Netflix Greenlights ‘Bridgerton’ Prequel About Young Lady Violet, Shonda Rhimes To Write

When ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ premiered in May 2023, it proved the Bridgerton universe could thrive beyond the main family saga. The limited series told the love story of a young Queen Charlotte, played by India Amarteifio, and King George III, played by Corey Mylchreest, and briefly cracked Netflix’s Most Popular English series list.

That prequel also introduced younger versions of Lady Danbury and Lady Violet, the beloved Bridgerton matriarch played by Ruth Gemmell in the flagship series. Ever since, fans have wondered whether either character might earn her own story.

Now the long-rumored expansion is official. As first reported by Deadline, Netflix has greenlit an untitled limited series chronicling the early life of a young Lady Violet and her romance with Viscount Edmund Bridgerton.

Violet and Edmund are the parents of the franchise’s 8 Bridgerton siblings, who sit at the center of each season of the main show. On the flagship series, Edmund was portrayed by Rupert Evans. According to Netflix, the series will follow the same approach as ‘Queen Charlotte’. The streamer is currently referring to it as the “untitled Bridgerton project.”

Unlike ‘Queen Charlotte’, which was an original creation, this prequel has existing source material. Julia Quinn wrote a short novella, ‘Violet in Bloom’, that tells the love story of Violet and Edmund.

Shonda Rhimes will write, executive produce, and co-showrun the series alongside Nicholas Nardini. The pair previously collaborated on ‘Queen Charlotte’, where Rhimes wrote all but one episode, with Nardini penning that remaining episode and co-writing another.

Tom Verica, who directed and executive produced ‘Queen Charlotte’, returns in the same capacity. Betsy Beers will also executive produce through Shondaland. Rhimes has explored Violet’s love life before. She penned Violet’s memorable “I am the tea that you are having” scene in Season 4 of ‘Bridgerton’.

Trailer for Part 2 of ‘Bridgerton’ Season 4. Out February 26th.https://t.co/EwsQqjWSwY

— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 13, 2026

Talk of another prequel began shortly after ‘Queen Charlotte’ launched. Verica told Deadline in January that existing characters were getting the ‘Queen Charlotte’ treatment, with more spinoffs in development.

Because ‘Queen Charlotte’ had already explored Lady Danbury’s romances, Violet emerged as the most likely candidate for her own series. Netflix even confirmed the order with a playful letter from Lady Whistledown.

Casting has not yet been announced. Connie Jenkins-Greig played a younger Violet in ‘Queen Charlotte’, but it remains unclear whether she or Gemmell will appear in the new project.

That question is likely to dominate fan discussion until Netflix reveals its leads. Many viewers are already hoping to see familiar faces return in some form. The new spinoff joins an increasingly busy slate. ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5 is currently in production in London, shifting the spotlight to Francesca Bridgerton, played by Hannah Dodd, and heiress Michaela Stirling, played by Masali Baduza.

Season 6, greenlit in May 2025, will follow Eloise Bridgerton, played by Claudia Jessie. Seasons 1 and 3 remain among Netflix’s most popular English-language series. With a fresh prequel on the way, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. For fans who have long adored Violet’s warmth and wisdom, seeing her own love story unfold could be a dream come true.

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