Bridgerton fans were in for a treat this weekend as they settled in to binge-watch the new spin-off series Queen Charlotte.
In addition to learning more about the matchmaking monarch herself, played with aplomb by both Golda Rosheuvel and India Amarteifio in the first two seasons of Bridgerton, viewers also learned a lot more about the young Lady Danbury (Arsema Thomas), who also appears later in life played by original actress, Adjoa Andoh.
There were also glimpses into Violet Bridgerton‘s (Ruth Gemmell) future, with Queen Charlotte’s future tale segments taking place after the conclusion of Bridgerton season two, which saw her son Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) marry Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley).
Bridgerton author Julia Quinn, on the other hand, gave a small additional blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment.
The writer, who is responsible for the book series based on the TV programme (eight main novels and a few extras), teased her followers on Instagram with the surprise.
Although Queen Charlotte is not directly based on one of Quinn’s novels, it is based on characters developed by her.
And it looked that the historical drama wanted to honour Quinn and her contribution.
On Friday evening, the popular author offered a special surprise for the sixth and last episode of Queen Charlotte on social media.
‘It’s me!!! Queen Charlotte, Episode 6,’ she wrote in her post’s caption, alongside a photo of herself sitting in the royal gardens on a stone bench in a sumptuous cream and pink corseted gown.
Pointing something out to a male extra she’s in conversation with, Quinn’s identity was partially obscured by the shadow being cast by her straw sun hat, tied in a black ribbon under her chin, as well as a powdered white wig.
Judging from the comments, it appeared she managed to go undetected by some fans.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr3uEz3LVo3
‘You make a cameo!!!! I wouldn’t have recognized you honestly 😂😂😂 the white hair was sneaky,’ responded one.
‘DIDNT EVEN REALIZE 😂 [sic],’ admitted another.
One author pal added: ‘Aaah! That’s so cool! You’re a little Easter egg surprise for viewers in the know! 😍’
However, others were keen to let Quinn know they had spotted her straight away.
‘Yes I know I saw you and told all TikTok ❤️😁,’ claimed one, while another replied: ‘I saw you and loved it! 😍’
‘They way I SCREAMED! Was like “one of my QUEENS!!”,’ wrote another fan.
Rhimes has lately given fans hope for a second season of Queen Charlotte, which was previously labelled as a limited series.
Rhimes, who also worked with Quinn to create a new book focused on Queen Charlotte’s journey, admitted that while there ‘have been questions’ about a second season of the new spin-off, she’s ‘not having conversations about it yet’.
Nonetheless, she implied that it was far from a definitive no in the future.
‘I could live with Charlotte and George forever, but we told a very specific, closed-ended story that I think is a complete tale of this complicated, imperfect love,’ she told Entertainment Weekly.
‘But I’m not ruling anything out because I never know.’
In a recent interview, Rosheuvel also stated that she would be eager to return for future seasons of Queen Charlotte if the opportunity arose.
‘Opportunities, possibilities… I’m all for that, absolutely. I said the other day, wouldn’t it be great to see what Lady Featherington’s about? “Lady Featherington: A Bridgerton Story.” I think that’d be really cool. I think Polly [Walker] would be up for that, definitely,’ she answered.
‘There’s loads of characters in the world, in the ensemble that you can touch upon.
‘Is there more for us to see of Charlotte? I don’t know. That’s for people with bigger pay grades. I would say yes, without a doubt. I love her.’
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is available to watch now on Netflix.