[Alerta de spoiler] While the first two seasons of ‘Bridgerton’ show that King George was not entirely sane in 1813, the series ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ goes further and portrays the English monarch’s illness in more detail.
In the fourth episode of the spin-off season, we see a sick king. The character struggles with a type of mental disorder, causing him to faint and hallucinate.
The life of King George
Historical records show that the real King George III was mentally ill. No wonder, the monarch was often described as the “mad king who lost America” and, due to illness, his son George IV had to step in to rule as prince regent.
Despite these records, it is not known for certain what he actually had, and historians still debate the matter. One of the theories defended is that the monarch suffered from porphyria, a disease of genetic origin present in the blood, which can cause confusion, hallucinations and even paranoia.
Other historians have theorized that George suffered from mental illness. This was because the monarch’s letters showed symptoms similar to those of patients going through the manic phase of psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder.
the fiction
While the series is fictional, it flirts with fact. And yet, until the end of the first season, none of the characters named the king’s disease, not even the doctors were able to make a diagnosis.
Behind the scenes on “Queen Charlotte,” actor Corey Mylchreest, who plays the younger version of King George, said the writers never shut down on a diagnosis. The same information was confirmed by Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the old version of Queen Charlotte, in an interview released in 2020.
Apparently, by now the Bridgerton universe has embraced the theory of mental illness, as George only hallucinates when nervous and under pressure.
“Bridgerton” and “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” are available on Netflix.
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The ‘Queen Charlotte’ post: What is King George’s disease in the Bridgerton spin-off? first appeared on Look Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
