Netflix
Netflix

Queen Charlotte star Arsema Thomas has opened up about bonding with Golda Rosheuvel over their queer identities.

On 4 May, Netflix dropped the highly anticipated prequel to its popular Regency-era drama Bridgerton.

The six-episode miniseries, which Shonda Rhimes created, follows a younger version of the titular character as she rises to power in the late 18th century while navigating her newfound romantic relationship with King George III.

In addition to Queen Charlotte and King George III, the series also features younger versions of other beloved Bridgerton characters like Lady Danbury, who’s played by openly queer actor Thomas.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the young talent opened up about joining the franchise and bonding with Rosheuvel over being Black queer women in the industry.

“We went to Cape Town to promote the show, and my mother was there, and it was a beautiful moment of this meeting of so much feminine, powerful energy,” she explained.

“We discussed so much about specifically being queer women in spaces, and in not African spaces, but in culturally Black spaces that can sometimes not always accept that and what it means to understand and be fully accepting of our identities. And it was beautiful.”

Towards the end of her statement, Thomas praised Rosheuvel for being “one of the greatest human beings.”

“I see her walk and behave with such kindness, but still rooted in her Golda-ness. She looks everybody in the eye and asks them how they’re doing. That’s something that a lot of people don’t do,” she continued.

“To see her be kind and talented and unapologetic and still be winning, so many people say: ‘Don’t be nice because you’ll lose, and people will take advantage of you. You don’t have to say all of the things you think about politics or controversial issues because you’ll lose a fan base.’

“And to see her do those things and be loved and revered, gives me hope for what society embraces. But it also shows me that I can be me, and being me will attract the people who I want by me.”

Thomas’ interview comes a few weeks after Rosheuvel opened up to GAY TIMES about playing the beloved Queen Charlotte.

“Out of all the parts that I have ever played, bar Othello, Charlotte is obviously the longest character but she is also the one I have learnt most about myself. I am always so fascinated by the journey that I go on with her. It’s not me,” she explained.

“She takes over and becomes her own entity and when I leave her, when I’m taking off the character, I always have that sense of, ‘Goddamn girl.'”

You can watch Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on Netflix.