Although television writer and producer Shonda Rhimes has several TV series currently on her plate at Netflix and on ABC, her recent reveal that Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story season 2 may not happen is actually a relief for the greater Bridgerton franchise. Since the 1990s, Shonda Rhimes has been the director, writer, producer, and creator of countless notable television series. Her big break came in 2005 when she created her first show, Grey’s Anatomy, and now 20 years later, she is at the helm of some of the most popular television series of the last two decades.

Rhimes began her Bridgerton journey in 2020, and since then, the franchise has steadily grown. There are two seasons of Bridgerton available to stream on Netflix and Bridgerton season 3 is only a few weeks away from premiering. Furthermore, Rhimes took Julia Quinn’s romance world into her own hands by creating a spinoff series in 2023 called Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. This series is a prequel to the main Bridgerton series, and follows the romance of a young Queen Charlotte and King George III. Recently, Rhimes noted that Queen Charlotte may not continue past its one-off season.

Shonda Rhimes’ Queen Charlotte Season 2 Doubts Are Encouraging (Because It Shouldn’t Happen)

Queen Charlotte would distract from Bridgerton

In an interview with Variety, Shonda Rhimes was asked whether Queen Charlotte season 2 would happen. Rhimes responded vaguely, saying that she’s still trying to figure it out, but above all, she doesn’t want to tell a story that does not need to be told. Ultimately, Rhimes’ answer is a great relief for the Bridgerton franchise, and her fears are absolutely valid. Although Queen Charlotte was successful, it did not necessarily have the same spark that Bridgerton has. It successfully explored the pasts of vital Bridgerton characters, but at the end of the day, it told a complete story.

The biggest risk with Queen Charlotte season 2 is exactly what Rhimes says. If she creates a second season that is extraneous, audiences will be disappointed and time will be wasted. Specifically, time that could be used on the main Bridgerton series, which still has five seasons to go after Bridgerton season 3.

Rhimes is very smart when she says, ” I don’t want to make a second season of “Queen Charlotte,” and you’re going to be, like, ‘Well, that was not that great. ‘” It is better for her to focus her efforts on Bridgerton rather than spinoffs.

Netflix Should Focus On Bridgerton’s Main Show, Not Spinoffs

Bridgerton will have nine seasons in total

Although another season of Queen Charlotte could be exciting, as more Bridgerton seems like a good thing, the reality is that there is a lot of Bridgerton already lined up. Bridgerton season 3 is set to premiere in May and June 2024, and following that, there will be five more installments. Benedict, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth still need their own seasons. In this way, putting time and energy into a second season of Queen Charlotte, which already had a solid ending, seems like a waste of time, especially when several Bridgerton siblings are waiting for their time.

The next seasons of Bridgerton are not copied and pasted from Julia Quinn’s books either. Over the years, Shonda Rhimes has made pivotal changes to the original books, adding more diversity and better plots. In this way, Bridgerton is a huge project. It is not only a matter of adapting Quinn’s writings, but making it suitable for the world she has already created. Each season of Bridgerton is going to have the highest expectations, and Rhimes needs to make sure she does not falter at any time. Where Queen Charlotte was an extra present, Bridgerton is the main event.

What Queen Charlotte Season 2 Could Be About (If It Happens)

Queen Charlotte could continue Charlotte and George’s story or move on

Of course, Shonda Rhimes didn’t say that Queen Charlotte season 2 would never happen, so the possibility is still on the table. If Queen Charlotte season 2 happens, there are a few avenues it could take. First and foremost, a second season could simply pick up where it left off, exploring George’s attempts to be a good ruler, and also, his and Charlotte’s new life as parents. There is also the option of branching off and focusing on other Queen Charlotte characters. Lady Danbury is a fan-favorite, and it is likely that audiences would love to see more of her.

In the end, it seems likely that Shonda Rhimes will make a well-informed decision on the fate of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. It is clear that she has already thought about where the story could and could not go, and therefore, she will likely make whatever decision is right for her and the larger franchise. If Queen Charlotte season 2 does not happen, it will likely be better for Bridgerton, but regardless, audiences will always be happy to get more period romance on their screens.