Fans of the Bridgerton universe have been impatiently waiting for season three of Netflix’s popular regency era period drama. 

So far, each season has focused on the dramatic love story of one of the eight Bridgerton siblings, starting with Daphne, followed by her big brother Anthony. Each season has taken place against a colourful backdrop with sumptuous costume design and excellent adaptations of popular modern music to fit the period, to name just two highlights.

For those who didn’t already know, 2023 isn’t the year we get to watch Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington’s love story unfold. That’s on the agenda for 2024. Instead, 2023 is the year of Queen Charlotte, the most powerful, and certainly one of the most fun to watch characters of the Bridgerton stories. 

Starring India Amarteifio, Golda Rosheuvel, Corey Mylchreest and Arsema Thomas; Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story, which had its London premiere on April 21st 2023, in Leicester Square, is a six-episode prequel about the rise and love life of the young Queen. I had the pleasure of attending said premiere and watching the first episode of the new series. The good news is that much of what fans love about the first two seasons seems to be present in this prequel. Specifically, the intriguing love story, the often fun/funny dialogue and the memorable, well-styled musical score/soundtrack. Not to forget the colourful, stunningly designed world in which all these elements live.

One of the first things you notice while watching the trailer for Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story is what a great job the casting director has done. Especially regarding the young versions of Queen Charlotte and Lady Agatha Danbury. As for how much I enjoyed episode one overall, I can say that I liked it most towards the end, after the wedding. I can also say that the way episode one concludes had my mind conjuring up the Netflix site as I saw myself immediately clicking the ‘Next Episode’ button, something all fans will have to patiently wait for until May 4th 2023. 

As for the elements of episode one that had me least enthused, personally, the shots of the wedding seemed too long. The story edit needed to do a little more to keep me fully locked in because the pace left me wanting in places. Also, there wasn’t quite enough going on for me to think, ‘My, my, this is super.’ That is, of course, until after the wedding. Hence my mind conjuring up said ‘Next Episode’ button. 

Overall, there is simply too much promise for me not to watch the remaining five episodes on May 4th. Particularly since since there are few things I love more than to watch any woman claim her power.

Queen Charlotte – A Briderton Story Release Dates: May 4th, 2023, Netflix.

Happy Film Loving,

G