Last year I wrote about a possible second spin off after a post on Tom Verica's instagram re-ignited talk of a second spin off from Bridgerton. Again Tom Verica has waded into the discussions around spin offs, this time at the Part 1 premiere for Season 4 where he confirmed that they were in discussions about some more spin offs, this time about characters the viewers already know. This has again brought about the talk of possible spin offs into the fandom, I will not go over all of my previous speculations, you can read them here, however, I will look at one other possibility, and re-visit another popular choice for a spin off, and look at recent comments regarding it.
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Will and Alice Mondrich:
Is it possible that one idea in discussion is a spin off that focusses on Will and Alice Mondrich? This could be a more popular choice than first appears as many fans are frustrated with how little they bring to the main show, but do like them as characters. A spin off focussed on the Mondriches has the potential for rich storytelling depending on how it is approached. Will's career as a boxer, how he became friends with Simon, their struggles in the early part of their life, all contain opportunities for a spin off limited series. The problem with Shondaland is that this story requires nuance and it is doubtful if the current creative team are up to the task.
Image Credit: Netflix
Lady Danbury:
With hints in part 1 of the latest season that Lady Danbury could be leaving the main show it has been suggested that there could be a spin off of Lady Danbury. This could be told in two timelines with Lady Danbury returning to her homeland while having flashbacks to her childhood and early years in her abusive marriage. While this sounds good in theory it is hard to know if it would resonate with the viewers who generally were not happy with the darker themes in the Queen Charlotte spin off (out of the main show and this it has the lowest viewership numbers). From all accounts Lady Danbury's story would be darker than that of Queen Charlotte, however it has been suggested that it coud also lead into Hyacinth's season if Lady Danbury were to return to London with her daughter and grandson, Gareth. But for a brand that began as a romance would the darker themes of Lady Danbury's story play well to the viewers?
Image Credit: Netflix
This is a spin off that has been discussed widely since season 2 aired, it is a popular choice for a spin off in the fandom, and with Anthony and Kate having been sent to India in season 3 it leaves open a wide range of potential for storylines that could explore Kate's past, and maybe show us a wedding that many fans have been craving to see. Despite this being one of the ideas with the most potential, it is also the most unlikely as it does seem that the production has some issue with Kate and Anthony, also it is the one spin off idea that Shonda Rhimes has ruled out definitively. Adding into the mix is a recent interview with US Weekly where Julia Quinn said that neither Jonathan Bailey or Simone Ashley would make themselves available for a TV show, though whether Julia was speaking on behalf of the actors or trying to make an excuse that would put the blame on them instead of production is not absolutely clear, though I suspect the latter.
It should be noted that being 'in talks' about a spin off is not the same as a spin off happening, so it is a case of wait and see what Netflix does with regards to this. In the meantime fans will continue to hope for a spin off that is about their faves, but with the limited success of the Queen Charlotte spin off will Netflix see any of the current characters a viable option for one?
