Photo: Liam Daniel/Netflix, Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Storydedicated its debut to a special philanthropist who inspired the show.
While Avant, 81, did not have any direct ties to the show and its filming, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who is married to Avant’s daughterNicole, said the late philanthropist initially inspired the series.
Inan Instagram poston Thursday, Sarandos, 58, revealed that Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, whom the series is based on, was a “favorite historical figure” of his mother-in-law.
Avant even gave him an idea for aQueen Charlottespinoff, Sarandos said.
“After the release of the first season ofBridgerton, I had the occasion to be at [Avant’s] home with my wife @Nicoleavantofficial and while Nicole was talking to her father Clarence, Jacquie pulled me aside and said, ‘you really must do something on Netflix about Queen Charlotte,'” he wrote in the post, which featured one of the Queen’s letters.
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Sarandos said he “politely took them home and started to read and instantly could see what an amazing story she had and my head filled with possibilities.”
He then calledBridgertoncreator and showrunnerShonda Rhimes"about Jacquie’s inspired idea" and told her that “someone was certainly going to tell her story in a film or series and it should be her.”
Sarandos said Rhimes, 53, “loved the idea and jumped in,” before helping to bring the “first expansion of Bridgerton beyond the book series” to Netflix screens.
Unfortunately, Avant tragically died before getting to see the final product. In late November 2021, she wasfatally shot during a home invasion robberyat her Beverly Hills home.
“Jacqueline did not live to see what you all will see tonight but you will see in the last moments of episode one, Shonda has dedicated the series to the memory of Jacqueline Avant,” Sarandos concluded his post. “I love that Jacquie and I shared that special moment and it led to the creation of something really magical.”
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Avant was known for doing philanthropic work across Los Angeles and Black communities and organized benefits to raise money for childcare services. She served on many charitable boards, including one for the UCLA International Student Center as well as the National Organization for Women’s entertainment division and the Neighbors of Watts, per theLos Angeles Times.
Rhimes has also done her fair share of philanthropic work, givingcharitable donations to universities like Dartmouth Collegeand to the film arts, according to the Ford Foundation.
Both Avant and Rhimes also became involved in politics, with the Avant family campaigning for prominent Black politicians like late Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley and former PresidentBarack Obama, perEntertainment Weekly.
Last year, Rhimes teamed up with Barack’s wifeMichelle Obamato helpeducate communities on the importance of votingand voting rights. She has also been a staunch supporter of women’s rights and was honored at the annualGlobal Women’s Rights Awardsin 2015.
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Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Storyis now streaming on Netflix.
source: people.com
