For my kids that aren’t trawling TikTok on their off-hours, then I’m sure “Hide from the heavens with me” means shit to you. Lucky.

 

But if you’re able to decipher the hidden meaning behind that quote, then you’ll realise it’s from the final moments of Queen Charlotte: A bridgerton story. The sidequest storyline presented by the revered (apparently) Shonda Rhimes. The show follows Queen Charlotte in both a prequel and sequel to the current Bridgerton series. Following the account of her meeting King George and then her plight for lineage with those dastardly children of hers. 15 fucking kids. She deserves a purple heart for that commitment.


Now I’m not the biggest Bridgerton fan, and I did skip through a fair bit of the first season–less so with the second. But the story itself isn’t what fuels me daily, it’s just okay. But, and it’s a big butt ladies, going into Queen Charlotte I was pleasantly surprised by the immediate charisma from India Ria Amarteifio, young Queen Charlotte. Not just for her likeness for Golda but she’s just a fricking delight on screen, jabs thrown naturally at her on-screen brother and the Princess Royal.

 

Though it’s never enough for me to look past the flaws the show has. Some of the storylines are left unfinished, and there seems to be no intent on changing that. While I don’t care, I’m not that caught up in the world of Bridgerton, it’s sort of a weird way of starting up a series if it’s intended to be a limited series with nowhere to go. I reckon it would benefit from another episode or two–but I digress. 

 

Visually, it’s as strong as the other series. I can’t take that from Shonda, she can shoot a damn show. The costuming is period-appropriate and I feel as though she’s taken some time to develop the change in time. The characters are well thought out though there’s a massive disconnect between the young and current Charlotte. I’m sure there’s been events occurring to create this jaded persona but the previous concern stands to reason–how are we meant to know that if we’re not shown it?

 

If you feel like trudging through a 6 episode melodrama that covers sex, hiding under beds or even the odd gay pipeline (shocking, I know) then this is perhaps the show for you. Some words of advice, a heeded warning. If you’re going into expecting something vastly different from the main series, reduce your expectations to zero. The show isn’t fresh, nor is it new. It just kind of exists in that same universe with the same characters at different times. Otherwise give it a go. 

 

6/10