After what felt like an absolute eternity, Netflix’s smash hit period drama Bridgerton returned to our screens in March with another epic season. Following the love story of Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, the second series saw newcomer Kate Sharma and her sister Edwina stir things up with their entrance into Regency society, with all of the requisite romance, drama and scandal that we’d hoped for. 

With nine books in Julia Quinn’s series, it’s looking likely that Bridgerton will reign supreme on the streaming platform for a good while to come. But while we wait for the confirmed third season to hit our screens, we now know some of what the highly anticipated Bridgerton prequel has in store for us.

The yet-to-be-named series will focus on the backstories of Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). But it seems as though the upcoming series has been the perfect bed of inspiration for Netflix series executive producer Shonda Rhimes and Quinn, as the two are now working on a prequel novel.

Exploring Queen Charlotte’s life must have been such an intriguing premise as, in a random turn of events, the collaboration novel is actually inspired by Rhimes’ series. According to Variety, the book will tell the story of how Charlotte met and married King George, with a focus on how their love led to a social shift that created the racially inclusive world seen in the television series.

The book’s publication will be timed to the release of the new eight-episode Netflix series and speaking about the new book, Quinn said: “Taking Bridgerton from book to screen was fascinating for me to watch, and it’s such an exciting challenge for me to take it in the other direction, this time crafting Shonda’s brilliant vision into a novel.

“I’m especially thrilled to have the opportunity to write about Queen Charlotte, who was not in the original novels. Her character – and Golda Rosheuvel’s brilliant portrayal of her – was a tour de force, and I think readers will love getting a chance to know her more deeply.”

Rhimes also said: “Queen Charlotte has been such a moving character to write and now having the opportunity to work with Julia to adapt this story into a book is such an exciting opportunity. 

“I can’t wait for fans of this universe to read the story of a character that has resonated so deeply with our audience.”

So, how exactly will the spin-off series chronicle the lives of not only Queen Charlotte, but of Lady Bridgerton and Lady Danbury also? Well, both Andoh and Rosheuvel have teased just how the new series will unfold.

Speaking to TVLine, Andoh said that her character’s strategic approach came to a fore in their youth and revealed: “You need to strategise. These courts are not cuddly, friendly places. They’re rabid, and you have to survive.

“Lady Danbury has gotten to a position of comfort and safety and status because she learned to play the game, and you will see how.”

Meanwhile, Rosheuvel advised fans to keep an eye out for the way that the Queen’s relationships with Agatha and Violet unfold, especially after viewers saw slivers of her vulnerability in season two. 

Speaking about the poignant topic of the King’s mental illness and how that impacted the trio of friends, she recalls: “I know that they’ve seen him behave like this before, and I know that they know what’s going on because I’ve told them. They’re my mates. They are like family.”

We’re sure the feeling of family will run through this prequel series and if the cast is anything to go by, we’re in for a veritable treat of a drama.

First announced in May 2021, the limited series penned by Shonda Rhimes will trace the journey of one of Bridgerton’s breakout characters and fan favourite, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuval).

Per Deadline, the show will “centre on the rise and love life of a young Queen Charlotte, the reimagined character added to the Bridgerton series that was not in Julia Quinn’s novels.”

The untitled show, according to Variety, also tells the story of “how the young Queen’s marriage to King George sparked both a great love story and a societal shift, creating the world of the Ton inherited by the characters in Bridgerton”.

But the spinoff from Shondaland won’t only delve into the rise of Queen Charlotte. We’ll also get an insight into the stories of Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell).

Hot off the heels of the release of Bridgerton season 2, Netflix has now announced casting for the series.

India Amarteifio (Line Of Duty) will headline the new series as the young Queen Charlotte, who, according to a new character description, has been betrothed to the mysterious King of England against her will.

“Charlotte arrives in London only to realise she was not exactly what the royals were expecting. As she learns to navigate the palace, the ‘ton and her unpredictable husband, she grows into one of Europe’s most unforgettable monarchs.”

Corey Mylchreest, meanwhile, will play young King George. “Handsome, charismatic, and a bit of a mystery, George has always bowed to the restraints placed on him as the Crown,” reads the description. “Until now. Having to share his space, and bed, with his new wife forces George to face his hidden demons head on.”

The cast also includes Michelle Fairley (Gangs Of London) as Princess Augusta, who is determined to maintain her family’s power and do what it takes to secure her son’s place as monarch amidst a changing, modernising Britain.

Newcomer Arsema Thomas will also make her television debut as a young Lady Danbury. “Under the thumb of a much older husband, Agatha uses Charlotte’s arrival to find her own way into society,” reads the description. “With keen knowledge of the once divided social scene and the intricacies of marriage, Agatha becomes a guiding light for the new Queen, all while finding her own voice and power we’ll soon recognise as Bridgerton’s iconic Lady Danbury.

Rosheuval, Andoh, and Gemmell are also set to reprise their roles as the older versions of the characters.

Additional cast members include Sam Clemmett (West End’s Harry Potter And The Cursed Child) as young Brimsley, Richard Cunningham (The Witcher) as Lord Bute, Tunji Kasim (Nancy Drew) as Adolphus, Rob Maloney (Casualty) as the royal doctor, Cyril Nri (Cucumber) as Lord Danbury and Hugh Sachs (Bridgerton) as Brimsley (older).

“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 in a statement last year.

“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.”

While there’s no word on a release date for the series just yet, rest assured that Bridgerton fans have some royally good Netflix binges ahead of them.

Images: Netflix