'Heartbreaking' period drama declared 'much better than' Bridgerton streaming on Netflix

For fans of Bridgerton, there is a very bingeable period drama series which has landed on Netflix. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will be right up their street, providing many more hours of historical drama.

Created by Shonda Rhimes and acting as a prequel spin-off to Bridgerton, it focuses on the early life, marriage, and rise to power of Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and King George III (Corey Mylchreest) in the 18th century, mixing historical inspiration with fiction. The six-episode limited series explores the origins of the royal romance, the King's hidden mental health struggles, and the "Great Experiment" that led to an integrated society within the Bridgerton universe. The series provides backstory for characters like Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury, and Violet Bridgerton, while maintaining the same lavish aesthetic of the original show.

In the first week after its premiere, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story debuted at number one in 91 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, South Africa and Canada, and topped the Netflix Global Weekly Top 10 in May 2023.

Meanwhile, Time ranked the series as one of the five Best New TV Shows of May 2023. On review site Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 80 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10.

One fan declared the show to be "better than the orginal" on IMDB. They wrote: "Better than the original. I have enjoyed the original Bridgerton, but only after watching Queen Charlotte have I realised just how much was lacking from it.

"The original Bridgerton series, compared to this one, is too distracted, with a destination that's clear and safe, such that space is set for a hazy or careless middle.

"This show however carries itself with its goal in mind and does it with grace. It is just six episodes, shorter than the original, but never for once feels hastened. With every scene you can sense the care with which it was made, that it meant something to someone somewhere to form this in the way it was formed.

"Most importantly, it had gall, and it did it in a way that was never gratuitous. Don't get me wrong, I love the laid-backery of the original series, but sometimes I think you have to step close to the fire and burn some skin.

"Also, the cast was capable, but the shining star has to be the woman who plays the younger lady Danbury, she just glows (much as the older one) and steals the story.

"It is a sizeable shame that this is a limited series. Big compliments!"