Shonda Rhimes has insisted a new Bridgerton spinoff series is ‘definitely’ in the pipeline.
The 56-year-old, who is an executive producer on the beloved racy Netflix period drama, is ‘excited’ to explore more of the regency era shows after the success of 2023’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Appearing on the Glass Half Full podcast, she told host Craig Melvin: ‘I think definitely.’
‘That’s an area that we’re excited about and know that that could be really rich and really mined well.’
If a spin-off series came to fruition, Shonda thinks the story of family matriarch Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) would be a strong choice.
She said: ‘I’ve always said that I thought if we were going to do something like that, Violet would be a great person to tell the story about—the Bridgerton mom.’
Fans get a taste of Violet’s story in season four as her relationship with Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) blossoms.
The relationship with the brother of friend Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) came years after husband Edmund Bridgerton had died.
However, Violet decided she wasn’t ready to marry, and showrunner Jess Brownwell insisted the time wasn’t right.
Speaking on Bridgerton: The Official Podcast, she previously said accepting Marcus’ proposal ‘would be like her marrying the first guy right after her husband’.
Jess added: ‘I feel like she has more of a journey to go on.
‘She’s got some kids to see through, making sure that they get off on their way and debut before she’s ready to really do what she wants to really do. We’ll get there.’
Meanwhile, Julia Quinn – who wrote the Bridgerton books which have inspired the show – admitted despite writing the novella Violet in Bloom about the character’s life from childhood and exploring her meeting Edmund, and his death, she isn’t expecting to explore the story further.
In the FAQ section of her website, she said: ‘I’ve thought about writing about Violet and Edmund, but I thought it would be too bittersweet. We all know that Edmund died at the age of 39.
‘Or even worse, what about the readers who might be trying my books for the first time? They wouldn’t know that he died young.
‘Think how furious they would be when they started reading the Bridgerton series and found out I’d killed off one of my heroes.
‘But I can’t even begin to say how touched I am that so many readers want Violet to get her own (second) happy ending, but I’m afraid I just don’t see writing her story.
‘I used to think it was because she was so devoted to Edmund, but after exploring the issue of second loves in When He Was Wicked, I realized that really wasn’t the reason.
‘I’ve thought about it for a while, and in all honesty, I don’t think I could come up with anyone good enough for her. Seriously. I just adore her.’
Elsewhere, This Morning’s Alison Hammond stunned fans by revealing she has bagged a role on Bridgerton – as insiders warn she will ‘steal every scene’ ahead of her season five debut.
The presenter, 51, entered the Bridgerton universe this season as the host of its new official podcast on Netflix, recapping the drama and interviewing the cast.
And it has been reported that Bridgerton bosses are such a fan of Alison they want her to make a cameo in series five – and believe she’ll be a scene stealer.
Speaking at a Q&A with series four leads Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson, Alison teased to an audience full of fans: ‘You won’t know this yet, but we’ve just been speaking and apparently there’s a new character!’
It was at this point executive producer Tom Verica said: ‘Alison opens Season Five.’
The announcement reportedly sparked squeals of excitement from the audience as Alison proudly said: ‘That is where I belong.’
A show insider told The Sun: ‘Alison hit it off with the show execs and the cast who adore her.
‘Her podcast and presentation went down well with the creative team.
‘She makes them laugh, is just a natural on and off camera drawing the audience in with her warmth and candour, and they think it would be fun to write her into one of the episodes.’
The most recent series of the hit regency drama Bridgerton, which returned to screens earlier this year, saw Nicola Coughlan’s Lady Penelope waving goodbye to her post as the resident ton gossip columnist, Lady Whistledown.
But as the fourth season came to a close, viewers were left delighted when the writer’s voice rung out again – signalling a new writer taking over.
‘Are you perhaps feeling a little shock?’ the new Whistledown, voiced by Julie Andrews, said. ‘You thought I was gone for good, but far too much transpires for this author to remain silent.
‘It is assuredly a reunion rooted in care and love. Though this time with a very different author.’