After two successful seasons, the historical soap "Bridgerton" is now getting a spin-off. "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" tells the fictional story of Queen Charlotte on two time levels: As a teenager, she comes from Germany to the British court to marry King George and become England's first black queen. Later, she will have to fight to secure her succession to the throne. The young royal couple is played by India Amarteifio and Corey Mylchreest. In London, the actress and the performer talk about their first major roles.

India Amarteifio, Corey Mylchreest, "Bridgerton" became a real sensational success in the midst of the Corona pandemic. But for Gen Z, of which you both belong, the show probably wasn't too exciting, was it?

Amarteifio: I would absolutely disagree! In any case, I watched the series with enthusiasm after half my circle of friends said to me that I absolutely had to watch "Bridgerton". The combination of a riot of colour, a firm commitment to diversity and a pleasurable escapism blew me away, especially during the lockdown, of course. And I think the recipe for success of the series is precisely that it doesn't just appeal to one generation, but actually to everyone. I know "Bridgerton" fans who are still in school, as well as those from my mother's generation.

Mylchreest: I have to admit that the hype completely passed me by at the time. It wasn't until I got the role in "Queen Charlotte" that I watched both seasons in one go.

You just mentioned diversity, and in fact, you see significantly more non-white people in the world of "Bridgerton" than you usually see in historical stories of this kind. Does that automatically make the productions more than just entertainment?

Amarteifio: Absolutely. I have the impression that the series has already changed the entire film and streaming industry. At the very least, it has changed my own perception of the roles for which I am eligible and in which I see myself.

Mylchreest: And that's exactly what our industry is changing!

Amarteifio: I remember how I hesitated a few years ago to have my ears pierced twice. My concern was that this could become a problem if I were to play in costume dramas. But the next thought was: Such nonsense, how could I ever play in such films with my skin color. The fact that I am now the protagonist in exactly such a story is sometimes still difficult to comprehend. We owe this diversity to Shonda Rhimes. By the way, not only in front of the camera, but also behind it. Despite my age, I have been working in this business for several years and have never worked with a crew that was so mixed in terms of origin and skin color. This is so important!

What does Rhimes mean to you as a series creator?

Mylchreest: Your scripts. She writes very pointedly and makes use of a rich subtext. Unfortunately, we didn't see her often during filming, but "Queen Charlotte" shapes her in every scene.

The series makes no secret of the fact that it is fiction and does not pay too much attention to historical facts. Have you nevertheless dealt with the real-life role models of your characters?