Has it felt a bit like we’ve been in a Bridgerverse purgatory? After all, the third season of Bridgerton is currently filming, and the last we heard or saw anything about Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, it was back in September at Netflix’s Tudum event, when we were treated to our first look at the young Queen Charlotte and we saw a clip that revealed the moment she met her young king and future husband.
That’s all well and good — but we want more, right?! Well, fear not. Just before we ring in a new year, Shondaland has a sweet little reveal: your first look at young Lady Danbury, played by Arsema Thomas!
In the forthcoming prequel series created, written, and executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, we get to see the origin story of not only our Queen Charlotte, but also of Agatha Danbury — that stoic, savvy, stand-up citizen of the ton who always seems to know what’s going on before everyone else. These two women form a bond very early on in Queen Charlotte’s reign, and as the image shows, there’s a lot at stake.
“I wish I could be my character!” Thomas recently told Shondaland when asked about playing this now-iconic Bridgerton presence. “She’s taught me so much. I’m much more reactive, and she is somebody who really thinks about what she’s going to do and what she wants, and how to achieve that. She’s so strategic. She reminds me a lot of my own mother, which I drew on, and someone who I aspire to be [like].”
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story chronicles how the young queen ascended the throne and, once atop the monarchy, found herself in a marriage that was as much a love story as it was a union that changed society forever. And we should not underestimate Lady Danbury’s part in any of it.
If you’d like to see more tidbits from the upcoming show, you can watch (or rewatch!) Tudum on Netflix’s YouTube channel for more insights. And while there’s so much more to come from season three of Bridgerton and the debut season of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, for now, make sure to catch up on everything we know about Bridgerton season three, and listen and subscribe to Bridgerton: The Official Podcast, available on Apple, iHeart, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Also, be sure to check back here for more information, photos, and inside looks as more is released over the coming months.
Valentina Valentini is a London-based entertainment, travel, and food writer and is also a senior contributor to Shondaland. Elsewhere, she has written for Vanity Fair, Vulture, Variety, Thrillist, Heated, and The Washington Post. Her personal essays can be read in the Los Angeles Times and Longreads, and her tangents and general complaints can be seen on Twitter at @ByValentinaV.
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