Netflix's Bridgerton has long been celebrated for its lush costumes, swoon-worthy romances, and addictive drama. But behind the scenes, the production is a meticulous machine, and according to Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story star India Amarteifio, that precision comes at a cost—namely, a staggering number of takes.
In a recent interview at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Amarteifio revealed that director Tom Verica, who helmed the prequel series, was relentless in his pursuit of perfection. When asked about the most takes she's ever done for a single scene, she didn't hesitate: "Over 13. And our director just knew exactly what he wanted and was just like, 'And again, and again, and again.'"
At first, the repetition might sound maddening, but Amarteifio found a silver lining. "It gets to the point where you can kinda start using that passion and a bit of anger to be like, 'I just want to get this done!' And it tends to be the last take that works," she explained. That raw frustration, she says, actually fed into her portrayal of the young Queen Charlotte, adding an authenticity that might not have surfaced otherwise.
The six-episode limited series, which premiered in 2023, explores Charlotte's arranged marriage to King George (Cory Mylchreest) and how their unlikely love story reshaped high society. Amarteifio's performance was widely praised, and the show itself earned multiple Emmy nominations, including for its stunning production design and costumes. While the on-screen glamour is undeniable, the effort behind it is clearly immense.
Since Queen Charlotte, Amarteifio has moved on to darker territory. She recently starred in the BBC thriller The Rapture, playing a juvenile inmate with psychic claims. That role brought its own challenges, including a particularly demanding panic-attack scene. "I really had to kind of think of all the motions and like all the steps to get there," she said, drawing on personal experience to nail the emotional arc.
For fans of the Bridgerton universe, there's more to come. Amarteifio is expected to reprise her role in the upcoming spin-off centered on Lady Violet, though no official casting has been announced. Until then, you can revisit Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on Netflix, and if you're hungry for more period drama, check out our list of binge-worthy Netflix miniseries.
Amarteifio's revelation is a reminder that even the most polished productions are built on countless hours of hard work. The next time you watch a scene in the Ton, remember the 13 takes—and the passion—that went into making it look effortless.
