It's official, we have a new favourite couple in theBridgertonuniverse - even though they had to keep their love a secret. The world has been swept up by the touching love story between Queen Charlotte's Reynolds and Brimsley. However, as we finished binge-watching the Bridgerton prequel, one burning question remains: What happened to Reynolds, King George's right-hand man?
After rave reviews, it's clear the world agrees that Shonda Rhimeshas delivered with Queen Charlotte. The show follows a young Charlotte as she navigates her complicated marriage to King George and adjusts to her new role as the British Queen. Her love story with George sparked both a deeply moving love story and a societal shift, but in true Bridgerton fashion, it's not the only romance we're introduced to throughout the series.
Viewers also get a glimpse into the lives of palace workers, including the King's right-hand man, Reynolds (Freddie Dennis) and the Queen's man, Brimsley (Sam Clemmett). The pair had a secret relationship and is the first central queer storyline in the hit period drama. In one of their final scenes together, we're left wondering what happened between them as the future of their relationship is left open-ended. Many viewers found themselves scrambling for answers to discover the fate of Reynolds and Brimsley's romance. So, we've done all the digging for you and have found the answer. Be warned: it's heartbreaking.
What happened to Reynolds and Brimsley in Queen Charlotte?
It's unclear on the show what happened to Brimsley and Reynolds at the end of Queen Charlotte. In one of their last moments together on-screen, young Brimsley and Reynolds dance together behind a tree on the farthest outskirts of a ball. The scene then cuts to the Bridgerton point in time, where an adult Brimsley is dancing alone. Based on the abrupt cut, many viewers assumed that Reynolds either passed away or their relationship ended. Hugh Sachs, the actor who plays the older version of Brimsley, revealed what happened to our new favourite couple in his latest interview.
'There was a scene that we didn't film because it was cut, where I was going to meet the older Reynolds,' Hugh told Vulture. 'He was the love of his life, and for whatever reason, they could not stay together. So when they would pass each other in the passageway in the deleted scene, it wasn't a toxic moment. Because of the world they inhabited, it was still a hangable offence to be gay, and it was just not possible.'
In Episode 6, Brimsely also tells Queen Charlotte that he is, in fact, very single. Thankfully, creator Rhimes confirmed to Shondaland.com that Reynolds is very much alive. But Reynolds and Brimsley’s duties have apparently gotten in the way of their romance. 'I thought the idea that service takes over was really interesting. When you see Brimsley alone, that’s what that’s supposed to convey,' Rhimes said. 'A lot of people ask me, ‘Is Reynolds dead?’ Reynolds is not dead. There’s a lot more I could write about that.' I hope Shonda knows that the whole world is anticipating a continuation to their love story...
The intimate dancing scene between the pair continues to move viewers and the actors have given some insight into the touching scene. Dennis and Clemmett told Netflix that they were more than a little nervous to pull it off. They also revealed that they shot the scene in the early hours of the morning with 'about 10 minutes' to get it just right.
'But there was a moment where we mess up the dance a little bit, and that made it into the final cut because we giggle about it,' Clemmett says. 'That’s actually the truth within that moment. It’s two people that are stealing five minutes with each other just to be present — they wouldn’t have been taught that dance.'
The hunger to enjoy a scant few seconds together — and a love like the rest of the ton — is what powers the emotion of the dance. 'The chaos of filming that late and trying to make sure we get it all done is again representative of their relationship because they do only get five, 10, sometimes two minutes with each other,” Clemmett continues.Despite the pressure, Dennis only sees 'unadulterated joy' in the scene. 'I felt so emotional that night because it’s such a moment for Reynolds and Brimsley,' says Dennis. 'They feel this moment together of reconciliation, given everything that’s preceded that event.'
Hopefully, we get to see more of the duo in the upcoming season of Bridgerton, or at least hear their names referenced by the Queen. Who knows? Maybe we'll get to see more LGBTQ+ romances unfold once new episodes of the beloved series are released. Or perhaps Shonda will actually write a story solely focussed on the pair. Either way - we are team Brimsley and Reynolds!