Did Reynolds Die in Queen Charlotte? Shonda Rhimes Explains What Happened to Him

Bridgerton is known for exploring historical drama with a modern approach, and the eagerly anticipated prequel spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is no exception. The main concept of the show delves into Queen Charlotte's life alongside King George, but one of the prequel's most intriguing subplots focuses on the passionate relationship between Sam Clemmett's Brimsley, and Freddie Dennis' Reynolds.

But as audiences immerse themselves in the romantic journey of the royal footmen, they've been left with one burning question: where is Reynolds?

When the show first aired, observant fans were quick to notice that Reynolds had been conspicuously absent in the first two installments of its source series. This led to a rather tragic speculation that he may have died before the events of Bridgerton. Well, show creator Shonda Rhimes and the cast have unveiled the truth behind Reynolds' whereabouts, finally putting an end to this puzzle.

What Does the Cast Have to Say?

When talking with Decider, Freddie humorously quipped that Reynolds was enjoying a holiday in the Maldives. Sam Clemmett, on the other hand, added, 'I keep saying Barbados.' They went on to reveal that, in reality, they had no clue where Reynolds really was. 'But what I do know — and [turning to Sam] I think we've decided on this — is wherever he is, Brimsley and Reynolds still love each other very, very much,' Dennis explained.

To offer more clarity on the hot topic, Hugh Sachs, who depicts the older Brimsley, disclosed to Vulture that there was a scene featuring the meeting of the pair, which ultimately didn't make it into the final cut.

'He was the love of his life, and for whatever reason, they could not stay together. Because of the world they inhabited, it was still a hangable offense to be gay, and it was just not possible,' he explained.

Of course, these statements still raised questions about whether the scene wasn't filmed due to Reynolds meeting a tragic end.

Shonda Rhimes Sets the Record Straight

Addressing the fans' speculations, Shonda Rhimes provided some valuable answers concerning Reynolds' destiny. In an exclusive scoop for Shondaland, Rhimes verified that Reynolds is, in fact, alive, dispelling any theories of his demise.

'A lot of people ask me, 'Is Reynolds dead?' Reynolds is not dead,' Shonda said. 'There's a lot more I could write about that. It was sexy, and it was fun, and it felt very romantic to watch them also have a very real complicated love.'

The producer also emphasized the deeper meaning behind Brimsley's solitary dance in the season finale, explaining that it symbolizes the sacrifices made and the transformative power of duty. That said, it looks like there's hope for Reynolds' story to carry on as Rhimes cryptically hinted at the possibility of exploring his story further.

Source: Decider, Vulture, Shondaland.com.