'Queen Charlotte' Star India Amarteifio is the Queen of Our Hearts
As the star of Netflix’s new Bridgerton prequel, India Amarteifio has found her place firmly in the spotlight.
Photography by Emily Soto
Styled by Calvy Click
Our current setting is certainly worthy of a royal—tucked away from the drizzling rain in the screening room of a penthouse suite with sweeping views of Central Park—but, fresh off of her L’OFFICIEL shoot, India Amarteifio is more cozy than courtly, snuggled into a fuzzy cardigan and lush slippers.
Still, the star of Netflix’s new Bridgerton prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, doesn’t need ruffled frocks or haute couture to be regal. Amarteifio started her career on the stage, appearing on the West End in productions like The Lion King and Matilda the Musical before making the switch to TV with roles on BBC mainstay Doctor Who and Disney’s The Evermoor Chronicles. With the poise and self-assurance of someone twice her age, the actor reflects on the journey which has brought her to her first starring role—in one of entertainment’s buzziest franchises, no less.
“It was about a five-month audition process of meetings and tapes—and it was all virtual as well, so it didn't feel very real,” she says. “I've gotten really close to leading parts or very, very major parts, and it's never gone my way. I was getting frustrated and I was like, ‘Okay, maybe I just need to get used to the idea that I'm not meant to lead; I’m a supporting actor, and that's fine.’ But I always wanted the challenge, and I feel like this was the perfect way to test myself.”
The actress didn’t just rise to the occasion; she raised the bar for the entire series with her portrayal of the young Queen Charlotte. On the day Amarteifio’s cover shoot takes place, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story released on Netflix to rave reviews from hard-to-please critics, though she’s dutifully staying clear of the Internet while Bridgerton fans voraciously binge her big debut.
“I know how much they love Bridgerton and they love this franchise,” she says. “I hope that they come away with their questions answered, that they really enjoy the series, and that they get to know more about the characters.”
As for herself, Amarteifio has a nice long break planned after she wraps up this whirlwind press tour. “I would like a little break just to get my head around things and see my family—and apologize for some of the scenes,” she adds with a laugh, referring to the show’s notoriously sexy romps.
But once Hollywood gets a glimpse of her starring turn in Bridgerton, it’s hard to imagine she’ll be free for much longer. For L’OFFICIEL, Amarteifio shares stories of bonding with her Bridgerton co-stars, wearing those sumptuous period costumes, and tackling the new world of red-carpet appearances.
L’OFFICIEL: What made you want to get into acting?
INDIA AMARTEIFIO: I always wanted to dance; I went to performing arts school when I was 11 to 16. Then I really badly injured myself, and it made me question the industry and the lifestyle of something so reliant on my body. I constantly was getting injured and ill, and it made me look at the reality of the life of a dancer. I always loved the acting element through dance, so I made the natural transition that way. But I always wanted to perform—acting is just more of a newish venture.
L’O: You started on stage; why did you transition into film?
IA: It was changing my view, and me growing up and realizing that I wanted to be quite particular with what I was doing. I was about 10 to 12 when I was on stage, so I don't have experience as an adult, but it's very demanding. Every day, doing the same thing over and over again; it can become quite monotonous, and there's a lot of dancing in those shows as well.
At 13, 14, when I started to consider acting, I just wanted a bit more severity. Sometimes with musical theatre, because there's so much going on, certain things aren’t looked at with incredible detail, and I'm all about specifics. Film allows you to really hone in on tiny, tiny mannerisms that make a massive difference, because it's so close, you're so tight. You don't have to address the whole world; you just have to address the person in your scene.
L’O: What was appealing about not just starring in Bridgerton, but of playing Queen Charlotte specifically?
IA: I mean, what isn’t appealing? It just felt like the right project, and the right timing; it felt like it was almost written for me—well, it was written for Golda [Rosheuvel]. [Laughs.] I just felt an instant connection to it.
L’O: This is the first time the series really addresses the origins of what they call the "Great Experiment." How do you view Charlotte's role in that?
IA: The Great Experiment is the marriage, the interracial union between George and Charlotte, which brings a segregated society together—which doesn't come without its own problems and challenges, but that’s explored in the show. She's obviously one half of that, and she is the object in many people's paths, but also, she is the plow, almost; she is allowing these people to now be integrated into society. She is a leader; she is someone who takes on responsibility, unknowingly and knowingly. People listen, because she goes against the grain.
A lot of it is helped by Lady Danbury [Queen Charlotte’s occasional confidante and society’s grande dame in Bridgerton] and her re-reminding her of who she is, and the power that she holds. A lot of that is in George as well, giving her the confidence to lean into that power and not be scared or shy about it, and to remember the role that she holds in society is much bigger than herself.
L’O: How did you work with Arsema [Thomas, who plays Lady Danbury] on that dynamic?
IA: We actually really didn't film for very long together; I think we've probably only filmed maybe a week's worth of content. But those moments are so crucial. We had rough conversations prior to filming about the importance of each scene, which you usually do with an actor, but we worked quite individually. With Charlotte and Agatha [Lady Danbury], they’re two very different people who come together, and I think Arsema and I already have that understanding of being two Black girls in an industry in which most of the rooms you walk into are white; in a lot of the scenes, we both are drawing from our own experiences as Black women.
