I’m going to start this off with a controversial opinion: I don’t think “Bridgerton” is a good show. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed watching the show, but I didn’t really like it. I just didn’t feel very connected to or invested in the characters and didn’t really care about the romantic plot. As a result, I didn’t have very high hopes for “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” but it greatly exceeded my expectations and had me deeply invested in the characters.

Unlike “Bridgerton,” “Queen Charlotte” was not adapted from one of the many Bridgerton novels by Julia Quinn. It was created as a prequel to the Bridgerton series.

“Queen Charlotte” depicts the young love story between the infamous Queen Charlotte and her husband, King George. It gives a much-needed backstory to their marriage and explains why present King George is so absent in “Bridgerton” aside from his quick appearance in season two which left many viewers, like myself, in tears. This initial introduction to George exposed his mental instability, but it was not explained any further. It is “Queen Charlotte” that gives the much-needed and anticipated context to his condition.

Overall, “Queen Charlotte” was a great show. It was entertaining and emotional. However, the best aspect has to be the casting. Although the cast isn’t well known… yet, each and every member of the cast fit their role perfectly. Not to mention the amazing chemistry between Queen Charlotte and King George. It is this chemistry that really makes the show by keeping the viewer invested.

While Charlotte and George dominate the romantic screen time, they do not have the only love story present in this series. The series also covers a secret affair between the queen’s man, Brimsley, and the king’s man, Reynolds. This sweet, loving relationship is one of the highlights of the show and attributes to one of the most heartbreaking moments.

However, if you aren’t a romantic, there are many other aspects of the show that you will love. For example, the costuming is absolutely amazing. Not only are the costumes amazing, but the hairstyles are as well. Queen Charlotte didn’t wear a single dress that wasn’t stunning and her wigs were unmatched.

Not only does the show give an explanation for King George’s erratic behavior and absence for most of the series, but it also illustrates how the “ton” came to be so diverse. “Queen Charlotte” covers a social and political experiment known as “The Great Experiment,” which began the acceptance of the integration of society and equality for all. It is Charlotte’s marriage to George that seals the fate of this “experiment.”

“Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” has something for everyone, but I would not recommend watching it with your parents. The beautiful love stories will have you grinning one minute and crying the next. This series is definitely worth your time whether you are an avid “Bridgerton” fan or not.