‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ Is a Romance Fitting of Royalty

Queen Charlotte is one of the most compelling bouts of Bridgerton storytelling thus far.

The prequel executes this royal vision within the landscape of The Ton with ease, as if Charlotte and George have indeed been a fixture of its DNA since the beginning (because they have).

The virtually fresh-faced cast are seasoned scene stealers. A steadfast chemistry between leads allows this love story to endure the responsibilities of a heavy crown without crumpling under the weight of its responsibility.

Costumes and Crowns

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story sweeps us off our feet with its lavish set designs and costumes. Every aspect elevates the Bridgerton brand while catering brilliantly to this diverse ensemble.

This prequel is a feast for the eyes, from the lush purple gardens to the symmetrical shots of Princess Augusta’s gowns.

At the center of a beautifully dressed set is our Queen, played by India Ria Amarteifio, who commands the room epically. But the support she receives from the diverse ensemble behind the camera ensures everything from Charlotte’s hair to royal gowns further entices her performance.

These breathtaking costumes pay homage to Golda Rosheuvel’s iconic wigs with stunning afro-accentuating hairdos.

Charlotte’s outfits are as much a character in this story. They demonstrate how she has become stuck in time as an older woman while acting as battle armor for the younger Queen.

Charlotte and George

These stellar design choices make embracing the allure of fictional royals Charlotte and George much easier.

Their chemistry goes through rough patches, but with one of the most showstopping meet-cutes to kick off this courtship, there is little these two can do to scare us off.

The garden scene nearly eclipses this romantic venture with its excellence. The charged banter, untainted by bias as Charlotte has yet to realize she is talking to the king, is a soothing balm of warmth that reassures us this prequel can sweep us off our feet.

Charlotte’s determination to the bit of climbing the wall, followed by George’s reminder to her brother that Charlotte has indeed not said yes, is a perfect spectacle.

One that alludes to what feels like a perfect pilot brimming with the right amount of suspense and yearning.

George’s fairytale introduction evaporates once reality sinks in. But the unusually dark tone that lingers does not extinguish the romantic undertones. Instead, the darker political tones strengthen Queen Charlotte’s hold on the franchise.

However, there are moments when the season loses itself in the suffering of George’s treatment. The result is a love story that pushes romance and Charlotte to the sidelines at imperative times.

For a tragic few episodes, our leading lady is not utilized as effectively as she could be, and George is all but a distant scream.

But when Rosheuvel’s Queen Charlotte beckons for them to hide from his madness under the bed as the newlyweds once did, every intricate detail of their complicated love comes full circle.

The pain and isolation don’t reflect the swooning romance first promised, but it does forge Charlotte into an indestructible diamond.

The Ladies of The Ton

For a show with a perfectly casted lead in Amarteifio, it is thrilling to see Arsema Thomas’ young Agatha Danbury match her intensity.

Watching Thomas navigate a horrible marriage and a racist Ton with such determination is enthralling, as Agatha’s fight to live independently complements Charlotte’s battle for control. Together the women are an unstoppable pairing.

Danbury’s affair with Violet’s father is scandalous. However, it gives this prequel legitimacy and imbues the women’s friendship with heartbreak. Violet’s party hats are an excellent manipulation tool, rooting Agatha’s past in the delicate object.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this series is its ability to give the older women of Bridgerton a chance to tell their love stories.

This includes the Queen as we dive deeper into her relationship with her thirteen children through hilarity (“Sorrows, sorrows, prayers”) and deep frustration as she realizes their disappointments are her doing.

Arguably some of Queen Charlotte‘s best work happens in the present-day Ton.

The Right-Hand Men

We cannot speak of this prequel’s excellency without touching on the execution of the romance between Brimsley and Reynolds.

The diversity of Bridgeton has nothing on this series. It acknowledges the constraints the Ton faces even in this fantastical world. But it never lets those societal restraints keep this ensemble from exploring love in safe spaces.

Brimsley is the glue of the royal ensemble as he navigates his duties and allegiance to Charlotte. Reynolds lends a hand to that dynamic, offering a much steamier alternative to hushed bickering.

The couple’s slow dance at the end of the season is such a sweet way to consummate their love story. Still, because Queen Charlotte is terribly good at showcasing the beautiful heartbreak of love, Brimsley doesn’t get away unscathed.

That final shot of an older Brimsley dancing by himself outside the ball accomplishes just that — beautiful, aching heartbreak.

All Hail the Queen

Very few series elevate their diverse ensembles like Queen Charlotte has. Here’s hoping historical rom-coms continue to set a precedent for how history can be changed for the better.

Even though this series fumbles through its darker tones at times, the soundtrack and the dialogue are right there to pick it back up.

From deeply poetic lines like “Fight with me! Fight for me!” and hilarious humility in quotes like “My husband is the best of husbands. He gave me this cute bunny thing,” this series certainly has a way with words.

Long live Queen Charlotte, the diamond of this Bridgerton franchise.

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Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is streaming now on Netflix.

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