Queen Charlotte : A Bridgerton Story Review
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story just popped up on my Popular on Netflix list a few days ago. After watching the 2 seasons of the Bridgerton series, I was eagerly awaiting the third. However, I binge-watched this prequel, a 6 episode limited series. In contrast to earlier seasons, this particular spin-off addresses many topics, giving justifiable attention to them all.
While both Bridgerton seasons had a similar theme, Shonda Rhimes takes Queen Charlotte to the next level with adventurous romance and eye-popping entertainment.
The plot revolves around Queen Charlotte’s marriage to King George III. I am intrigued by the history of a period drama when I watch it. However, our famous Lady Whistledown warns at the beginning about the series being fiction inspired by facts.
Remember Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton? Rhimes not only shows us the change that such a diverse marriage brings about within society, but also draws a parallel between the lives of these 3 powerful women (Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton).
The story takes us through 2 different timelines — where Golda Rosheuvel plays Queen Charlotte while her younger self is brought to life by India Ria Amarteifio. It begins with the present-day queen mourning the loss of her only legitimate grandchild — the heir to the crown. This makes her worry about her bloodline’s survival. Her actions are more or less justified by the second timeline shown in the series — her younger self. Bethrothed to the King of Britain at the age of 17, by a contract made by Adolphus (her brother) and Augusta (King’s mother), Charlotte had to marry the king within 6 hours of her arrival in London. Frustrated at everyone’s discreet behaviour in response to her curiosity about the king, she tries escaping her own royal wedding! Instead, she meets King George for the first time in her life. Eventually, Charlotte becomes queen, but they live separate lives. It really hit me hard when she talked about being lonely in the royal world. Afterwards, she is shocked to witness the king’s first mental breakdown. Here, her friend Lady Danbury comes to the rescue.
Rhimes also shows Lady Danbury’s journey from an unhappy marriage, to being an independent lady at the Queen’s court. This is at a time when a woman’s identity was solely through her husband.
We see a young Violet, making paper hats as a hobby. She marries not for duty towards a nation, or a man’s financial status, but for love.
You can see how these 3 women’s lives are intertwined and how they help and motivate each other throughout the series.
Amarteifio has justified her queen role. Her exceptional acting talent seamlessly transitions between princess, wife, queen, sister and friend. It has proved to be an excellent series with exemplary casting. Rhimes captures royal clothes, ballroom dances, fancy dinners, towering wigs and jewellery of the time. In addition, she has created a captivating storyline filled with romance, thrills, drama and comedy.
Let’s hope the next release lives up to the standards set by this show.