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Bridgerton boss Shonda Rhimes ‘didn’t think’ about Meghan Markle while writing Queen Charlotte spin-off

Shonda Rhimes opened up about her thoughts on the royal family

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Emmy Griffiths
TV & Film Editor
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Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is set to land on Netflix very soon, and tells the story of how Charlotte’s marriage to King George created a societal shift in the Bridgerton world, creating the diverse universe that fans know and love. 

While discussing the upcoming show, which is set to land on Netflix on 4 May, Shonda opened up about the modern royal family, and was asked about the parallels between Queen Charlotte and Meghan Markle. 

WATCH: Will you be watching Queen Charlotte?

Chatting to The Guardian, the Grey’s Anatomy creator explained: “I didn’t think about Meghan Markle when I was writing this. That didn’t enter into the equation for me. I’m not necessarily interested in whatever is going on [with the royal family] now.” 

King George and Queen Charlotte of the show are fictionalised versions of the real-life couple who ruled Britain in the 1700s, and are portrayed in the Bridgerton series as a loving couple with difficulties, with George struggling with mental health problems. 

Meghan Markle in Australia© Getty
Meghan Markle in Australia

Meanwhile, Bridgerton itself focuses on the eight Bridgerton children, with each season following a different sibling as they fall in love - with the upcoming season three focusing on Colin’s relationship with Penelope. 

MORE:  Bridgerton fans have major theory about Queen Charlotte prequel - and it involves Benedict 

MORE: The cast of Bridgerton out of costume look so different - see their real-life look

India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte
India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte

Speaking about avoiding reading fan comments on social media, Shonda added: “I love the fans and that they have opinions, [but] I don’t take anything they say about story in, because I have a responsibility – not to the actors, not to the fans, not to the streamer – but to the story itself. 

“I have to think of that world as real. It’s hard to do – especially when the fans are mad about something.” 

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