A Royal Twist: Arsema Thomas Reveals the Intriguing Reason Behind Choosing Young Lady Danbury in Queen Charlotte

Summary

"Queen Charlotte," a Bridgerton spinoff, features a younger Lady Danbury, played by Arsema Thomas, who is still finding her place in London society.

Arsema Thomas was enticed by the chance to collaborate with acclaimed creator Shonda Rhimes, known for her portrayal of the Black woman experience in her television series.

Despite not being British, Thomas adopted a counterfeit accent during her audition, embodying the inner turmoil of Lady Danbury as she grapples with revealing her authentic self. Through the assistance of those around them, both Thomas and Lady Danbury blossom into self-assured women.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story showcases the youthful versions of various Bridgerton characters, including Arsema Thomas portraying a young Lady Agatha Danbury. Serving as a prequel spinoff to the immensely popular Netflix period drama Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte unfolds in two different time periods and revolves around the titular queen. The role of Queen Charlotte is played by both Golda Rosheuvel (as seen in Bridgerton) and India Amarteifio, portraying the queen when she was fifty years younger. The Queen Charlotte cast also encompasses other notable characters such as Lady Agatha Danbury, portrayed by Adjoa Andoh (reprising her Bridgerton role), and Arsema Thomas.

In Bridgerton, Lady Danbury is a formidable, wise, and esteemed figure within London's high society. She plays a pivotal role in orchestrating numerous romantic connections throughout the series and serves as a trusted advisor to Violet Bridgerton. However, in Queen Charlotte, the young Lady Danbury portrayed by Arsema Thomas is a much less assured character who is just beginning to navigate her place in London society. She has yet to develop the strength to overcome her fears and establish herself as a force to be reckoned with. Despite this difference, Lady Danbury remains a captivating character, but it was not her portrayal that initially drew Thomas to the world of Queen Charlotte.

Arsema Thomas Wanted To Be In Queen Charlotte Because Of Shonda Rhimes

Arsema Thomas joined the series not only because of her admiration for both Queen Charlotte and Bridgerton, but primarily because of her deep respect for series creator Shonda Rhimes. In an interview with W Magazine, Thomas expressed her thoughts on Rhimes:

The way Rhimes portrays the narrative of Black women is something I have never had the opportunity to delve into. Many of the characters I previously portrayed were not specifically written for me, and I often found myself clashing with directors over their visions and choices. By being part of a project where I have complete trust in the writer, I knew it would provide an incredible platform for continuous growth and learning.

Rhimes has brought the Black female experience to the forefront in her shows, featuring some of Shondaland's standout characters like Annalise Keating (played by Viola Davis) in How To Get Away With Murder and Olivia Pope (played by Kerry Washington) in Scandal. Thomas' confidence in Rhimes and her characters led her to audition for the role without any knowledge of Lady Danbury or the Bridgerton universe.

In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Arsema Thomas revealed that during her initial audition, she only knew that her character existed in the Bridgerton universe. It was only when the producers invited her for a chemistry read that she discovered her character's identity as Queen Charlotte. In response, Thomas immersed herself in the entire Bridgerton series, familiarizing herself with who Lady Danbury was. Fortunately, Thomas recognized right away that she couldn't envision playing anyone else but Lady Danbury. The character's ability to command a room resonated with Thomas, who has always looked up to women with that kind of presence.

Arsema Thomas Pretended To Be British For Her Queen Charlotte Audition

Arsema Thomas, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, surprised many by successfully adopting a British accent, even fooling producers into questioning her nationality. This talent of hers is reminiscent of Lady Danbury, as both struggled to reveal their true selves in their younger years. Lady Danbury remained in a loveless marriage, while Thomas faced impostor syndrome when assuming the role of a young Lady Danbury.

However, like Lady Danbury, Arsema Thomas blossomed into a self-assured woman, learning to trust her own abilities and intuition. Notably, the original Lady Danbury actress mentored Thomas, providing invaluable guidance on stepping into the role. With this support, Thomas gained confidence in a new career she entered after studying public health throughout her early twenties. Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury, and Arsema Thomas all navigated a world they initially felt out of place in, but by leaning on the support of those with similar experiences (such as Andoh and Queen Charlotte), they found their stride.