Bridgerton plot, cast and season 2: All you need to know about the Netflix period drama with a difference

Bridgerton is the first Netflix series from Shondaland, the production company of prolific writer Shonda Rhimes. Shonda is best known for being executive producer and head writer of long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy and for creating political thriller Scandal.

Based on the best-selling novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton is a quick-witted romantic drama with the elegance of Downton Abbey and the drama of a soap. 

How to watch Bridgerton

Bridgerton launched on Netflix on December 25, 2020. All of season one is available to stream on the platform.

Exclusive Bridgerton interview Polly Walker - The show is a feast for the eyes

Exclusive Bridgerton interview Martins Imhangbe - The show is so refreshing

What is Bridgerton about?

The story follows Daphne, the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family, as she makes her debut on Regency London’s competitive marriage market.

While she aims to emulate her parents and find a match sparked by true love, her older brother begins to rule out potential suitors and the mysterious Lady Whistledown writes a high society ‘scandal sheet’, casting aspersions on Daphne and others.

Daphne and her siblings’ romantic entanglements are keenly watched by mothers who want to make sure their offspring are well matched.

Who’s in the Bridgerton cast?

Phoebe Dynevor leads the show as Daphne - you may recognise her from Waterloo Road, and she’s the daughter of Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor. She stars opposite Rege-Jean Page, who plays the eligible bachelor Duke Simon Basset.

Ben Miller – of The Armstrong & Miller Show and Death In Paradise fame – and London’s Burning’s Lorraine Ashbourne also provides familiar faces as Lord Featherington and Mrs Varley respectively, while mysterious gossip writer Lady Whistledown is voiced by none other than Julie Andrews.

The series also features W1A’s Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), Vanity Fair’s Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton), Adjoa Andoh of EastEnders and Casualty fame (Lady Danbury),  Silent Witness’s Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), child actor Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton) who starred in Goodbye Christopher Robin, Utopia’s Ruth Gemmell (Lady Violet Bridgerton), Beecham House’s Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington) and Safe House’s Harriet Cains (Philipa Featherington).

Ruby Barker (Marina Thompson), Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), Ruby Stokes (Francesca Bridgerton), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton), Polly Walker (Lady Portia Featherington), Sabrina Bartlett (Siena Rosso) and Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich) complete the cast.

Watch the Bridgerton trailer

Is there a Bridgerton season 2?

Yes! A new season was announced in January 2021, with filming due to start in spring. If the following column from Lady Whistledown herself is anything to go by, the new season will focus on Anthony Bridgerton:

The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honor to impart to you:  Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season. I do hope you have stored a bottle of ratafia for this most delightful occasion.

The incomparable cast of Bridgerton will return to production in the Spring of 2021. This author has been reliably informed that Lord Anthony Bridgerton intends to dominate the social season.  I will have my pen ready to report on any and all of his romantic activities.

However, gentle reader, before you set the comments section alight with requests for more sordid details, know that I am disinclined to report on the particulars at this time.  Patience, after all, is a virtue.

Yours Truly,

Lady Whistledown

A new lead cast member has also been confirmed. Simone Ashley - who plays Olivia in Sex Education - will star as Lord Anthony's love interest, Kate Sharma.