At the end of 2020, Netflix released a production that in no time became an audience favorite:Bridgerton. This romantic TV show is based on Julia Quinn’s literary series, and marksShondaland’s first scripted showfor the streaming platform, with Shonda Rhimes serving as producer and writer. Set in the Regency Era, the series features the eight children of a noble family named Bridgerton as they navigate their youth and transition to adulthood in London’s elite society.
Bridgertonhas already been on the air for two seasons, with the second one shattering ratings' records, prompting the announcement of a third and fourth season scheduled for the future. Moreover,the show’s popularityled to the creation of other projects to expand its universe, and that’s how, earlier this month, Netflix launched its first spin-off,Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
With Rhimes at the helm as creator and young actress India Amarteifio leading the cast,Queen Charlotteserves as both a spin-off and a prequel to the original show, focusing on the titular character, whose story is not fully explored in Bridgerton. Thus, throughout the six episodes of this production, the audiencefollows Charlotte’s life storyin two timelines, the present day in 1817 and her introduction to queendom in 1761, which chronicles the beginnings of her relationship with King George, further exploring their marriage and the man’s illness.
Just like Bridgerton,Queen Charlotteearned rave reviews and very quickly became one of the most streamed productions on the entire platform, paving the way for future projects set in this universe. Let’s take a look at this production’s cast and the shows and movies they starred in before landing parts inQueen Charlotte.
India Amarteifio
India Amarteifiostars in this Netflix miniseries as 1761’s Queen Charlotte, and so far, this is the most important role in the career of this British actress. Amarteifio took her first steps in the industry at a very young age, performing in several stage productions, first as a dancer and, later, as an actress. In 2013, she made her TV acting debut in the filmGangsta Granny, a production based on David Walliams' children’s book of the same name.
Subsequently, the actress landed a role inThe Evermoor Chronicles, a TV series aired on Disney Channel. Before starring inQueen Charlotte, India made a small cameo in another popular Netflix series,Sex Education.
Related:Producer Shonda Rhimes Teases More Bridgerton Spinoffs
Golda Rosheuvel
Golda Rosheuvelplays Queen Charlotte in the miniseries of the same name and also in the original show, and just like Amarteifio, this is her most popular role so far. However, the actress has been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, and has been involved in stage, TV and film projects since her debut in the 2000 TV seriesGreat Performances. One of the most important productions of Rosheuvel’s career is the 2016 filmLady Macbeth, a drama by William Oldroyd inspired by Nikolai Leskov’s novel starring the dazzling Florence Pugh.
After landing the role of Charlotte inBridgerton, Rosheuvel made a cameo in the TV seriesDeath in Paradiseandjoined the cast ofDune, Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi film featuring performances by Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Stellan Skarsgård, among many other artists.
Arsema Thomas
Arsema Thomasplays the younger version of Lady Danbury inQueen Charlotte, just as she’s introduced to her title and force to navigate her new life in the Queen’s court. An American actress, Thomas' credits are on the lesser side, but this is because she originally charted a different course in her professional life. Indeed, she initially planned to pursue a career in public health.
However, after the death of her father, Thomas turned her attention to acting. In 2022, she appeared as Rebecca in the Christian western romance film,Redeeming Love. Her scene-stealing turn inQueen Charlotteis sure to see her star rise.
Adjoa Andoh
Adjoa AndohjoinedBridgertonin 2020 to play Lady Danbury, a role she reprises inQueen Charlotte. Throughout her career, this actress has appeared in all kinds of productions, not only British but also American. One of her most popular roles to date is Francine Jones in the seriesDoctor Who, which she reprised in different episodes from 2007 onwards. She also made cameos in shows such asThe WitcherandSilent Witness, among others.
Although Andoh worked mostly on TV, she has also landed roles in several film productions, including the 2009 movieInvictus, directed by Clint Eastwood, andFractured, Brad Anderson’s thriller in which she co-starred alongside Sam Worthington, Lily Rabe, and Stephen Tobolowsky.
Corey Mylchreest
Corey Mylchreestplays King George, Charlotte’s husband. This young English actor has been pursuing his passion for acting for several years, and in fact, he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. However, Mylchreest took his first steps in the entertainment industry just a few years ago, starring in the stage playRomeo & Julietat the New Forest Open Air Theatre, in Hampshire.
So far, Mylchreest’s portfolio comprises his role in the miniseriesQueen Charlotte, a number of stage plays, and a cameo in another Netflix series,The Sandman. However, considering his work in Rhimes' popular historical drama, he is set fora promising futurein the industry.
Ruth Gemmell
Since 2020,Ruth Gemmellhas played Lady Violet Bridgerton, a role she later reprised inQueen Charlotte. This actress has worked in film, theater, radio, and television, focusing more broadly on the latter. Over the years, she has starred in a number of TV shows, such as the Showtime horror dramaPenny Dreadful, the crime dramaMidsomer Murders, andHome Fires, a project in which she served as a main cast member for the show’s two-season run.
Notable films in Gemmell’s career includeFever Pitch, a 1997 comedy she starred in alongside Colin Firth, andF, a 2010 slasher film written and directed by Johannes Roberts.
Michelle Fairley
Michelle Fairleyplays Princess Augusta, King George’s mother. However, this actress has been in the entertainment industry for 34 years, and, despite taking part in many productions, Fairley became worldwide famous for her role as Catelyn Stark in the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.
This is not the only acclaimed show in which the actress has taken part: Fairley also landed roles inSuits,24: Live Another DayandGangs of London, to name just a few of the many TV productions in which she portrayed characters. Fairley is also a familiar face on the silver screen, appearing in movies such asThe Others,Philomena,andHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, in which she made a small cameo as Mrs. Granger, Hermione’s mother.
Related:Queen Charlotte: Every Classical Cover of Modern Songs in the Bridgerton Series, Ranked
Sam Clemmett
InQueen Charlotte,Sam Clemmettplays the young version of Brimsley, the Queen’s secretary. This young man, who was always keen on acting, started his career in theater, consecrating himself in 2016 with his role as Albus Severus Potter in the stage playHarry Potter and the Cursed Child, a part he played from 2016 to 2019 across theaters in London and New York City.
In 2013, Clemmett made his TV acting debut in the mystery seriesFoyle’s War, and has spent the last decade making cameos in shows such asDoctorsandHolby City. His best-known film productions to date are the crime drama filmCherry, starring Tom Holland, andThe War Below, both released in 2021.
Freddie Dennis
InQueen Charlotte,Freddie Dennisplays King George’s right-hand and closest confidante, Reynolds. Ever loyal to the king, Reynolds does everything he can to protect the King and make sure his mental challenges are kept secret from everyone, including Queen Charlotte herself and Brimsley, Reynold’s lover.
Dennis graduated from the Oxford School of Drama, a recent accomplishment in fact. As such, prior toQueen Charlotte, his only other credit is the TV series,The Nevers.
Hugh Sachs
Hugh Sachsis the actor who plays the older version of Brimsley in bothQueen CharlotteandBridgerton. Although he has been involved in a few films over the years, such asThe LibertineandLike Minds, he has certainly been more involved in TV, making his debut in the 1993 comedy-dramaMinder. His best known role to date is Gavin Ramsbottom in the British sitcomBenidorm, a part he played for six years. Some of the other shows in which he has made cameos includeEndeavour,Rome,andFamily Tree.
