Bridgerton has been a smash hit for Netflix since its inception. The historical romance has ironically served as a litmus for romance in the modern age – its stories have consistently been inclusive, sex-positive, and full of emotional intimacy. Fans have been clamoring for more LGBT+ representation within the series, however, and they finally received it with the launch of Queen Charlotte. The prequel series tells the story of Bridgerton’s own Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel as the older monarch, and India Ria Amarteifio in her younger years), and a subplot concerning servants Reynolds (Freddie Dennis) and Brimsley (Sam Clemmett), whom find themselves in love in an intolerant society.
According to an interview with Dennis and Clemmett, available via Netflix’s Tudum, the actors were in the dark about Reynolds and Brimsley’s affair before filming Queen Charlotte. “I got to have a look at [the script for] Episode 1 and nothing is revealed in it,” Clemmett said. “Then we got a call saying, ‘Brimsley has a relationship within this.’”
Meanwhile, Dennis expressed a feeling of pride after learning he would come to represent the first gay romance within the Bridgerton franchise. “I’m filled with a sense of pride to bring the first central LGBTQ+ storyline to this incredibly rich and diverse world,” Dennis said to Tudum. “I hope that fans love the storyline as much as Sam and I loved telling it.”
Though the series revolves around Queen Charlotte’s rise to powerful matriarch, and her romance with King George (Corey Mylchreest), Brimsley and Reynolds’ romance unfolds as a subplot throughout the series. Its emotional resonance is central to the narrative of the story, and that was by design, according to Clemmett and Dennis. The two of them “wanted the relationship to have layers and be more than just lust,” a move which the two say showcases the loving relationship between Dennis and Reynolds.
The romance between Dennis and Reynolds is also one that allows the Shonda Rhimes series to tackle issues of contemporary homophobia from the era. A poignant moment occurs during their last scene together: as the heterosexual couples, ensconced safely in a ballroom, dance with one another, Dennis and Reynolds embrace in the forest, dancing and laughing with one another.
Though some fans have worried that Dennis and Reynolds will be parted by death in the Bridgerton timeline, an all-too-familiar trope for gay characters, luckily Rhimes has confirmed via Shondaland that the two are alive and well, though she did not elaborate on Reynold’s whereabouts in Bridgerton. “I thought the idea that service takes over was really interesting. When you see Brimsley alone, that’s what that’s supposed to convey,” Rhimes said. “A lot of people ask me, ‘Is Reynolds dead?’ Reynolds is not dead. There’s a lot more I could write about that.”
Queen Charlotte, as well as all of Bridgerton, is available to stream on Netflix.
