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Bridgerton

American television series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bridgerton
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For the series of Regency romance novels, see Bridgerton (novel series).

Bridgerton is an American alternative history regency romance television series created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix. Based on the book series of the same name by Julia Quinn, it is Shondaland's first scripted show for Netflix. It follows the close-knit siblings of the noble and influential Bridgerton family as they navigate the highly competitive social season; where young marriageable nobility and gentry are introduced into society. The series is set during the early 19th century in an alternative London Regency era, in which George III established racial equality and granted many people of African descent aristocratic titles due to the African heritage of his wife, Queen Charlotte.[a]

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The first season debuted on December 25, 2020. The series was renewed for a second season in January 2021,[6] and for a third and fourth season in April 2021.[7][8] The second season premiered on March 25, 2022. The third season was released in two parts, which premiered on May 16 and June 13, 2024, respectively.[9] The series was renewed for a fifth and sixth season in May 2025.[10] The fourth season will be released in 2026.[11] Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, a spin-off series focused on Queen Charlotte, was released on May 4, 2023.

Bridgerton was positively received for its direction, actors' performances, production and set design, winning two Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, a Make-Up Artists And Hair Stylists Guild Awards, and nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Satellite Awards and NAACP Image Awards. The music score by Kris Bowers earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

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Premise

Set against the backdrop of the Regency era, the eight close-knit siblings of the noble and powerful Bridgerton family – Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth – navigate London high society in search of love, surrounded by friends and rivals alike.

Cast and characters

Main article: List of Bridgerton characters

Main

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Jonathan Bailey plays Anthony, 9th Viscount Bridgerton
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Simone Ashley plays Kathani "Kate" (née Sharma), Viscountess Bridgerton
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Adjoa Andoh plays Lady Agatha Danbury
  • Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury (née Soma Anderson),[b] the sharp-tongued, insightful doyenne of the ton
  • Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown, the author of a scandalous society newsletter
  • Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley,[c] the Featheringtons' housekeeper
  • Jonathan Bailey as Lord Anthony Bridgerton,[d] 9th Viscount Bridgerton, the eldest Bridgerton son and head of the family
  • Ruby Barker (season 1; guest: season 2) as Marina, Lady Crane (née Thompson), a Featherington cousin from a rural gentry family
  • Sabrina Bartlett (season 1)[e] as Siena Rosso, an opera singer and Anthony's former lover
  • Harriet Cains as Philippa Finch (née Featherington),[f] the middle Featherington daughter
  • Bessie Carter as Prudence Dankworth (née Featherington), the eldest Featherington daughter
  • Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington), the youngest Featherington daughter
  • Phoebe Dynevor (season 1–2)[g] as Daphne Basset (née Bridgerton), Duchess of Hastings,[12] the fourth Bridgerton child and eldest daughter
  • Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton, Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton (née Ledger), mother of the Bridgerton children
  • Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton, the eighth and youngest Bridgerton child
  • Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, the fifth Bridgerton child and second daughter
  • Ben Miller (season 1) as Archibald, Baron Featherington, the patriarch of the Featherington family
  • Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton,[h] the third Bridgerton son
  • Regé-Jean Page (season 1) as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings,[13] one of London's most eligible bachelors who marries Daphne Bridgerton
  • Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte,[i] Queen of the United Kingdom and wife of King George III
  • Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, the second Bridgerton son
  • Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton, the seventh Bridgerton child and youngest son
  • Polly Walker as Lady Portia Featherington, Dowager Baroness Featherington, the matriarch of the Featherington family
  • Simone Ashley (season 2–present)[j] as Kathani "Kate", Viscountess Bridgerton (née Sharma), a spinster who arrived from India
  • Charithra Chandran (season 2) as Edwina Sharma, Kate's younger half-sister
  • Shelley Conn (season 2) as Lady Mary Sharma (née Sheffield), Kate's stepmother and Edwina's mother
  • Martins Imhangbe (season 2–present; recurring season 1) as Will Mondrich,[k] a gentleman's club owner, retired boxer, and confidant of the Duke of Hastings
  • Calam Lynch (season 2)[l] as Theo Sharpe, an apprentice at the printing shop used by Lady Whistledown who befriends Eloise
  • Rupert Young (season 2) as Jack, Baron Featherington, the new head of the Featherington family
  • Victor Alli (season 3–present)[m] as John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, a suitor pursuing and later marrying Francesca Bridgerton
  • Joanna Bobin (season 3; recurring: season 1–2) as Lady Araminta Cowper, Cressida's mother
  • Dominic Coleman (season 3; recurring: season 2)[n] as Lord Cowper, Cressida's father
  • Ruby Stokes (recurring: season 1–2) and Hannah Dodd (season 3–present) as Francesca Stirling (née Bridgerton), Countess of Kilmartin, the sixth Bridgerton child and third daughter
  • Daniel Francis (season 3–present)[o] as Marcus Anderson, Lady Danbury's brother
  • Jessica Madsen (season 3; recurring: season 1–2) as Cressida Cowper, an ill-mannered debutante competing with Daphne and Penelope
  • Hannah New (season 3)[p] as Lady Tilley Arnold, a widow who has a fling with Benedict
  • Masali Baduza (season 4; guest season 3) as Michaela Stirling, John's cousin, Francesca's love interest
  • Yerin Ha (season 4) as Sophie Baek, Benedict's love interest[14]
  • Katie Leung (season 4) as Lady Araminta Gun, Rosamund and Posy's mother and Sophie's stepmother[15]
  • Michelle Mao (season 4) as Rosamund Li, Araminta's older daughter and one of Sophie's stepsisters
  • Emma Naomi (season 4; recurring seasons 1–3) as Alice Mondrich, Will Mondrich's wife
  • Hugh Sachs (season 4; recurring seasons 1–3) as Brimsley, the Queen's gossip-mongering secretary and Queen's man
  • Isabella Wei (season 4) as Posy Li, Araminta's younger daughter and one of Sophie's stepsisters

