The writer Julia Quinn and the writer / producer Shonda Rhimes have joined forces for a ‘Bridgerton’ prequel novel. It will tell how Queen Charlotte came to the throne of England and will be based on the spin-off TV series already in the works for Netflix.
BRIDGERTON
A brief review is needed. Julia Quinn has written eight books dedicated to the narrative universe of ‘Bridgerton’: they tell romantic stories that take place in London’s high society, during the so-called Regency Age (1811-1820). Starting from these literary sources, Shonda Rhimes has created and produced the TV series ‘Bridgerton’, streaming on Netflix starting from 2020 and kissed by great success with the public: online for now there are two seasons, but the third and fourth and clearly the aim is to bring all of Quinn’s production to the small screen.
THE TV SERIES AND THE PREQUEL BOOK
In May 2021, Netflix officially funded one spin-off and prequel TV series dedicated to Queen Charlotte, which does not appear in Julia Quinn’s novels and is the original invention of the ‘Bridgerton’ show. The writing and production of the eight planned episodes have been entrusted to Shonda Rhimes, who intends to tell the first meeting between the future Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio will play her) and the future husband King George (Corey Mylchreest): the two will be the gravitational center of a great story of love and that social revolution that led the Crown to be as we have come to know it in ‘Bridgerton’.
Now comes news that the streaming release of the prequel series will be accompanied by the publication of the novel which represents the paper version. There is talk of a generic 2023, without specifying better the day and month. Commenting on the news, Julia Quinn said: “Adapting the books for the screen has been a very fascinating process, and it is an even more interesting challenge to do the opposite, this time bringing Shonda’s brilliant tale into a novel. I am particularly intrigued by the story. ‘idea of writing about Queen Charlotte, who does not appear in the original novels. This character, and the capitalized interpretation of Golda Rosheuvel, were an exciting element of the TV series. I think readers will love the opportunity to learn more about her. ” .