Netflix Orders ‘Bridgerton’ Prequel About Young Lady Violet, With Shonda Rhimes Writing
Netflix and Shondaland have ordered a limited series following the early life of Lady Violet Bridgerton and her romance with Edmund, with Shonda Rhimes writing.
What Netflix announced
Another "Bridgerton" series is on the way. Netflix and Shondaland announced Thursday that the streamer has ordered a new limited series in the "Bridgerton" universe, focused on the early life of a young Lady Violet.
The show has no title yet and is being called the "untitled Bridgerton project." Netflix said the rollout will be similar to the earlier spinoff "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story." Variety notes that this could point to a name like "Lady Violet: A Bridgerton Story," but that is not confirmed.
The official logline says the series will chronicle Violet's early life and tell the story of her romance with Viscount Edmund Bridgerton.
Who is making it
Rhimes and Nardini will be showrunners, writers and executive producers. Nardini was a producer on "Queen Charlotte" and a writer on Rhimes' ABC drama "Scandal."
Tom Verica, who has worked on "Bridgerton," "Queen Charlotte," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal," is set to direct and executive produce. Shondaland's Betsy Beers is also an executive producer.
Deadline reports this is the first show Rhimes has written since she created "Queen Charlotte." It also reports that, unlike that series, this one has existing source material. That material is "Violet in Bloom," a short novella by "Bridgerton" author Julia Quinn that tells the love story of Violet and Edmund.
Cast: what we know
Ruth Gemmell plays Lady Violet in the main "Bridgerton" series. Connie Jenkins-Greig played a teenage Violet Ledger in "Queen Charlotte."
It is unclear whether Jenkins-Greig will return, or whether any other stars from "Bridgerton" or "Queen Charlotte" will appear.
Where the franchise stands
Season 5 of "Bridgerton" is in production in London. It focuses on Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). The Hollywood Reporter says Netflix has renewed the show through a sixth season.
Season 4 premiered at No. 1 on Netflix's Global English TV list. "Queen Charlotte," which ran six episodes in 2023, debuted at No. 1 in 91 countries. Deadline says the franchise also earns money beyond streaming, including consumer products and live experiences, and that Netflix built a special UK studio for Shondaland to film in.
Deadline adds that speculation had linked this project to the long-term overall deal Rhimes signed with Netflix in August. It also reports that Verica said in January that more spinoffs were in development.
What happens next
Netflix has not given a title, cast or premiere date, so those are the details to watch for.
Also read Two New Harry Potter Books Confirmed for February 2027 as HBO Series Nears
Quick answers
Is the Lady Violet spinoff based on a book?
According to Deadline, yes. It draws on "Violet in Bloom," a short novella by Julia Quinn about Violet and Edmund.
Who plays young Lady Violet?
That has not been announced. Connie Jenkins-Greig played a teenage Violet in "Queen Charlotte," but it is unclear whether she will return.
Is it a full series or a limited series?
It is a limited series, like "Queen Charlotte," which ran six episodes.
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