Recurring

  • Geraldine Alexander as Mrs. Wilson, the Bridgertons' housekeeper
  • Jason Barnett as Jeffries, the Bassets' butler (season 1)
  • Kathryn Drysdale as Genevieve Delacroix, a high society modiste
  • Oli Higginson as John, a footman in the Bridgerton household often working for Eloise
  • Simon Ludders as Humboldt, the Bridgertons' butler (season 1)
  • Molly McGlynn as Rose Nolan, Daphne's loyal maid and confidant (season 1)
  • Julian Ovenden as Sir Henry Granville, an artist who befriends Benedict (season 1)
  • Caleb Obediah as Lord Charles Cho, a society gentleman (season 2–3)
  • Bert Seymour as Lord Fife, a society gentleman (season 2–3)
  • Sam Battersea as Lady Barragan, Winifred Barragan's mother (season 3)
  • Ella Bruccoleri as Winifred Barragan, a debutant with Francesca (season 3)
  • Genevieve Chenneour as Clara Livingston, a fellow debutante with Francesca (season 3)
  • Kitty Devlin as Dolores Stowell, a fellow debutante with Francesca (season 3)
  • Rosa Hesmondhalgh as Rae, maid and confidant to Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington) (season 3)
  • Sesly Hope as Emma Kenworthy, a debutante with Francesca (season 3)
  • Molly Jackson-Shaw as Anne Hartigan, a debutante with Francesca (season 3)
  • Lorn Macdonald as Albion Finch, Philippa Featherington's husband (season 3; guest season 1–2)
  • Sam Phillips as Lord Alfred Debling, a suitor who courts Penelope (season 3)
  • James Phoon as Harry Dankworth, Prudence Featherington's husband (season 3)
  • Vineeta Rishi as Lady Malhotra, Sita Malhotra's mother (season 3)
  • Banita Sandhu as Sita Malhotra, a fellow debutante with Francesca (season 3)
  • Anna Wilson-Jones as Lady Livingston, Clara Livingston's mother (season 3)
  • Sophie Woolley as Lady Stowell, Dolores Stowell's mother (season 3)

Guest

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Family tree

† Edmund,
8th Viscount Bridgerton		Violet,
Dowager Viscountess
Bridgerton
Anthony,
9th Viscount Bridgerton		Benedict BridgertonColin BridgertonDaphne Basset (née Bridgerton),
Duchess of Hastings		Eloise BridgertonFrancesca Stirling (née Bridgerton),
Countess of Kilmartin		Gregory BridgertonHyacinth Bridgerton

Episodes

More information Season, Episodes ...

