Founded by friends Leonie Annor-Owiredu and Hannah Lee, Words We Write Festival entered its third year with special guest, Golda Rosheuvel.
Most recently known for appearing in Netflix's award winning series Bridgerton, as the stoic yet formidable Queen Charlotte, and its prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Golda sat down with Leonie and Hannah to share stories from set, talk about her entry into the industry and look at, of course her role as Queen Charlotte.
Golda, along with series producer and creator Shonda Rimes, have fanned the flames of a regency world that is rich in not just colour but nuance.
Bridgerton has had such wide appeal that a spin off which dove deeper into Golda's character was widely welcomed by Bridgerton fans. They wanted to know more about the relationship forged by Queen Charlotte and her love King George.
Golda tells the Words We Write Fest audience about how she gets into character and how Charlotte has become more than just a role. It was really important, she tells Leonie and Hannah, to ensure that as a woman of mixed heritage, Black hair was shown in her costuming.
Golda spoke about how extensive the process was behind the scenes when it came to Queen Charlotte's wigs. Sometimes costuming would take up to six hours just to ensure the wig could sit right throughout hours of filming.
The hair and makeup of Black actors on set is something which has long been a topic of conversation both behind closed doors and more openly post 2020. Conversations like this have forced change in the industry for the better and have allowed for the hair and makeup of Black persons to be prioritised on set.
On the topic of breaking out in your career "later" in life, Golda has long been a seasoned theatre professional. Her accolades include heavy hitters, many of Shakespeare's greatest works, We Will Rock You, The Curious Incident of Dog in and Carmen Jones. But interestingly many have called her role as Queen Charlotte as her 'breakthrough' moment. On this topic Golda doesn't see it that way, but recognises that things in the industry are changing for the better with her appointment but we still have a long way to go.
"I look at the present I'm in, rather than the future".