How Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Morphed Into A Book

Dearest reader, the newest Bridgerton book is setting the ton abuzz with excitement. Not long after the release of Netflix's "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story", Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes have teamed up to write a book about the eponymous character of the show. The series is a spin-off of the regular "Bridgerton" show. In the main series, each season hones in on a member of the Bridgerton family and their romantic life.

Although the audience has grown attached to the Bridgerton clan, Queen Charlotte has been a standout star. Played by Golda Rosheuvel, the Queen is essential in pushing the plot forward, creating love matches and designating her diamond of the season. In the spin-off, the show follows the origin story of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz's marriage to King George III.

The series has what you can typically expect from a season of "Bridgerton" — a romance that sweeps you off your feet, sizzling sex scenes, and waltzing set to orchestral versions of modern pop songs. Yet unlike the other seasons thus far, this series was released before the corresponding book.

How the Queen Charlotte series became a book

The first book in the "Bridgerton" saga was released back in 2000. With the series being about two decades old and books for all eight siblings out, the writers of the show have a resource to look back to when creating a new season. That's how the first two seasons were created, relying on the books to bring the stories to life. "Queen Charlotte," which is in stores now, came after the corresponding show was released.

While the other seasons were created by referencing the books, Julia Quinn told Insider that she read through Shonda Rhimes' scripts to inform the novel. "I had to really dig in and pull out pieces and try to fit them," she explains in the interview. "It was a puzzle, and it used a very different part of the writing brain that I'm used to."

The result is a story that examines the love story between Charlotte and George, abandoning the dual timeline found in the show in favor of a chronological story. The book also dives into the psyche of Brimsley, giving him his own point of view. King George is also given a point of view, rather than using his perspective as a plot device later in the story.

Overall, the book further expounds on the origin story of each character, providing intricate details on their past selves — without abandoning the romance we fell in love with in the series.

What we know about Bridgerton season three

It's been confirmed that Colin will be the Bridgerton sibling that takes center stage in season three. Based on the fourth book in the series, the upcoming season will follow Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington's romance. Penelope, played by Nicola Coughlan, and a main character since the first season, has since been revealed as Lady Whistledown. At the end of season two, the secret was discovered by her best friend and Colin's sister, Eloise.

While the friendship between the two girls dissolved, Penelope was also left hurt by Colin's words. After overhearing him say that he would never court her, Penelope is left all alone, returning to her pen and papers to narrate the ton's gossip once again. In the book, Penelope loves Colin from a distance, which is in line with what's been occurring on the show.

A release date for season three is yet to be announced, but the show wrapped up filming earlier in March. Whenever the series comes out, we'll be there to watch the drama unfold.