Bridgerton fans are ready to re-enter Shondaland. It’s been too long. And following an exciting Christmas surprise announcement of the second season’s premiere date, Netflix has also just released new photos from the upcoming installment.
The hit streaming show is based on Julia Quinn’s novels, set in the competitive world of Regency-era London. It is the first scripted Netflix series by powerhouse producer Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away With Murder). It also became the most-watched series on Netflix at the time of its premiere and remains the second most-watched series by total watch time on the platform.
Rightfully so, as season 1 was full of delights—one of which, of course, was Regé-Jean Page. His performance helped skyrocket the English actor to stardom, which led to a well-received hosting gig at NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Fans were then disappointed, to say the least, when it was confirmed Page wouldn’t return for season 2, news that was hilariously highlighted during Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
In April 2021, creator Chris Van Dusen revealed on Twitter that the series had additionally been renewed for a third and fourth season. But before then, we can’t wait to see what the second installment will bring. Here’s a closer look at everything we know.
Who’s Returning to the Cast & Who’s New
Netflix revealed that Simone Ashley will be joining the Bridgerton cast as Kate Sharma. “Kate is a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools—Anthony Bridgerton very much included,” the streaming giant tweeted. Ashley is currently known best for her part as Olivia in another Netflix hit, Sex Education. Show creator Chris Van Dusen recently told Today that Kate and Anthony’s relationship will be “sweeping and moving and as beautiful as viewers of the first season have come to expect from the show.”
And while Regé-Jean Page would not be returning as Simon Bassett, Phoebe Dynevor will be returning as Daphne. “I think [Simon will] definitely be referred to a lot,” Dynevor told TheWrap. “I think we’ll see the baby. And we’ll just focus more on her relationship with the Bridgerton family.”
In addition to Ashley, The Hollywood Reporter announced back in April that four new characters have been cast. Charithra Chandran will play Kate’s younger sister, Shelley Conn will play Kate and Edwina’s mother, Calam Lynch will play a hardworking printer’s assistant, and Rupert Young plays a new character—not from the books—who has a connection to one of Bridgerton’s most notable families.
Rupert Evans, who you might remember from Charmed, has been cast as Edmund, the late Bridgerton patriarch and father of the siblings. He’ll likely be featured in Anthony’s flashbacks, since Edmund’s death had a profound effect on Anthony. The first season ended with a shot of a bee, which is a callback to how Edmund died (an allergic reaction to a bee sting) and an indication that Edmund will feature heavily in the Anthony-centric season two. Plus, it’s safe to say the Bridgerton family at large is expected to make an appearance, as this season is about all things Anthony (played by Jonathan Bailey).
New Plot: What Will Season 2 Be About?
Netflix
In general, Netflix’s hit show follows the eight close-knit siblings of the Bridgerton family look for love and happiness in London high society. “A picture is worth nothing compared to the words of this author,” reads a recent tweet from the Bridgerton’s official Twitter account. “There is much to be revealed this upcoming social season…”
And here is Netflix’s official description for season 2: “Driven by his duty to uphold the family name, Anthony’s search for a debutante who meets his impossible standards seems ill-fated until Kate (Simone Ashley) and her younger sister Edwina (Charithra Chandran) Sharma arrive from India. When Anthony begins to court Edwina, Kate discovers the true nature of his intentions — a true love match is not high on his priority list — and decides to do everything in her power to stop the union. But in doing so, Kate and Anthony’s verbal sparring matches only bring them closer together, complicating matters on both sides. Across Grosvenor Square, the Featheringtons must welcome the newest heir to their estate while Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) continues to navigate the ton whilst keeping her deepest secret from the people closest to her.”
Bridgerton focuses on the new relationship in its second outing and is based on Julia Quinn’s novel The Viscount Who Loved Me, the second in Quinn’s best-selling Bridgerton series. “We pick up Anthony after we’ve seen what he’s been through with his mistress,” said showrunner Van Dusen to Variety. “He’s thinking, ‘Was that love?’ Some would call it that, others would not. We’re exploring those concepts of duty and honor once again.”
While true fans all know the show is famous for taking its storylines from the book series that inspired Shondaland writers, don’t be alarmed if the new season deviates slightly from The Viscount Who Loved Me. “I think with all the books and their relationship to the series, I think [author] Julia Quinn has always been saying the books are the starting point and then the writers can have some sort of fun around it,” Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton) told People. “So yes, it is the book in the sense that it is Anthony Bridgerton’s love story…like with the first season, the main structure is the book, yes, but the writers are also having fun with it. There are always adjustments and changes, so I’m sure that will carry on.”
Anticipated Release Date
After Bridgerton’s official Instagram account confirmed a second season a year ago, fans became eager to know when new episodes would drop on Netflix. The second season started filming in the spring of 2021 but had to pause in mid-July following a COVID-19 outbreak on set. It resumed filming in mid-August, with Van Dusen confirming that at least the first couple of episodes were in post-production in the meantime. While fans were hoping for a Christmas 2021 date — a year after the release of season one — Netflix revealed in September 2021 that the second season wouldn’t come out until 2022. On Christmas Day 2021, Netflix gave us the Christmas present of all: a release date. The cast got together to share the big news: Bridgerton season 2 will premiere on March 25, 2022.
