Shonda Rhimes gives exciting Queen Charlotte season 2 update: "trying to figure it out"

Did you have "Shonda Rhimes giving us hope for a Queen Charlotte season 2" on your 2024 bingo card? No? Neither did I, but I'm pleasantly surprised!

Ahead of the release of Bridgerton season 3 part 1 on May 16, the prolific television writer and producer spoke withVariety about her iconic TV career, which began with the record-breaking medical drama Grey's Anatomy back in 2005. But she also opened up about the status of the blockbuster prequel spinoff to her fan-favorite Netflix romantic drama.

While everyone had obviously assumed Queen Charlotte would be a one-off miniseries, since that's what Netflix had initially marketed the show as, apparently the streaming service wants more from the Shondaland mastermind. And who can blame them! The prequel was a massive smash among fans of Bridgerton, and it helps that it was legitimately good, too.

According to Rhimes, she's "having a conversation" about a potential second season, but she's taking her time with developing any new iteration for the sake of the story and fans. Here's how she explained the Queen Charlotte season 2 thought process to Variety:

"I feel like I’m having a conversation with Netflix! They ask me this question all the time! I’m trying to figure it out still. I don’t want to tell a story that doesn’t need to be told — do you know what I mean? 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.'"

- Shonda Rhimes

That's so exciting! Obviously, Netflix would want an additional season of a show that audiences adored, but Rhimes knows that she and her team can't move forward with season 2 just to make season 2. There needs to be a solid reason and a compelling story. As much as we'd love to see India Amarteifio and Corey Mylchreest back onscreen, maybe it wouldn't be their story.

A second season could potentially be a different origin story, such as for Lady Danbury or Violet Bridgerton, while still weaving Charlotte and George into the season. The options are endless, and there's no doubt Rhimes and all the Shondaland creatives will consider each and every one of them before going ahead with any new spinoffs.

Even with Rhimes' new comments in consideration, that doesn't mean Queen Charlotte season 2 is happening within the next year or even that it will happen at all. It's not a confirmation of a green light or that another season is in active development. But hearing that there are conversations at all to continue the Bridgerton cinematic universe in the future is still such a great sign.

Stay tuned for more Bridgerton news and updates from Netflix Life!