Absolutely, dear members of the Ton, whispers of a new Bridgerton series may be hovering on the horizon. Indeed, as Shonda Rhimes, the executive producer of Bridgerton, revealed in a recent conversation with Craig Melvin on his podcast, Glass Half Full, there have been lively discussions about a spinoff series following the success of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story in 2023. "Definitely," Shonda shared with enthusiasm, "it's an area we're eager to explore and believe it could be a rich and rewarding venture."
But who exactly would this potential spinoff center around? "I've always believed that if we were to embark on such a venture, Violet would be an excellent protagonist—the Bridgerton matriarch," Shonda shared. "Yes, it's a possibility."
The tale of Violet Bridgerton, the family's matriarch (played by Ruth Gemmell), was further explored in season four of the Netflix series as she forged a connection with Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), the brother of her friend Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), years after the passing of her husband, Edmund Bridgerton. However, their relationship took a hiatus at the season's end when Violet decided she wasn't quite ready to commit to Marcus. As showrunner Jess Brownell explained on an episode of Bridgerton: The Official Podcast, per Tudum, saying yes to Marcus "would be akin to her remarrying right after her husband's demise."
"I feel like she has more of a journey ahead of her," Brownell added. "She has children to guide and ensure they make their debut and find their footing before she's ready to truly pursue what she desires. We'll get there eventually."
As for Julia Quinn, who penned the Bridgerton series upon which the show is based, while she did publish Violet in Bloom, a novella that traces Violet's life from childhood to meeting Edmund, his demise, and more, she hasn't been ready to write a story beyond that. Especially since she's aware of the tragic fate that awaits Violet and Edmund.
"I can't even begin to express how touched I am by the numerous readers who want Violet to have her own (second) happy ending," she wrote in the FAQ section of her website. "But I'm afraid I just don't see myself writing her story."
"I used to think it was because she was so devoted to Edmund, but after exploring the concept of second loves in When He Was Wicked, I realized that wasn't the reason," she explained, referring to book six about Francesca Bridgerton. "I've thought about it for a while, and honestly, I don't think I could come up with anyone good enough for her. Seriously. I just adore her."
