The 19th Century Regency period drama Bridgerton returns with a season 2 on your Netflix screens on 25th March 2022, and we can all expect more glitz, glamor, and a new tale of romance. Netflix’s Twitter teased the Twitterverse by sharing wholesome glimpses of the cast in costumes. Of course, the release date varies from region to region, so if you want to know how to change your Netflix regions in 2022, this article might help.
Thought you might like to see a few new photos from Bridgerton Season 2 pic.twitter.com/PNcyDGqAI1
— Netflix (@netflix) March 1, 2022
The new season turns the spotlight towards Anthony Bridgerton (played by Jonathan Bailey), the dreamy actor, in the quest to find his bride who catches the attention of the newly introduced Sharma sisters, Kate and Edwina (played by Sex Education star Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran).
Kate acts as her sister’s gatekeeper to all potential suitors, including Anthony, and tries to prevent their courtship. Kate believes Anthony is nothing more than a “Rake” and goes beyond words in shutting his feelings down. Surprisingly, it’s this kind of spicy dialogue that inadvertently brings them closer.
“We’re telling this incredibly emotional and fraught and charged and complex sexy and steamy enemies-to-lovers love story,” says the creator Chris Van Dusen in an interview “It’s lots of fraught looks and charged looks across the room and finger grazes and hand touches.”. Van Dusen wanted to characterize Anthony and Kate as a different couple than Daphne and Simon. He further adds “The main narrative arc of this season is this question of head versus heart, or duty versus love, and which one wins.”
Bridgerton Season 2 premieres March 25 pic.twitter.com/zgB1WTj8ru
— Netflix (@netflix) March 2, 2022
Jonathan Bailey wholeheartedly spoke about his role as the romantic lead and shared how his character possesses certain “toxic” traits, the kind found in the novel and the royal men of the Regency era. He shares that “The idea that [Bridgerton] is coming out again is a bit of a rug pull, It’s quite scary. What it means to be a rake, and how his anxiety and self-hatred play into that. [In typical period dramas] you never really get behind the men, or know why they’re avoidant and toxic.”.
Other than Lady Whistleown (Julie Andrews) narration, season 2 has a new ensemble of characters which includes:
- Kate Sharma played by Simone Ashley
- Edwina Sharma played by Charithra Chandran
- Lady Mary Sharma played by Shelly Conn
- Jack played by Rupert Young
- Theo Sharpe played by Calam Lynch
- Lord Edmund Bridgerton played by Rupert Evans
Some of the returning cast members are Julian Andrews as Lady Whistledown, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, and Polly Walker and Ruth Gemmell as the Dowager Countess Bridgerton and Lady Portia Featherington.
Bridgerton fan? Share your views!
In a recent interview on BBC Radio 2, Claudia Winkleman shared: “[After] that reveal at the end of series one, you very much get to see behind the curtain in series two.” She further added “We see how she gets away with the things that she gets away with. And for me, it was so much fun because in series one she’s a shy, retiring wallflower, and then series two you go, ‘oh, she’s got all this new stuff going on,’ and it was extremely fun to film.”
In case you missed it, check out the trailer of Bridgerton season 2 below:
Although Daphne and Simon stole the show in season 1, the creator confirmed that Simon will not be appearing in season 2, but Daphne sure will. The actor, Regé-Jean Page’s absence certainly let down a lot of viewers but it was in the best interest of the plot. Van Dusen shares with TVLine
“We do reference Simon, In the very first scene of Season 2, Daphne mentions she left her husband and baby at home [to be there for Eloise’s debut]. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out in terms of Rege being a part of the second season, but he will always be Bridgerton‘s Duke. He’s not going anywhere in the world of the show. And just because we don’t see him, it doesn’t mean that he’s not there.”
Last year, Regé-Jean Page explained himself of his decision to quit the series in an interview with Variety that “Simon was this bomb of a one-season antagonist, to be reformed and to find his true self through Daphne. I think one of the bravest things about the romance genre is allowing people a happy ending.” He further shared “[I thought] ‘That’s interesting,’ because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit, and then the Bridgerton family rolls on… I have nothing but excitement for Bridgerton continuing to steam train off and conquer the globe. But there is also value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing.
If you’re following Julia Quinn’s novel collection, you’d think season 2 would mean the second book, and you’re right. In the sequel, Lady Whistledown narrates the description of Anthony Bridgerton as “London’s most elusive bachelor” and “consummate rake” who has no plans on marrying, although that’s contrary to the series. The novel does further tells us that “Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry – he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield – the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams.
“Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands – and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister – but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…”
Bridgerton is not just looking forward, it’s looking backward as well. Not only are we getting a season 2, but a prequel is currently in the making, as announced by Netflix on 14th May. The prequel will revolve around Queen Charlotte and her backstory.
Not a lot of details have surfaced but Netflix’s head of global TV Bela Bajaria told Deadline that “Many viewers had never known the story of Queen Charlotte before Bridgerton brought her to the world, and I’m thrilled this new series will further expand her story and the world of Bridgerton,” She also shared.
And continued, “Shonda and her team are thoughtfully building out the Bridgerton universe so they can keep delivering for the fans with the same quality and style they love. And by planning and prepping all the upcoming seasons now, we also hope to keep up a pace that will keep even the most insatiable viewers fulfilled.”
The fans are in between an emotional mess, between Page’s absence, and Anthony’s “rake” characterization, the overall feeling is mutual. The fans are already excited that the show is rebooted for a third and fourth season. Stay ready For 25th March 2022 as Bridgerton Season 2 comes to Netflix.
