Because Queen Charlotte is the best series in the Bridgerton universe

Producer of Bridgertonthe successful adaptation of Julia Quinn’s novels of the same name on Netflix, Shonda Rhimes has taken the reins of showrunner for its spinoff, Queen Charlotteand show.

The mother series, consisting of two seasons, works like a fairy tale in Jane Austen sauce: the pride of the characters hinders their happiness, up to the expected outcome, marriage. Queen Charlotte Come fill in the blanks of the famous “They lived happily and had many children”. In 1761 the series follows the adventures of the arranged marriage between Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (India Amarteifio) and King George III (Corey Mylchreest), while in 1817, at the time of the series Bridgertonan aging Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) faces a succession crisis after the death of her only legitimate granddaughter.

Lead the way

Inspired by one historian’s theory of Queen Charlotte’s potential origins, Shonda Rhimes relies on the genre of alternate history – a principle of rewriting history into fiction – imagining that the English Regency period was a turning point for black rights. If the series Bridgerton takes place in the heart of this post-racial English society, Queen Charlotte tells us about this paradigm shift, driven by the interracial marriage between Charlotte and George. The double temporality of the series makes it possible to measure the path covered in just over 50 years.

For the court to accept the mestizo ruler, the king’s mother, Augusta (Michelle Fairley) decides to try what she calls “the great experiment”. She grants peerages to several wealthy black families, including that of Agatha Danbury (Arsema Thomas), who becomes a close companion to Charlotte. Each at their own level, the two youngsters face the enormous pressure that comes with their status pioneers and representatives of the black community. They must ensure that this “great experience” does not stop with their generation. The character of Charlotte does echo of contemporary figures who paved the waysuch as Barack Obama, the first black man to become president of the United States, in 2009. The idea that people of mixed race, through their dual culture, have the power to reconcile peoples runs through the series.

Thanks to its main character the intersection of struggles (for the rights of women and blacks), Queen Charlotte it also implicitly addresses gender equality through Charlotte’s obligations and sacrifices, Lady Danbury’s choice of celibacy, or Augusta’s pressure from the executive.

The second timeline focuses on the friendship between older versions of Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury. The two widows discuss their sexual desire, an invisible topic when it comes to the elderly. An expert in ensemble series, Shonda Rhimes portrays diverse female bonds with remarkable wit, tinged with rivalry or sisterhood.

Love, in all its beauty and complexity

As Bridgerton, the pursuit of romantic love remains the central theme of this prequel. While Charlotte and Georges are lucky enough to fall in love after their arranged marriage, Agatha has suffered for several years from a loveless marriage and forced sexual relations with her husband. The premature death of the latter opens the doors to freedom for him. She will never want to get married again, which will not stop her from falling in love with a man. Shonda Rhimes explores the complexity between marriage and love and offers different role models, without ever judging her female characters, who struggle in a patriarchal and heteronormative society.

A successful romance must be Inverted. In Queen Charlotte, the disturbing element does not come from outside. The couple’s happiness is soon overshadowed by the king’s mental illness, who tries to hide his condition from his wife. He is ready to do anything to get well, even at the cost of suffering martyrdom at the hands of “doctors” with cruel methods. The series thus addresses the delicate issue of mental health. Shonda Rhimes manages to realize this poignant love story, without idealizing it.

The beautiful romantic sequences alternate with the terrible loneliness of Charlotte. The character falls into nurse syndrome : it is thanks to her that George finds a semblance of balance in his life and manages to remain in power. She is her rock, but she can often only count on herself.

The secret love story of the pair of waiters Brimsley and Reynolds resonates with that of the royal couple. We are not ready to forget the dance scene between the two lovers, which ends with a time jump where Brimsley dances alone… This first LGBTQ+ couple in the universe of Bridgerton, built with as much care and moments of grace as the others, comes to enrich this great theme of love in all its diversity. Season 3 of Bridgertonexpected in the coming months, will have a lot to do to reach the pinnacle of this exciting Queen Charlotte.

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