Season 1 (2020)

For the novel the season is based on, see The Duke and I.
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Season 2 (2022)

For the novel the season is based on, see The Viscount Who Loved Me.
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Season 3 (2024)

For the novel the season is based on, see Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
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Production

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Development

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Bridgerton executive producer Shonda Rhimes

On July 20, 2018, Netflix announced that Shonda Rhimes, through her production company Shondaland, would produce the screen adaptation of the bestselling novels of the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, while Chris Van Dusen would serve as showrunner.[18] Quinn explained on The Tamron Hall Show that when she heard from her agent that Rhimes was interested in adapting her novels, she "almost fell off of [her] stool," and quickly agreed to the offer.[19] Season 1 of the show adapted The Duke and I, the first book of Quinn's series.

Van Dusen said in a Shondaland article: "I think [period shows] are considered a bit traditional and conservative. With Bridgerton, I wanted to take everything I loved about a period show and turn it into something fresh, topical, and relatable."[20]

Before the first season aired, the show was already in pre-production for a second season which was officially announced in January 2021.[21][22] It is focused on Anthony and based on the book The Viscount Who Loved Me.[23][22] On April 13, 2021, creator Van Dusen revealed on Twitter that the series had additionally been renewed for a third and fourth season.[24][25]

Unlike the first two seasons, which followed the order of the book series, the third season focuses on Colin and Penelope,[26] based on Quinn's fourth novel Romancing Mister Bridgerton, rather than Benedict.[27] Jess Brownell replaced Van Dusen as writer and showrunner for the third and fourth seasons.[28][29]

In July 2024, it was confirmed that Benedict Bridgerton would be the lead for Season 4.[30]

In May 2025, Netflix officially announced a dual season renewal of seasons 5 and 6.[31]

Casting

Unlike the series of novels,[32] Bridgerton is set in an alternate history with a racially integrated London where people of color are members of the ton, some with titles granted by the sovereign. Creator Chris Van Dusen was inspired by historical debate over the 1940s African ancestry claims of Queen Charlotte "...to base the show in an alternative history in which Queen Charlotte's mixed race heritage was not only well-established but was transformative for Black people and other people of color in England."[33][34][35][36] Van Dusen says the series is not "color-blind" because "that would imply that color and race were never considered, when color and race are part of the show."[37]

On June 19, 2019, Julie Andrews was cast as Lady Whistledown, whose voice-overs explain much of the series' action.[38] In addition, Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page were cast to play the leads with Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh and Polly Walker co-starring.[39] Luke Thompson, Will Tilston, Florence Hunt, and Ruby Stokes were cast as the remaining four Bridgerton siblings at the end of July. Rounding out the cast were Ben Miller, Bessie Carter, Harriet Cains, Martins Imhangbe, and Lorraine Ashbourne.[40]

On January 21, 2021, it was announced that Jonathan Bailey would be reprising his role as Anthony and would be the center of the show's sophomore season. The following month, Simone Ashley had been cast as Kate.[41] On April 5, 2021, Charithra Chandran joined the cast as Edwina; Rupert Young joined to play a new character;[42] Shelley Conn was cast as Kate's stepmother and Edwina's mother, Mary; and Calam Lynch was cast as Theo Sharpe.[43] On May 28, 2021, Rupert Evans joined the cast as Edmund Bridgerton, the late patriarch of the Bridgerton family.[44]

Page did not return for the second season despite being asked to come back as he only signed a one-year deal and wanted to explore other opportunities outside the show.[45][46]

In April 2022, Bailey and Ashley were confirmed to return for the third season as Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton, exploring their married life and duties as heads of the eponymous family.[47] The following month, Hannah Dodd was cast to replace Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton for the third season. Stokes exited the show due to scheduling conflicts with Lockwood & Co.[48] In August 2022, Chandran reported that she would not reprise her role as Edwina for the season.[49] In July 2022, Daniel Francis, Sam Phillips, and James Phoon were cast in undisclosed capacities for the third season.[50] In October 2022, Hannah New joined the cast as Lady Tilley Arnold.[51] In January 2023, Dynevor confirmed she would not appear in the third season, but remained open to returning "in the future".[12]

