Queen Charlotte flanked by different versions of King George

Francesca and Michaela’s romance has what it takes to be better than Charlotte and George’s.

Not many expected Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story to surpass Bridgerton, but the prequel proved them wrong as it is a beautiful depiction of Queen Charlotte and King George III’s romance (as well as the origin stories of characters such as Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton). Consequently, it will be difficult for any of the original show’s couples to live up to Charlotte and George. The 2023 historical fiction limited series, created by Shonda Rhimes, serves as a spinoff to Bridgerton, jumping between two timelines — one in 1814 and the other in 1761 — as it tells Charlotte’s story.

Meanwhile, every season of Bridgerton follows one romance for one of the Bridgerton siblings. Season 1 covers Daphne and Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings’ love story, while season 2 focuses on Anthony and his complicated romance with Kate Sharma and season 3 finally brings Colin and Penelope Featherington together. Bridgerton season 4 will adapt Benedict’s story from Julia Quinn’s book series as he meets and falls in love with Sophie Beckett. Despite each couple’s intrigue, Bridgerton has a challenge following Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story — create a love story that’s better than Charlotte and George’s.

Bridgerton’s Best Romance Isn’t Actually In The Main Bridgerton Show

Charlotte & George’s Love Story Is Incredibly Powerful

queen charlotte & george in garden
Charlotte supports George after his breakdown in the palace gardens in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Queen Charlotte and King George III celebrate their marriage
India Amarteifio as young Queen Charlotte placing her hand on Corey Mylchreest as young King George's face in Queen Charlotte episode 6
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte and James Fleet as King George looking at one another underneath a bed in Queen Charlotte A Bridgerton Story episode 6queen charlotte & george in garden Charlotte supports George after his breakdown in the palace gardens in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Queen Charlotte and King George III celebrate their marriage India Amarteifio as young Queen Charlotte placing her hand on Corey Mylchreest as young King George's face in Queen Charlotte episode 6 Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte and James Fleet as King George looking at one another underneath a bed in Queen Charlotte A Bridgerton Story episode 6

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story primarily focuses on Charlotte and George’s arranged marriage in the 1760s and further explains George’s mysterious illness, which had been previously teased in Bridgerton. Over the course of the show’s six episodes, viewers watch as Charlotte and George fall in love despite their hardships and other circumstances. It’s inspiring and beautiful, with George pushing Charlotte away after their wedding to protect her from himself. Meanwhile, Charlotte strives to understand what’s wrong with her husband and figure out why he doesn’t want to see her. Once Charlotte learns the truth, the floodgates open.

Bridgerton Season
Release Date
Tomatometer
Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes
IMDb

Bridgerton season 1
December 25, 2020
87%
70%
7.7

Bridgerton season 2
March 25, 2022
77%
74%
8.0

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
May 4, 2023
95%
73%
7.5

Bridgerton season 3
Part 1: May 16, 2024 Part 2: June 13, 2024
88%
78%
8.0

Even though the first time they meet is on their wedding day, Charlotte and George fall in love and stand as one to lead their country by the end of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Their tale is one of hope, tragedy, and everything in between. As a result, Bridgerton must try extra hard to produce a couple that can live up to Charlotte and George’s legacy in the series. Unfortunately, Colin and Penelope’s love story in season 3 didn’t surpass Charlotte and George’s, although they are still a strong couple.

Bridgerton Seasons 1 & 2 Already Set Charlotte & George’s Story Up For Greatness

George Is Scarcely Seen In The Original Series

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte byt the bedside of James Fleet as King George in Bridgerton season 2

Netflix’s Bridgerton teases Charlotte and George’s romance in its first two seasons as George makes a handful of appearances, most of which portray him in an unstable mental state. His illness worsens as the years go on, and almost every time someone approaches Charlotte with news, she almost always asks if it’s about George and if he is dead. It’s clear that Charlotte loves George and vice versa. However, when George appears on Anthony and Edwina’s wedding day in Bridgerton season 2, Edwina’s description of George and Charlotte’s story suggests it is tremendously special, which is proven in the spinoff.

This Future Bridgerton Love Story Could Be Better Than Queen Charlotte’s

Francesca & Michaela’s Romance Was Teased In Season 3

Michaela and John Stirling in Bridgerton season 3 Francesca looks awkward while Eloise smiles at Michaela in Bridgerton Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling smiles in Bridgerton Season 3 Francesca Bridgerton meets Michaela Stirling in season 3 finale Michaela Stirling in Bridgerton season 3Michaela and John Stirling in Bridgerton season 3 Francesca looks awkward while Eloise smiles at Michaela in Bridgerton Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling smiles in Bridgerton Season 3 Francesca Bridgerton meets Michaela Stirling in season 3 finale Michaela Stirling in Bridgerton season 3

As mentioned above, it will be difficult for any remaining romance to surpass Charlotte and George’s in the Bridgerton universe. However, if there is one couple who can be better than Charlotte and George, it’s Francesca and Michaela. As some may recall, Michaela is introduced as John Stirling’s cousin during the Bridgerton season 3 finale. Francesca, who happens to be John’s new wife, is immediately beguiled by Michaela, even forgetting her own name (something that Violet previously explained had happened to her when she met Edmund). The rest of the story will likely play out in season 6.

Francesca’s book and romance is a favorite among readers as it’s fraught with tragedy and complicated (but strong) feelings, similar to Queen Charlotte ‘s plot.

For those who haven’t read the Bridgerton books (When He Was Wicked spoilers ahead!), Michaela, who is Michael in the novels, is Francesca’s true love. John dies two years after he and Francesca get married, and sometime later, she falls in love with his cousin. Francesca’s book and romance is a favorite among readers as it’s fraught with tragedy and complicated (but strong) feelings, similar to Queen Charlotte‘s plot. Given that Michaela is a woman in Bridgerton, her and Francesca’s story will be even more complex, but if done right, it could rival Charlotte and George’s tale.