L’O: Obviously, this is Bridgerton, so the story between George and Charlotte is quite sexy, but it’s also incredibly intimate with his mental health issues. How did you and Corey [Mylchreest, who plays George] build that rapport?
IA: I worked quite closely with Corey, and that was really important for me to be able to have that relationship with him and for us to work as one entity, almost, because George and Charlotte's love story is so compelling and so passionate. There's a lot of trust that needs to be built. We would do crazy 12-hour shoots and then we would come back to the hotel and do another four hours of just us script-annotating together, Corey asking me the questions I needed to be asked to be able to understand what's going on, and vice versa.
The writing, and the direction from our brilliant director, Tom Verica, was imperative in aiding us and informing us on the kind of relationship that George and Charlotte had. It's incredibly intense, probably the most passionate out of all the love stories, just because there's this instant bonding of two souls. It's not an enemies-to-lovers story at all; it's lovers and beyond. Their love just deepens, and it becomes more complex. It's multifaceted.
L’O: You and Golda [Rosheuvel, who plays the older Queen Charlotte] wouldn’t have filmed together, but what did you discuss about Charlotte’s story arc with each other?
IA: Not much, because it's in the writing, but also, we’re technically playing two different parts. There's so much time in between the Charlotte we see in Bridgerton, and the Charlotte that I'm portraying, that they are almost two different people. We had a couple of conversations at the beginning of filming to get an understanding of each other's understanding of Charlotte, just to make sure that there was some continuity there. But Golda is really, really, really lovely, and doing this tour and getting to spend more time with her has been an absolute joy.
L’O: What was the filming experience like for you?
IA: It was six months, but it was probably the best six months of my life. I had such a good time. I was beyond exhausted; I didn't even know what kind of state I was in by the end of filming, but not a day went by where I wasn't having the most fun. I was laughing like I've never laughed before. The friendships I've made and the connections I've made, I would hope they are for life.
"I’m very much an actor’s actor...that is my passion and my ambitions are not material."
L’O: The costumes are all so stunning, as was the hair and makeup; what was it like filming in those looks?
IA: It was a process, but incredibly important for me to be able to do my job, because it allowed me to create a whole other person. The costumes felt so dissimilar to anything that I as India would wear; I would look at myself after being in two hours of hair and makeup and costuming, and not recognize the person in the mirror. Even watching it, I don't actually recognize myself!
But the costumes are incredible, and everything's in the details. It's so specific and so considered, and I felt very empowered and very sure of myself and very sure of my character, because there's been so much thought put into every article, and hairpiece, and makeup look.
L’O: How was your experience on set at the L’OFFICIEL shoot?
IA: It’s been my favourite shoot I've done. From the beginning to the end, it was just really seamless. The team knew exactly what they wanted, and they were asking my opinion, and I think that's really cool, the collaboration element. I loved the clothes as well—I will be purchasing from this collection.
L’O: Would you consider yourself to be someone who's really into fashion?
IA: Yeah, for sure! I’m very much an actor’s actor—I love acting. That is my passion and my ambitions are not material in any sense of, “I'm in this industry to get an Oscar” or “I'm in this industry to be famous.” I think everything that comes with the job is an extension of the job, and part of acting means that I get to now explore other ventures, such as fashion—which I never really considered until starting the press for this job. Understanding how important it is and how clothes can make you feel, it can really transform a mood and an atmosphere. I would absolutely love to get more into fashion.
L’O: Speaking with actors about their approach to the red carpet, there are often two camps: those who like to feel like an elevated version of themselves, and those who like to create a character every time. Which do you feel relates to you?
IA: I would say an elevated version of myself. I struggle so much trying to pretend to be someone else. I have to be myself, and I have to be comfortable, because otherwise I just feel like I'm selling people a lie. I would much rather be honest with how I'm feeling, and I feel very fortunate that I'm working with people who listen to how I'm feeling.
L’O: Obviously, getting your first leading role is huge. What else do you hope to accomplish?
IA: I would love to work with Jordan Peele, and I'd love to work with Martin McDonagh. I would love to do a musical, like La La Land or West Side Story. I'm up for anything, as long as I feel my morals align with the job and the people that I'm working with, and we're having a good time and people are being treated with respect. I'm all for good vibes, good energy, and good people. But yeah, I want a job! I want to work again! Give me something to do! I'm super excited to step into a new venture, hopefully soon.
L’O: Bridgerton fans can be very loyal; what reception have you gotten from fans so far in stepping into this world?
IA: They've been great; it's all been very positive. I was a little bit nervous when it all kicked off and I thought people would be disinterested, but I think Golda’s done such a good job with Charlotte. People want to know more about her and the matriarch of this society, so I am very excited for them to finally get their content. [Bridgerton fans] kind of personify a hug; they're just so caring, and they take you in. I feel very protective of them.
HAIR Dionne Smith 7EVEN MANAGEMENT
MAKEUP Karina Milan THE WALL GROUP
PRODUCTION Taylor LaTorre NAVIA VISION
DIGITAL TECH Alex Powell
PHOTO ASSISTANTS Alex Powell and Emma Devereaux
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Brionna Carey
LOCATION The Park Lane Hotel
