Netflix [夏洛特王后：柏捷頓家族前傳] 7點演員介紹、影評心得

"Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Prequel" is a new popular American series launched by Netflix in early May. The series consists of 6 episodes, each about an hour long, and it soared to the top of the global charts just a few days after its premiere. The story takes place before "Bridgerton: A Tale of Noble Families," and combines historical facts with innovative fictional story elements.

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The Historical Story of "Queen Charlotte"

"Queen Charlotte" is a drama that combines reality and fiction. It is based on Queen Charlotte of the British royal family, but does not entirely follow historical fact.

In history, King George III, upon ascending to the throne, urgently needed to find a queen and an heir to stabilize his position. As a result, Queen Dowager Augusta chose Charlotte, a Protestant noblewoman from Germany, for him. On September 8, 1761, the then 17-year-old Charlotte arrived in England and married George III at their first meeting, followed by a coronation ceremony a few weeks later. Their first child was born within a year after their marriage. George III was one of the few faithful monarchs in the Hanoverian dynasty. He had no mistresses and no record of infidelity. He and Charlotte had 15 children together, 13 of whom successfully grew up.

Queen Charlotte: India Amarteifio

India Ria Amarteifio, a British actress, was born on September 17, 2001. Her father hails from Ghana, while her mother is German.

Amarteifio made her on-screen debut in the 2019 comedic drama "Military Wives". In 2022, she featured in the Sky Max sci-fi drama "The Midwich Cuckoos", playing Nora Randall. The following year, she landed a key role in Netflix's period drama "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" as a young version of the main character played by Golda Rosheuvel.

In 2023, she was named one of the "10 Brits to Watch" by Variety and heralded as a rising star by Tatler magazine.

"Two Storylines in Queen Charlotte?"

"Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Prequel" unfolds its narrative through contrasting two royal successions crises approximately 30 years apart.

The first story arc concerns newly-crowned King George III, who, within his first year of reign, marries Charlotte of Mecklenburg in Northern Germany to secure his position and produce an heir. This marriage, orchestrated and conducted under the pressure of the Queen Mother and the parliament, sees the couple meet for the first time on their wedding day. Initially, this storyline is presented from Charlotte's perspective before eventually delving into George III's viewpoint.

The second storyline takes place in the latter part of George III's reign. The royal family faces succession issues following the death of Princess Augusta, the only daughter of the Prince of Wales (later George IV), due to childbirth complications. Already retired from her regency duties, Queen Charlotte worries about the succession problem, fearing an end to the royal bloodline, which exacerbates tensions between her and her children.

The first three episodes might seem a bit chaotic, and potentially confusing, particularly with the same character portrayed by different actors and the narrative jumping back and forth. However, things do improve from the fourth episode onward!

Queen Charlotte: Outspoken and Clever

Charlotte of Mecklenburg was just 17 when she set foot on British soil. Within a mere six hours, she married George III, a man she had never met before, and they spent most of their marriage living apart. Despite feeling deceived when she discovered George III's mental health issues after becoming pregnant, she chose to remain loyal, demonstrating her resilience and invincibility.

Queen Charlotte's optimism, determination, and decisiveness made her a pillar of strength for George III. She never shied away from expressing her thoughts to anyone, whether it be her mother-in-law or servants. She was always forthright and unafraid.

Whether it was saving George III from harsh medical procedures, encouraging him before his parliamentary speeches, or listening to his inner turmoil during his bouts of illness, Charlotte was his rock, making him feel that with her by his side, he could accomplish anything.

George III: Corey Mylchreest

Born in May 1998, Corey Mylchreest is a British actor and a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Post-graduation, Mylchreest performed in Shakespearean plays such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream", directed by Abbey Wood. He made his on-screen debut in the first episode of "The Sandman", a Netflix adaptation of Neil Gaiman's work in 2022.

In 2022, Mylchreest was chosen to play a young, fictional version of King George III in the period drama prequel miniseries, "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," which premiered on Netflix in May 2023. Karama Horne of TheWrap commended the chemistry between Mylchreest and India Amarteifio, who plays Queen Charlotte, and felt that he "capably conveyed the confusion in King George's mind without overacting."

Lady Danbury: Arséma Thomas

One of the most striking supporting characters in the series is Lady Danbury, who was married off at the age of six to a much older man and struggled to claim her family's rightful power. Having established a friendship with the Queen and maintaining a balance in all relationships, she is arguably one of the wisest characters in the series.

Arséma Angela Adeoluwayemi Hamera Thomas, born on June 19, 1994, is an American actress. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, her parents hail from Nigeria and Ethiopia and both serve as diplomats.

In 2020, she participated in an online Shakespeare reading at the Johannesburg Market Theatre. After signing with the South African and London agency, Accelerate Management, she landed her first film role as Rebecca in the 2022 premiere of "Heart of Redemption."

In 2022, Thomas was selected to play a young Agatha Danbury in the Netflix series "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Prequel." She was working as a butcher's assistant in Notting Hill, London when she found out about her selection. To prepare for the role, Thomas read anti-racist and feminist literature by authors like Bell Hooks, Angela Y. Davis, Zora Neale Hurston, and Assata Shakur, drawing from her grandmother's experience of an arranged marriage at the age of seven for performance ideas. Throughout the entire audition process, she maintained a British accent.

The Reluctant Character of George III

George III was aware of his own mental illness. Thus, from the very beginning of their marriage, he purchased Buckingham House as a residence for Charlotte, while he chose to live at Kew Palace. In search of a cure for his illness, George III underwent various treatments, which undoubtedly caused great distress to his physical and mental health.

After marrying Charlotte, George III received her steadfast support. For a while, he moved back to Buckingham House to live with Charlotte and believed he no longer needed doctors, as he saw Charlotte as his best therapist. George III was always the most affectionate one. Despite his physical ailment, he endured brutal treatments, all in order to fulfill his duties as a king and spend the rest of his life with his beloved Charlotte. His character is truly moving!