Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sexy, campy spin-off addresses race and racism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
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Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
What's the Story?
QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY, a prequel in the Bridgerton franchise, tells the fictitious story of Queen Charlotte's rise to prominence in 18th century England. When 17-year-old Princess Charlotte of Mecklenberg-Strelitz (India Ria Amarteifio) is married off by her brother Adolphus (Tunji Kasim) to the young King George III of England (Corey Mylchreest), she quickly feels isolated thanks to her new husband's mercurial behavior, and the fact that she has more "Moorish" blood (aka darker skin) than the monarchy and the government expected. Nonetheless, the king's mother, Princess Augusta (Michelle Fairley), is desperate for heirs, and attempts to make what they call the "Great Experiment" work by introducing new people to the Ton (British upper class) who look like Charlotte, including the young Lady Agatha Danbury (Arsema Thomas), who quickly becomes the Queen's new confidant. As Charlotte adjusts to her new life, including constantly being followed by the young Brimsley (Sam Clemmett), she also sparks an era of change to British high society. But she continues to hope for the love of the king, while her mother-in-law hopes to keep the family bloodline alive.
Is It Any Good?
The Bridgerton prequel, which revolves around a fictionalized version of the real Queen Charlotte, uses flashbacks as a way of telling the story of George and Charlotte's tumultuous 57-year-long marriage. As it unfolds, there are moments when the narrative takes us back to the older and more familiar Queen (played by Golda Rosheuvl) and her confidants as she attempts to preserve her family's royal line.
But unlike the original series, Queen Charlotte acknowledges Charlotte's character as being a Black woman (a casting decision that points to the real Queen Consort's unproven Black Portuguese ancestry), and makes race and racism central to the story. These conversations are not subtle, and go so far as to allude to contemporary controversies surrounding Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Meanwhile, despite having to work within the patriarchal norms of the Regency period, the women are empowered, and consistently make decisions that impact the trajectory of their families' lives. On top of the historical drama, it still features the steamy scenes and campy moments Bridgerton is known for. Nonetheless, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story weaves a robust and genuine tale that's both interesting and entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the real Queen Charlotte. Did her background make a difference in her life? Or were there efforts to downplay the color of her skin, or hide her family tree?
What are some of the different ways Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story addresses race and racism? Is it simply Charlotte's skin color that is an issue? How is this conversation connected to other social issues, like socioeconomic class?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 4, 2023
- Cast : Golda Rosheuvl , India Ria Amarteifio , Corey Mylchreest
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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