Agatha Danbury is the Best Character in Bridgerton.
If you are a period drama-loving black woman like me, then instead of the Coronation, you watched Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
In between the orchestral versions of classic R&B songs, the wigs, stunning gowns and incredible one-liners - ‘Sorrows. Prayers’, the world created in a multiracial Georgian England is an interesting one to behold and Charlotte and George is a love story that left me with all the feels.
Queen Charlotte showed us very strong women who did whatever they needed to do to control their own fates and the fates of their children. They did not surrender to the limitations placed upon women in society, even when they hated doing what they did.
And we have to talk about the consistent, most badass woman of London Society: Lady Agatha Danbury
Agatha Danbury, who Adoja Andoh portrays in the main series and Arsema Thomas as her younger self, is already a compelling character. Introduced as the titan of the Ton, only second to the Queen herself, she is both a firm hand and warm guidance to the younger characters, from the Duke of Hastings, Simon, who she takes under her wing and away from his awful father to Kate and Edwina Sharma in season 2.
In Queen Charlotte: A Brigderton Story, we are introduced to a young Agatha married to a man, Herman Danbury (Cyril Nri). Agatha was "promised" in marriage to Herman Danbury when she was 3 years old, not an age when you are making lots of life-changing choices like who you're to marry. Not only do we learn that, but we also learn that from that point on her entire life and education becomes a pursuit to turn her exactly into the woman Herman wants.
But even so, she manages to find her own identity and way of integrating herself into a society that does not want her. She throws the first ball of the season, which remains precedent in the current Bridgerton timeline. Iconic. No notes.
She becomes an adversary to Princess Augusta (Michelle Fairley), who is clearly very racist and hates how Agatha gatekeeps Charlotte from her. She is a loyal and dependable friend who clearly cares for Charlotte’s well-being. Especially as the other ladies-in-waiting mock the young Charlotte behind her back, Agatha is shown to be a genuine friend to her, not a mere sycophant who simpers for power. She recognises what Charlotte represents, as well as the loneliness a young married woman faces.
We get to watch her progress from a woman unsure of herself, cowed by an abusive husband to negotiating the right of inheritance for all people of colour with new titles in England. It is no wonder everyone fears and respects her. She secured the rights and money for generations to come. She is shown to be a force to be reckoned with, even in her own personal relationships.
Her interpersonal relationships reveal a softer side to her, as we see her bond with the kind, considerate (not to mention handsome) Lord Ledger (Keir Charles), father to Violet Bridgerton. They go for heartwarming walks and get to know one another, and make each other laugh. She is shown to be desired as a woman, not a mere baby-making machine. And I cannot blame him or her.
Yes, affairs are technically bad. But the way he came to her house, with a birthday hat and the intent of showing Agatha exactly how he feels? It is what she deserves. And it is shown to be more than a mere physical relationship, but perhaps even love, as Lady Danbury is still shown to recall the relationship as a source of joy decades later.
We also get to see her relationship with Adolphus (Tunji Kasim), Charlotte’s brother, who also clearly desires her and her mind and even proposes. But she chooses her children and independence, having gotten a taste of what it is to be her own woman as a widow, and she thrives in it. (Also noting that the real Adolphus Frederick IV never married and Shonda, I need so more yearning if there is a season 2, please and thank you!)
The complexity and storyline she is given are not usually seen for black women, especially in historical dramas. Agatha gets to be strong whilst being warm and kind. Her anger or upset is never belittled or presented as irrational. She is a sexual being who is not demonised for being so and is desired for both her looks and mind.
In short, she is another piece of black female representation we have wanted for a while. With a media landscape that appears to be embracing more stories for people of colour, it is great to see this within an environment and period we do not typically get to see black women in.