'Bridgerton' Spinoff Gives Fans the Gay Love Story They've Been Wanting

"Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," the six-episode "Bridgerton" spinoff now streaming on Netflix that reveals the character's origin story, has fans buzzing about a gay romance finally coming to fruition, according to Metro.

The series, created by Shonda Rhimes (who also wrote the bulk of the episodes), features some of the "Bridgerton" characters fans know and love, as well as introducing younger versions that are played by different actors. The story unfolds in two time periods: the time of the main "Bridgerton" series, and several decades earlier, when Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (India Amarteifio) finds herself married off to King George III of England (Corey Mylchreest) by her brother, whose main motive is to secure the protection of the mighty British Empire for his tiny duchy.

Bride and groom meet cute and fall for each other at once, and rom-com style misunderstandings ensue, as George – remembered by history as a "mad king" – seeks to protect his new wife from the knowledge of his frequent bouts of mania and delusion.

But – spoiler alert! – there are other torches burning at the royal court, and one of them is a queer flame shared by the royal couple's personal attendants, Reynolds (Freddie Dennis) and Brimsley (Sam Clemmett). Each man is devoted to his own member of the royal family, to the point of Reynolds excluding Brimsley from the truths behind the secrecy that surrounds George. "You're keeping secrets!" Brimsley exclaims with the injured tone of a betrayed spouse. This couple might pursue their relationship in the strictest secrecy, but Brimsley and Reynolds' ups and downs become as much a part of the show's fabric as the tumultuous – and passionate – marriage between the king and queen.

It's a plot point that enriches the story and enlivens the series as a whole; as Distractify noted, the Reynolds/Brimsely romance is "the highlight" of the show.

That's a change from how the main show's first two seasons have been handled.

"In the past, there was a point when 'Bridgerton' viewers thought that an LGBT+ relationship that could be significant to the plot was on the cards, after a teaser for season one showed a brief glimpse of two men in an embrace," Metro recalled.

"However, while some originally thought one of the men could have ended up being Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) – due to insinuations that he might not have been straight – it turned out to be two minor characters who were barely featured, leaving many sorely disappointed by having their hopes built up while accusing the drama of 'queerbaiting.'"

Gay representation is only fitting on the show, given that at least two "Bridgerton" cast members are openly LGBTQ+ – Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the older Queen Charlotte, and Jonathan Bailey, who plays Anthony Bridgerton.

The spinoff is billed as a miniseries, which suggests that these six episodes are intended to stand alone, but there's room for a second season of "Queen Charlotte." One enduring mystery that's sure to entice fans is how the story of Reynolds and Brimsley will continue. In the main show, where Hugh Sachs plays Brimsley, there's been no sign of Reynolds or any current lover for Charlotte's loyally attentive servant – but in one touching scene, it's clear that, whatever happened, the older Brimsley has never gotten over Reynolds.

That relationship is a huge dangling story thread, and one that might be satisfactorily tied up any number of ways, either on the main show, a continuation of "Queen Charlotte," or some other related series – "perhaps a dedicated Brimsley and Reynolds love saga?" Metro speculated.

If history is any indication, queer "Bridgerton" fans would soak up such an offering from Netflix. Indeed, they already are. Have a look at some of the Twitter responses to the sweet downstairs pairing: