Netflix did almost everything right with the “Bridgerton” prequel “Queen Charlotte”: The prequel combines everything that fans of the series love about “Bridgerton” — and supplements it with the more seriousness and depth that critics want.
“The show is individual on its own,” lead actor Corey Mylchreest tells Variety. The 25-year-old embodies King George III, who suffers from a mental illness in “Queen Charlotte”. “While it feels like ‘Bridgerton,’ it has darker moments and is a bit grittier,” says Mylchreest of the script. The series is creating a new story with more depth, it feels like something of its own, the actor said.
“Queen Charlotte” tells the love story between the German-born black Queen Charlotte and King George III, which arises from an arranged marriage. The main focus is on Charlotte’s rise as the first black queen, which goes hand in hand with more emancipation and equality for “people of color”. Nevertheless, the relationship between Charlotte and George – as well as the hurdles that stand in their way – also plays an elementary role.
George suffers from a mysterious illness that makes living together almost impossible. His mental illness has the king firmly in its grip, only the unconditional love of his wife saves him from madness in the end. Netflix is thus orienting itself towards the life of the real George III, who is said to have suffered from hallucinations and physical and mental pain.
“As a show we don’t diagnose George, but as an actor I had to make a decision,” says Mylchreest of how he embodies the role of the king on the show. “Otherwise the work would not have been specific enough and possibly too aggressive. I did a lot of research to understand how his childhood might have shaped his behavior,” he explains. Together with director Tom Verica and an expert, the actor deciphered George’s behavior step by step.
With regard to the sex scenes, too, Mylchreest sees much more depth in “Queen Charlotte” than in “Bridgerton” itself. The intimate scenes alone would tell a story. “You have an arc of tension, a beginning, a middle and an end,” he explains. While that alone wouldn’t be a prerequisite for a good story, it’s quite different from the sex scenes in Bridgerton, which wouldn’t make much sense in comparison.
In addition, the sexual closeness and relationship between the characters changes from episode to episode. While initially it was all about the conception of a royal offspring and Charlotte and George only became sexually active on even days, towards the end of the season the focus was primarily on the emotional level. The number of days was irrelevant now, the desire for closeness sprang from true intimacy and love. “‘Bridgerton’ has been criticized in the past for the amount of ‘redundant’ intimate scenes. We are very proud that ‘Queen Charlotte’ is not the case,” says the actor. Charlotte actress India Amarteifio and he managed to build his own storyline around the sex scenes.
Still, shooting the sex scenes for Mylchreest was “nerve-wracking” at first, he says. He says: “The first time was nerve-wracking. But we just said, ‘Let’s go’. And then it was very easy.” He is aware that he is saying this as a man on a set with a male director, but he does not hope that his statements will contribute to the stigmatization of it.
The good atmosphere on the set also contributed to the relaxed atmosphere during the sex scenes, adds Amarteifio. “They created such a safe space and made us feel like we really had something to say in some scenes. It’s one thing when you’re told, ‘Yes, you can speak freely’, but it’s different when you really feel it,” says the 21-year-old. The sex scenes on the show all have a purpose. “We don’t take things in just for their sake.” The result is a testament from screenwriter Shonda Rhimes in collaboration with the team — all of them “real, wonderful people who understood that it was about a show and a storyline.”
Arsema Thomas, who embodies the young Lady Agatha, also remembers the shooting fondly. “It was so detailed that it was more dialogue than sex in capital letters,” she describes her experience. She felt comfortable and always had the feeling that she was being looked after. “When the director said ‘cut, we’re done’, we were just Arsema and Keir or Arsema and Cyril again,” she says. The differentiation between role and reality was elementary.
During the shoot, Thomas had sex scenes with two men. In addition to her misogynist, much older husband, Lady Agatha begins an affair with Lord Ledger, who makes her feel special. “She didn’t even think it was possible for her to enjoy sex at all,” says Thomas of her role. “In her imagination, it was something you did to make babies, something you did when you were a woman. It was like embroidering pillows or talking over tea.”
In order to exploit her full strength and personality, she had to learn that she can also say “no”, explains the actress. “She had to learn that she could say whatever she wanted and that she could earn sexual pleasure just like the man.” To experience that in front of the camera was “beautiful”, says Thomas. It was easy for her to shoot the sex scenes. “One relationship is based on passion, the other is completely missing,” she differentiates. Both experiences were formative for her as an actress.
Those: “Variety”
