Bridgerton prequel - everything you need to know about the spin-off and who was the real Queen Charlotte?

When it comes to scoops, Lady Whistledown is hard to beat. But if you want to learn all about the upcoming Bridgerton prequel, we’ve got all the details you need to know.

Season two of Netflix’s hit drama came out earlier this year, focusing on a new diamond, Simone Ashley and the eldest Bridgerton brother, played by Jonathan Bailey.

While the storyline will continue with Bridgerton season 3, fans will get a different dose of the period drama when they delve into the past of one of the fan favorites.

The upcoming prequel will take us back to the early days of Queen Charlotte.

What is the Bridgerton prequel about?

The Queen Charlotte limited series will center on the rise and love life of a young Queen Charlotte, the reimagined character added to the Bridgerton series who did not appear in the Julia Quinn books on which the show is based.

Played by Golda Rosheuvel, Queen Charlotte quickly became a fan favorite and one of Bridgerton‘s breakout characters, taking on a much bigger role in the second season.

The spinoff will also tell the stories of young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury.

“Many viewers had never known the story of Queen Charlotte before Bridgerton brought her to the world, and I’m thrilled this new series will further expand her story and the world of Bridgerton,” said Netflix head of global TV Bela Bajaria.

“Shonda and her team are thoughtfully building out the Bridgerton universe so they can keep delivering for the fans with the same quality and style they love. And by planning and prepping all the upcoming seasons now, we also hope to keep up a pace that will keep even the most insatiable viewers totally fulfilled.”

Who is in the cast for the Bridgerton prequel?

Golda Rosheuvel will reprise her role as Queen Charlotte, with India Amarteifio portraying the younger version.

Adjoa Andoh will return as Lady Danbury with Arsema Thomas playing the younger version. Similarly, Ruth Gemmell returns as Violet Bridgerton with a younger version played by Connie Jenkins-Greig.

A young King George will be played by Corey Mylchreest, while Game of Thrones actress Michelle Fairley will star as his plotting mother, the Dowager Princess Augusta.

Bridgerton prequel trailer

A short, first look teaser for the prequel gives fans a glimpse of when Queen Charlotte first laid eyes on the king.

When might the Bridgerton prequel be released?

No release date has been given yet, but creatives for the show confirmed on social media that filming wrapped in August 2022.

Director Tom Verica wrote on Twitter, "That’s a wrap. This production, this cast, this crew…just wait.”

Who was the real Queen Charlotte?

While Bridgerton storylines are works of fiction and reimagined by Shona Rhimes for the series, Queen Charlotte is based on a real, historic figure.

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was a German noble who became queen consort to George III upon their marriage in 1761.

The couple had 15 children – with their granddaughter Victoria, daughter of their third son Edward, later becoming Queen Victoria in 1837.

As shown in Bridgerton, King George III suffered several bouts of mental illness, which saw him dubbed ‘The Mad King George.’

Queen Charlotte is notable because she is considered Britain’s first - and, to now, only - Black queen.

Queen Charlotte was directly descended from Margarita de Castro y Sousa, a Black branch of the Portuguese royal house.