In May 2024, Coughlan and Newton were confirmed to be returning for the fourth season.[52] In August 2024, Yerin Ha was cast as Sophie Baek (known as Sophie Beckett in the novel) while Bailey confirmed his return for the fourth season, but that he would be filming for only "a few weeks".[53][54] In September 2024, Katie Leung, Isabella Wei and Michelle Mao joined as Araminta, Rosamund, and Posy, while Hugh Sachs and Emma Naomi have been upgraded to series regulars.[55][56][57] In October 2024, Ashley confirmed that she would be returning for the season,[58] later confirmed to be in an additional cast role as opposed to series regular in the previous two seasons.[59] In January 2025, Dynevor revealed that she had not yet been asked to return for an appearance in the fourth season.[60]

Filming

Principal photography commenced in July 2019 and wrapped in late February 2020.[61] Bridgerton was filmed in London and Bath,[62] as well as at various estates and parks around England. Although the series takes place in London, most street scenes were filmed in Bath, York, and Chatham. The grounds of Wilton House were used for Hyde Park and the grounds of Somerley were used for Hampstead Heath. Garden scenes were filmed at Painshill near Cobham and the Commissioner's House in Chatham.[63]

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Ranger's House is used as the exterior of the Bridgerton family's house in London

Filming locations included Ranger's House in Greenwich (standing in for the Bridgerton House in London exterior); Halton House at RAF Halton (Bridgerton House interior, Featheringtons' interior); Wilton House (Simon's Hastings House, Clyvedon estate interior, St James's Palace throne room); Syon House and Badminton House (Hastings House); Castle Howard (Clyvedon estate); Coneysthorpe (Clyvedon village); Hampton Court Palace and Lancaster House (St. James's Palace); Holburne Museum (Lady Danbury's estate); Hatfield House (Featheringtons' interior); No. 1 Royal Crescent (Grosvenor Square); Queen's House and Somerley (Somerset House); and Dorney Court (coaching inn).[64][65]

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens no longer exists in its entirety. The production team recreated it for Lady Danbury's ball by combining the remaining parts with Castle Howard and Stowe Park. The banqueting room at the Guildhall, Bath was used for another ball as well as the Great Hall at Leigh Court in Somerset.[66]

Anthony Bridgerton and Simon Basset meet in the real-life Reform Club on Pall Mall in central London.[67] The scene in which Lady Featherington takes Marina to the slums was filmed at Chatham Dockyard in Kent. Boxing scenes were also filmed here in addition to Normansfield Theatre in Teddington. Theatre scenes were filmed at the Hackney Empire. A café in Bath, Pickled Greens, was used as the site of the Modiste shop and the Bathrooms at No.5 store on Trim Street became the site of Gunter's Tea Shop.[68]

The costuming was led by Ellen Mirojnick and involved over two hundred people and five months of preparation to create 5,000 costumes.[69]

Production on the second season began in March 2021.[70] In May 2021, it was reported that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead refused permission to build a film set for the second season in Sunninghill Park near Windsor, despite royal approval.[71] On July 15, 2021, production on the second season was paused for 24 hours when a crew member tested positive for COVID-19, but resumed the following day. However, on July 17, production was halted indefinitely following a second positive test.[72] Production resumed in August 2021.[73] Production for the second season wrapped on November 20, 2021.[74]

New filming locations for season 2 included Wrotham Park (standing in for the Bridgertons' country home Aubrey Hall); West Wycombe Park (Aubrey Hall interior and the Crane estate); Wrest Park, Ivinghoe Beacon, and Ashridge (the Orangery and Aubrey Hall grounds); the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club (Royal Ascot); Old Royal Naval College; Windsor Great Park (woods scenes); Goldsmiths' Hall (Buckingham palace throne room); and Wilton's Music Hall (feminist meeting place). The real St James's Church is in the series. The art display at Petworth House was used for the museum scene, with Royal Artillery Barracks used as the exterior. The finale ball was filmed at Basildon Park.[75]

The third season began principal photography in July 2022 and wrapped in March 2023.[76]

New filming locations for Bridgerton in season 3 included Claydon House, Squerryes Court (garden party scenes), Osterley Park (Full Moon Ball),[77] Grimsthorpe Castle (Hawkins residence), Basildon Park (Arnold residence) Blenheim Palace (standing in for Buckingham House) [78] and Woburn Walk (Modiste dress shop) in London.[79]

