Queen Charlotte in turn allows its older women to explore the sexuality of their characters in a compassionate way, giving two compelling but often peripheral Bridgerton figures a third dimension. We're in a television golden age for powerhouse performances from older women – whether it be The White Lotus or Happy Valley – as opposed to being confined to the role of the meddling mother or stubborn battleaxe. Meanwhile, Violet's own desire triggers Agatha to look back on a past love, as we see her passionate affair with Violet's father Lord Ledger unfold in the flashback timeline. In the present-day timeline of the new six-part spin-off, Violet confronts her reawakened sexual longing after years of abstinence following the death of her husband. That is until Queen Charlotte turned gardening into a sexual innuendo shopping list and, in doing so, brought these characters to life. Yet when it has come to their own inner lives, Bridgerton has so far conveyed the message that Violet and Agatha are retired from sex and would prefer embroidery, gossip or gardening instead. As is often the unfair fate of older women in television, they have chiefly operated in a maternal capacity – Lady Danbury to Duke Simon and Lady Bridgerton to her brood of Bridgertons – and conspired to matchmake together. The first two seasons of Bridgerton have seen Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) orbit around the lingering looks and torrid love affairs of their younger counterparts. It's less sexy and more squeamish, but as Queen Charlotte begins to flash-forward to the present-day Bridgerton cast we recognise, these off-putting scenes gather significance for how they introduce the sexuality of the women of the Ton over 50. 'That was a good ride,' Lord Danbury (Cyril Nri) eventually sighs, rolling off her to remove his false teeth and doze off.

On a squeaky bed with her husband bearing down, a young Lady Danbury (played by Arsema Thomas, who has nailed the minute facial expressions of Bridgertonmainstay Adjoa Andoh) lies with the weary look of someone listening to an anecdote they've already heard half a dozen times. Queen Charlotte episode 5 spoilers follow.įor the spin-off of a show that has become synonymous with steamy sex, the first fornicating we get in Queen Charlotte does not bode well.

Julia quinn on the way to the wedding