Adjoa Andoh might be high society in the Bridgerton world, but for the British actress there’s only one Lady in scriptwriting – the show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes. Andoh was full of praise for Rhimes and Bridgerton, as she revealed why she had been attracted to playing Lady Agatha Danbury in the ground-breaking period drama.
“It’s based on an internationally best-selling series, it’s being driven by the queen of long-form narrative Shonda Rhimes and is on this bonkers platform, Netflix, that goes everywhere,” she said to a charmed audience. She was talking at the Italian Global Series Festival today after receiving her Maximo Excellence Award in Rimini this week. The award closely followed Andoh wrapping filming on Season 4 of Bridgerton, as she revealed on Instagram last week.
Andoh was also asked about a Season 2 of spin-off series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. She didn’t offer insight when quizzed, but instead praised Rhimes’ writing, noting how she had added Queen Charlotte to the Bridgerton universe and made her Black despite the TV character not existing in Julia Quinn’s book series.
“What Shonda Rhimes does rather brilliantly is she says, ‘What if?’, said Andoh. “You throw a stone into the pond, and see what ripples come from that.”
Responding to an audience question on whether Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte had “rewritten history” with a diverse take on royal British life in the early 19th century, she was sharp and precise.
“It didn’t rewrite history. It amplified a history that already existed,” she said. “When you saw the history of that period – regency representations with no people of color in, that was rewriting history.” She also rejected the idea that TV series more broadly will become less diverse over time, following a question from the floor noting how many companies’ policies have shifted to align themselves with policies from right-wing governments.
“The shift [to diverse storytelling] has already happened,” she countered. “Look at the way drama is being cast across the world now. People should be free to tell the stories they want to tell, because we are all artists and artists make the work they want to make.
“We’re a global world, for good and bad. That is the fact on the ground and our stories reflect that. Reflect people and they will watch you. Reflect them and they will buy tickets for your show, your cinema or your streaming networks. It’s also about opening up markets, which is something Trump loves,” she quipped.
When Adjoa Andoh, the powerhouse behind Lady Danbury in Bridgerton, took the stage at the Italian Global Series Festival, it wasn’t just another press event. It was a deep, raw, and refreshing conversation about storytelling, representation, and the true impact of Shonda Rhimes’ genius.
Andoh didn’t hold back — and thank goodness for that. Her thoughts on how Bridgerton has “amplified history” and why Shonda Rhimes is the reigning “queen of long-form narrative” offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at the philosophy behind one of Netflix’s most-watched series of all time.
🎭 H1: Who Is Adjoa Andoh and Why Does Her Voice Matter?
Adjoa Andoh isn’t just a supporting character. She’s one of the narrative anchors of Bridgerton — playing the regal, no-nonsense Lady Danbury with unmatched grace and bite. But off-screen, she’s equally compelling: a writer, director, and fierce advocate for representation in entertainment.
At the Italian Global Series Festival, her insights hit deep — not only about the show, but about how Bridgerton bends, reflects, and reimagines history for modern audiences.
The Power of Reframing the Past
“Amplified History” — What Does That Even Mean?
When Andoh talked about Bridgerton as “amplified history,” she wasn’t sugar-coating. She meant this: it’s not about erasing the past — it’s about turning the volume up on parts that were silenced.
In her words: “The show doesn’t pretend that racism or sexism didn’t exist. It gives us a lens to ask—what if people who were usually invisible were suddenly front and center?”
It’s not rewriting history. It’s giving it the depth it always had but rarely got to show on screen.
Why Shonda Rhimes Is the Queen of Long-Form Narrative
Storytelling That Spans Generations
Andoh praised Shonda Rhimes with the kind of admiration only fellow artists can express. Rhimes, she said, doesn’t just write TV — she builds universes. Scandal. How to Get Away with Murder. Grey’s Anatomy. And now, Bridgerton.
These aren’t just stories — they’re legacies. Characters evolve over years, not episodes. Rhimes gives them room to breathe, falter, fall in love, rise, and fall again.
Emotional Architecture at Its Finest
Shonda isn’t just filling episodes. She’s layering emotion like a skilled architect. Her plots don’t just twist — they unfurl slowly, with purpose. That’s the long-form brilliance Andoh calls “unparalleled.”
Bridgerton’s Bold Representation Wasn’t a Gimmick
Casting That Challenges Norms
At the festival, Andoh spoke candidly about the show’s casting decisions — especially the choice to cast people of color in historically white aristocratic roles.
Did it stir controversy? Sure. But that’s the point.
She explained, “We’re not pretending these people existed in the real Regency era. We’re saying — if they had been given the stage, what stories could they have told?”
The Power of Visibility
For Andoh, visibility is everything. Bridgerton allows Black women, men, and people of all backgrounds to see themselves in luxury, in love, in power. That’s no small thing. It’s revolutionary.
The Festival That Sparked the Conversation
What is the Italian Global Series Festival?
This annual event brings together creators, actors, writers, and storytellers from across the globe. It’s not just a networking event — it’s a global spotlight on the future of television.
And this year, Bridgerton was the crown jewel of the discussion.
Weaving Modernity Into Period Drama
From Costumes to Dialogue — The Bridgerton Remix
Sure, Bridgerton gives you corsets and classical music. But then it hits you with Ariana Grande played by a string quartet. That’s not an accident. It’s a bold fusion of past and present — and it works.
Andoh emphasized this: “We’re not mimicking the past. We’re mixing it with now.” That remix is exactly what makes the show so bingeable and addictive.
Why the Show Resonates So Deeply
More Than Romance
Yes, there’s steamy romance (hello, Duke of Hastings). But underneath the sex appeal is a complex world of power, gender, race, and agency. That’s what hooked Andoh — and viewers too.
Stories With Substance
From Penelope’s hidden identity to Queen Charlotte’s emotional depth, every character is more than a costume. There’s trauma, ambition, betrayal — real human stuff.
Global Appeal with Local Heart
Bridgerton doesn’t just resonate in English-speaking countries. It’s globally beloved — dubbed, translated, and tweeted about worldwide.
Andoh pointed out: “Every culture relates to love, family, loss, and striving for more.” That universality is Shonda’s magic sauce.
What’s Next for Adjoa Andoh?
Beyond Bridgerton
Andoh has been in Shakespearean theater, film, and radio, long before Bridgerton. And she’s not slowing down. From upcoming stage productions to directing gigs, her creative fire is burning brighter than ever.
Speaking Truth to Power
She continues to use her platform to push for inclusion, education, and reform in the arts — especially in the UK. Her voice is loud, clear, and unapologetically necessary.
Audience Reaction at the Festival
The room was hooked. Laughter, applause, even tears — Andoh’s honesty and brilliance left the audience buzzing.
She wasn’t promoting a show. She was leading a conversation.
Key Takeaways From Adjoa Andoh’s Talk
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Bridgerton “amplifies history” — it doesn’t rewrite it.
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Shonda Rhimes builds stories like cathedrals — slowly, beautifully, powerfully.
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Representation in casting is transformative, not performative.
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The past is fertile ground for fresh, diverse storytelling.
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Bridgerton is just getting started — and so is Andoh.
Conclusion: When Storytelling Meets Revolution
Adjoa Andoh reminded us that Bridgerton isn’t just a guilty pleasure — it’s a cultural statement. With a fearless narrative, lush visuals, and inclusive casting, the show proves that history can be both beautiful and bold, especially in the hands of Shonda Rhimes and her remarkable cast.
The Italian Global Series Festival didn’t just host a panel. It spotlighted a global shift in how we tell stories — and who gets to be the hero in them.