The fourth season began principal photography on September 16, 2024[80] and wrapped by June 20, 2025.[81]

Music

Further information: Music of Bridgerton

American composer and pianist Kris Bowers composed and arranged the score for the series. Bowers wrote and composed the first season's soundtrack, featuring nineteen songs. Musicians recorded the score remotely from their home studios during the COVID-19 pandemic.[82]

The first season featured orchestral covers of contemporary popular music, which director and executive producer Julie Anne Robinson said was inspired by the use of classic rock songs in the 2001 film A Knight's Tale.[83] Songs featured included Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next", Maroon 5's "Girls Like You", Shawn Mendes's "In My Blood" and Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy", all four of which performed by Vitamin String Quartet. Also included are Celeste's "Strange" performed by Bowers, and Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams" performed by Duomo.[82] Bowers also included modern interpretations of classical music, such as Bach's Cello Suite No. 6 in D major from Peter Gregson's Recomposed by Peter Gregson: Bach – The Cello Suites and Vivaldi's The Four Seasons from Max Richter's Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons.[84] The first season also included JPOLND's "The End" which has a "swingy melody but intense lyrics."[85]

In the second season, covers include Nirvana's "Stay Away" and Robyn's "Dancing On My Own" by Vitamin String Quartet, Madonna's "Material Girl," "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" from the soundtrack of the film of the same name and Calvin Harris' "How Deep Is Your Love" by Bowers. Also included are Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" and Pink's "What About Us" by Duomo, Harry Styles' "Sign of the Times" by Steve Horner, Rihanna's "Diamonds" by Hannah V and Joe Rodwell and Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" by Midnight String Quartet.[86] To promote the show, Morisette appeared in a video performing "You Oughta Know" with Duomo. When discussing the music of season two, music supervisor Justin Kramps explained that "even for these songs that are just huge songs that everyone knows, [an instrumental version] still breathes new life and brings them to a new audience, and in a different way. Pop is where we start, because it fits the style of the show, and it's often using these super-recognizable songs that just add a lot of joy, which is what pop does in general."[87]

In the third season, covers include Gayle's, "abcdefu," by Vitula, BTS' "Dynamite," Sia's "Cheap Thrills," Billie Eilish's "Happier Than Ever," and Coldplay's "Yellow" by Vitamin String Quartet, Nick Jonas' "Jealous," by Shimmer, Taylor Swift's "Snow on the Beach" by Atwood Quartet, Pitbull's "Give Me Everything," Demi Lovato's "Confident", and Ellie Goulding's "Lights (Stripped Down)" by Archer Marsh, Ariana Grande's "POV" by Strings from Paris, Imagine Dragon's "Thunder" by Thomas Mercier, and Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" by Duomo.[88]

During the part 1 premiere in New York City, Tori Kelly performed the first original Bridgerton song,"All I Want," which played over the credits in the eight episode.[88] The cover of "Give Me Everything" went viral on social media.[89]

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Release

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The eight episodes of the first season of Bridgerton began streaming on Netflix on December 25, 2020.[90][91][92]

A preview of a scene from season 2 aired during Netflix's September 2021 Tudum: Extended Talent Panel,[93] which was followed by first look stills.[94] On February 14, 2022, the first teaser trailer for the second season was released.[95] A world premiere was held at Tate Modern on March 22, 2022, in London, England prior to the season's eight episodes being released on March 25, 2022.[96]

Due to a three-month commitment as the lead in the acclaimed West End play Cock, Jonathan Bailey had missed "press, talk shows, FYC events, and even the Met Gala" as part of the show's promotion.[97]

In December 2023, it was announced that the third season will be split into two parts.[98] At a Valentine's Day Event on February 14, 2024, the season's episode titles, exclusive photos and a first look footage were released alongside a panel attended by Rhimes, Brownell, Quinn, and cast members: Coughlan, Newton, Rosheuvel, Andoh, Jessie, Thompson, and Imhangbe.[99]

The trailer for season 3 part 1 was released on April 11, 2024.[100] A world premiere was held in New York City prior to the premiere of part 1 of Season 3.[101] The first part of season 3 premiered on May 16, 2024, with the first four episodes. A world premiere was held in London's Leicester Square prior to the premier of part 2 of Season 3.[102] The second part premiered on June 13, 2024, with the last four episodes.[103]

In May 2025, Netflix officially confirmed season 4 would release sometime in 2026.[31]

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Reception

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Critical response

More information Season, Rotten Tomatoes ...

