What is The Great Experiment?

Everyone’s new favorite period drama is streaming on Netflix. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story takes viewers back to Georgian-era England. A young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) is married off to the King of England (Corey Mylchreest) against her will and is forced to move to a country where she knows no one. But soon, she learns how to navigate her new position as Queen and her marriage to King George. In the end, their marriage brings upon a shift that forever changes English society.

Spoilers ahead from Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. 

At the beginning of the season, something called “The Great Experiment” is brought up by Lord Bute. He tells Princess Augusta that Parliament is calling Charlotte and George’s marriage the Great Experiment. Although it’s never really explained in detail what the Great Experiment is, viewers are able to gather what it is based on what the characters say about it.

Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered if you still have absolutely no idea what it is.

The Great Experiment explores the merging of race and classes in English high society. It was basically an attempt to mix the two sides of the ton. Before the Great Experiment, people of color in the ton weren’t allowed entry into the same places as white members. However, with young Queen Charlotte’s arrival and marriage to King George, high society becomes desegregated, and the British monarchy gives people of color titles and land like the white members of the ton.

It basically brought about a change in the social order. People of color were able to rise up the ranks in English society, something they weren’t able to do before. To sum it up, the Great Experiment ultimately leads to a new England, where there’s an integrated ton and everybody has titles. This is the same ton we see in Bridgerton.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is now available to stream on Netflix.