Bridgerton, Netflix’s runaway hit of 2020 about Regency-era London’s debutante season is back on our screens on Friday, March 25, and if you’re looking for a refresher for Season 1, you’ve come to the right place. Here are four questions that we think you’d need answers to.
What Happened to the Duke?
If you haven’t already heard, then I am truly sorry to be the one to break the news to you. (Don’t kill the messenger!) Regé-Jean Page, the Duke of Hastings, the breakout star of Season 1, the man who is only able to look smoldering in photos, will not be back for the second season of Bridgerton. Phoebe Dynevor is returning as Daphne Basset (née Bridgerton), the Duchess of Hastings, so at least the Bridgerton family will be mostly (I’m looking at you Francesca Bridgerton!) together. (Where is Francesca? Did they hide her away in the country because she’s on drugs?)
How Different Is This Season From the Book?
Julia Quinn’s series of books had always been about the Bridgerton family and their romantic (mis)adventures in Regency-era London. Every book focusses on a different family member, and this upcoming season is based on the second book of the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me.
While there are a number of small character changes throughout the season, the most significant was in casting two actors on Indian descent as Kate and Edwina. Forget the Sheffields, meet the Sharmas. Simone Ashley (Sex Education) and Charithra Chandran (Alex Rider) bring even more diversity to the Ton, no doubt adding a new backstory and an compelling dynamic to the series. (The other interesting change is that while Daphne is pregnant in the second book, she has already had a baby at the beginning of the second season. Which indicates a slightly sped up timeline.)
So Which Bridgerton Is It About This Time?
(Spoilers!) Since Daphne Bridgerton has married the Duke and moved on from the Bridgerton home, whose story is it now?
If you’ve seen any of the trailers for Season 2, the answer is pretty clear. This season is all about the eldest Bridgerton son, the Viscount himself, Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey). The Viscount had publicly declared himself off the table during the previous debutante season because he was privately entangled in a love affair with opera singer Siena Rosso. Towards the end of the first season, Anthony tries to make things right between himself and Siena, only to find her with another man.
This ending to the relationship (if you can even call it that), pushes Anthony Bridgerton to decide to find himself a wife at this year’s debutante season. Not for love mind you, but for duty. He understands his responsibility to his family and sets out to find a wife that might fit the part. With the appearance of the Sharma sisters on the scene, Anthony Bridgerton certainly has his work cut out for him.
But as the new debutante season starts up in the Ton, there is still the unsettled matter of Lady Whistledown to contend with.
What About Lady Whistledown?
So the big revelation at the end of Season 1 was the identity of Lady Whistledown herself. (Spoiler!) It was Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) all along!
Given that a big story arc of Season 1 was the appearance of the gossip columnist and how her identity had consumed the Ton completely, how will knowing the audience knowing who she is affect the story? Is there still any suspense and tension for us? Will the Queen finally get to uncover Lady Whistledown’s true identity? Will Eloise Bridgerton, and her pesky investigations, get her closer to the truth?
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