For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 87% based on 100 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Sumptuous design, soapy drama, and a sterling cast make Bridgerton a delightful treat."[104] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 75 out of 100 based on 34 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[105]

Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series a B+ and wrote, "Bridgerton, it seems, is a wonderful diversion for those who love Pride & Prejudice but wish it had more stairway sex."[110] Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times gave the series four out of four stars and called it "A show that will give you that unmistakable binge twinge and have you activating that "Next Episode" time and again, until there are no more "Next Episodes"."[111] British GQ described Bridgerton as a cross between Downton Abbey and Gossip Girl, but noted that it "may just end up being another disappointment" and "it could have been brilliant."[112] Salamishah Tillet of The New York Times said "Bridgerton provides a blueprint for British period shows in which Black characters can thrive within the melodramatic story lines, extravagant costumes and bucolic beauty [...] without having to be servants or enslaved."[113] Erum Salam of Cosmopolitan wrote "I kept wanting more. I wanted more explanations of how race factored into this society..."[114] Carolyn Hinds from The Observer stated "Bridgerton has been praised as a racially diverse show set in the Regency Era."[115] Vanity Fair's Caroline Framke describes the sex in the series "isn't altogether shocking material for Shondaland to mine for its first drama series absent broadcast restraints."[116]

The first season's 6th episode drew criticism with regard to the non-consensual nature of Simon and Daphne's lovemaking, which amounted to marital rape.[117][118] The episode depicts Daphne, while having sex with Simon, changing her position to be on top, preventing Simon from pulling out of her when he climaxes despite his objections, to prove he could impregnate her but chooses not to.[117] Described as one of the toxic plot points of their relationship, it further drew scrutiny due to the fact that the deceit was never addressed as sexual assault in the series.[119][120] Critics pointed out that it failed to acknowledge the difficulties of male victims of rape and the further fetishization of black men in media.[121][122]

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Pall-mall features as a pastime for the Bridgerton siblings in Season 2

For the second season, Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 78% based on 94 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's critics consensus states, "The risqué thrill may have faded, but Bridgerton remains a compulsive episode-turner in this delightful sophomore season."[106] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 70 out of 100 based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[107][123]

Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series an A− writing, "With a second season that's more clever, moving, and emotionally complex than the first, this period drama... proves that it's not just a titillating trifle."[124] The Hollywood Reporter's Angie Hahn echoed the sentiment describing the season as "older and wiser" than its predecessor's "rampant horniness" with an effective central romance that prioritized "a meeting of minds, played out over quick-witted arguments outside ballrooms and vicious competition during a friendly family game of pall-mall."[125] Peter Travers of ABC praised the season writing, "Kudos to season two for digging deeper into the emotional lives of its characters and continuing the colorblind casting that creates a utopia in which diversity is so ingrained it's hardly worth a mention."[126]

Alison Herman of The Ringer commented that Season 1 is "sexy without quite being erotic" while "Season 2 is the reverse. There's not a lot of sex, but in the crackling chemistry and relentless self-denial that defines Anthony and Kate's dynamic, there's plenty of eroticism."[127] Emma Clarke of The Independent argued that, "it is precisely the lack of physicality that makes this season (of the show and of courtship) so... well, sexy."[128] Scott Bryan of the BBC wrote that the season serves as antidote to the "always static, laboured and slow" period dramas, adding that it comes with "real energy, it feels so modern (even though it is set in the past) and even though it feels extravagant, it doesn't feel too highbrow. It is refreshingly accessible."[129]

Kevin Fallon of The Daily Beast elaborating on Bailey's "exquisite lead performance," wrote that "he has an exceptional ability to carry his angst, pain, and guilt with him without bogging down things into a somber drag."[130] The Telegraph' s Anita Singh wrote that Bailey "brings more soul to the role of Lord Bridgerton than Page ever did with the Duke,"[131] with Randy Myers of Mercury News adding that Bailey "has a gift at comedic timing."[132] Proma Khosla of Mashable concluded that with "Bailey and Ashley, Bridgerton Season 2 strikes gold" as they deliver "heaping, smoldering helpings of sexual tension" for "their chemistry is nothing short of explosive."[133]

