Who was Jacqueline Avant? The woman episode one of Netflix’s Queen Charlotte is tribute to

Netflix has just released its Bridgerton spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and at the end of the first episode there is a tribute to a lady called Jacqueline Avant.

The show focuses on the story of Queen Charlotte, her turbulent relationship with King George and her ascent to the throne. Jacqueline Avant was key to the show being created in the first place, so the first episode being in her name is a touching tribute.

Queen Charlotte episode one pays tribute to Jacqueline Avant, who was key to the show coming about

Jacqueline Avant and her husband, via MediaPunch/Shutterstock

At the end of the first episode of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, titled Queen to Be, a tribute card comes up at the end which reads: “In memory of Jacqueline Avant.”

Jacqueline Avant was a philanthropist and community activist, serving as president of Neighbourhood of Watts, a support group for childcare in South Los Angeles. Before her charity work, Jacqueline Avant was a model and a primary school tutor.

She was key to the show becoming a thing, as she was married to music mogul Clarence Avant and was the mother-in-law of Netflix co-CEO, Ted Sarandos. Her love for Queen Charlotte is what inspired the Bridgerton spin-off. 

In a press release, the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes said she too is “obsessed” with Queen Charlotte, and explained: “What really pushed it was Ted Sarandos, who called me up and said ‘My mother-in-law is obsessed with Queen Charlotte. Do you want to do a Queen Charlotte story?’ And I immediately said yes. Not just because it was Ted, but because I loved the idea.”

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Jacqueline was tragically shot and killed aged 81 in December 2021, when an intruder broke into her Beverly Hills home. Jacqueline’s husband, who she had been married to for 54 years, had been at home at the time of the intrusion. Jacqueline sadly passed away on the way to the hospital.

Her family paid tribute to her, and said in a statement: “Jacqueline was an amazing woman, wife, mother and philanthropist and a 55-year resident of Beverly Hills who has made an immeasurable positive impact on the arts community. She will be missed by her family, friends and all of the people she has helped throughout her amazing life.”

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Queen Charlotte on Netflix: What was the real life illness King George had?

• Meet the insanely talented cast of Netflix’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

• Explained: When is Queen Charlotte set, and how does it fit the Bridgerton story timeline?