Netflix Orders 'Bridgerton' Prequel Focused on Lady Violet's Romance

Key points

• The new series is a limited prequel focusing on the romance between a young Lady Violet and Viscount Edmund Bridgerton.
• Shonda Rhimes will write, executive produce, and co-showrun the project with Nicholas Nardini.
• Tom Verica will return as director and executive producer, while Betsy Beers will serve as executive producer.
• The project is based on Julia Quinn's novella 'Violet In Bloom' and follows the success of the 'Queen Charlotte' spinoff.
• The series is part of a long-term deal between Shondaland and Netflix, which includes expanding the 'Bridgerton' universe.

Background

The 'Bridgerton' franchise has expanded significantly since its launch, with the 2023 limited series 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' debuting at number one in 91 countries. This new project follows a trend of Netflix expanding popular universes, similar to the recent greenlighting of the 'Manifest' spinoff 'Arrivals.'

How outlets are covering it

Deadline emphasizes that this is the first time Shonda Rhimes has written a show since 'Queen Charlotte,' highlighting her return to the writing room. Variety notes that the series is currently untitled but may follow the naming convention of 'Queen Charlotte,' potentially becoming 'Lady Violet: A Bridgerton Story.' Both outlets agree on the core creative team, including Rhimes, Nardini, Verica, and Beers. Netflix's official materials confirm the plot focus on Violet and Edmund's romance, based on the source material 'Violet In Bloom.'

Why it matters

This greenlight solidifies the 'Bridgerton' franchise as a key revenue driver for Netflix, extending beyond streaming into consumer products and live experiences. It also marks a significant return for Shonda Rhimes to the writing role, which has been a major point of interest for fans and industry observers since 'Queen Charlotte.'

What to watch

The next steps will likely involve casting announcements, particularly for the young Lady Violet, and potential updates on the series title. Production is expected to follow the model of 'Queen Charlotte,' with filming likely to take place in the UK, possibly at the special studio Netflix built for Shondaland.