.
How do you interpret Augusta telling the painter to paint Charlotte with lighter skin in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story 1×05 “Gardens in Bloom?” Do you think she still doesn’t accept her because she’s a Black woman or is it all about their confrontation over George?
Amanda: I think Augusta telling the painter to paint Charlotte a lighter skin tone is about many things whether Augusta herself thinks so or not. I don’t think Augusta fully accepts Charlotte and will always wish her skin was lighter, and their confrontation over George certainly doesn’t help the situation. But I think it’s ultimately a byproduct of society at the time and the rampant racism and colorism that was very prevalent.
While skin color often is a matter of race and the idea that whites are superior and the standard of beauty, but it also is a matter of status and wealth. Having lighter skin typically meant you were wealthy enough to not be out working in the fields all day. So it’s no surprise Augusta wanted her daughter-in-law to be portrayed as lighter than she really is. And that says a lot considering Charlotte’s skin isn’t even as dark as others’.
Liv: I don’t think it’s really about whether Augusta accepts her or not, it’s about the way society still views Black people. They know that just having a Black queen doesn’t suddenly get rid of all the racism and so they cover their backs by painting a picture of her that’s as light as possible. It’s kind of how few people have even heard the theory that the real Queen Charlotte could have been Black.
Jasmine: I honestly think Augusta still did not fully accept Charlotte in that moment. The argument over George didn’t help and it made her more spiteful. But, regardless of the confrontation, I do believe Augusta would have still told the painter to make Charlotte lighter.
The world was not ready to see a Black queen and Augusta was so consumed with image that she truly believed if she could have this one thing changed, it would be a reminder that no matter what Charlotte did in the world, she would only be seen as just a Black woman who got lucky in marrying a white king.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is available to stream on Netflix.