For the third season, Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 87% based on 76 reviews, with an average rating of 7.0/10. The website's critics consensus states, "The hot goss in London remains juicy as ever in Bridgerton's third season, which benefits tremendously from Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton's endearing chemistry."[108] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 69 out of 100 based on 26 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[109]

Aramide Tinubu of Variety praised Coughlan and Newton's chemistry noting that while they have always had a "beautiful rapport," "there is something about seeing the bond between Colin and Penelope transform from comfortably platonic to yearning and passionate that elevates this journey."[134] Tinubu also found part 2 of Season 3 "as a gem in the franchise."[135] David Opie of Empire praised part 2's mirror scene as "the most beautiful sex scene this show has ever depicted" and featuring "some of the finest acting seen in Bridgerton yet."[136] Further, Opie found that "Season 3 ends with the show's strongest episodes yet" and that Bridgerton has cemented itself as "the rare Netflix success story that's just as well made as it is widely watched."[136]

Rachel Aroesti of The Guardian credited Bridgerton Season 3 of benefiting from having two seasons under it belt in portraying the most "captivating courtship yet," and praised the dynamic between Colin and Penelope, partly attributing it to Coughlan's "sensational" acting.[137] Alyssa Mora of IGN describes Coughlan and Newton's chemistry as "undeniable," and Coughlan's talent as "manag[ing] to take center stage."[138]

Katie Rosseinsky of The Independent called Coughlan "the true diamond of the season," and praised her powerhouse performance alongside Jessie.[139] Carly Lane of Collider also called Coughlan as the "true diamond" of the season.[140] Judy Berman of Time praised Coughlan's Penelope as the "series’ most compelling protagonist to date," and Coughlan for the "vividness and sensitivity" in which she portrayed Penelope's transformation.[141] Kelly Lawler of USA Today found that Season 3 made Coughlan "a bona fide star."[142]

Keisha Hatchett of TVLine had praise for both leads, naming Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton "Performers of the Week" after part 2 of Season 3.[143] Of the season 3 finale, she noted that Newton "beautifully captured" Colin's "flurry of emotions" "with smart choices" and praised Newton's delivery of Colin's final love declaration of the season as "exuding the irresistible charm we’ve come to love about our male Bridgerton leads."[143]

Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter noted that "while the latest chapter faithfully delivers on everything we’ve come to expect from this world [...] it’s also the first in which the formula feels more familiar than thrilling."[144] Kathryn VanArendonk of Vulture noted that Season 3 continued an issue in previous seasons of "not [being able to] live up to the complexities of its own emotional stakes in the back half," but that "Bridgerton remains too much fun to consider breaking up with anytime soon."[145] Lauren Sarner of The New York Post also found that the show "remains addictively watchable."[146]

News publications,[147][148][149] charities, disabled influencers and fans picked-up on the incidental disability portrayal in the first half of Season 3.[150]

Audience viewership

On January 27, 2021, Netflix announced that 82 million households have watched at least two minutes of the season amounting to 625 million hours viewed. It was the most-watched original series launch on the service at the time of its premiere,[151][152][153] prior to being surpassed by Squid Game in October 2021.[154] Caroline Framke of Variety attributed this huge viewership to "the perfect storm of a perfectly timed premiere (Christmas Day of 2020), providing silly and sexy entertainment after the first terrible year of COVID."[155][156]

Season 2 premiered on March 25, 2022, and debuted number one in 92 countries on the platform. It was also the most viewed show on United States television screens for three weeks per Nielsen Media Research.[123] Season 2 amassed 193 million viewing hours in its opening weekend, the highest opening for any English-language Netflix series at the time.[157] It also broke the record for most viewed English-language series in a single week at that time, with 251.74 million viewing hours from March 28 to April 3. The first season also re-entered Netflix's top ten in second place.[158] By April 19, Bridgerton's second season had overtaken its predecessor as the most watched English-language television series on Netflix at the time with 627.11 million hours viewed since its March 25, 2022, launch.[159] This viewing numbers went up to 656.16 million by the 28-day mark.[160]

Nielsen Media Research, analyzing the 2.55 billion minutes viewed on United States television screens in the first three days of season 2's availability (double all others across streamers for the week of March 21), characterized Bridgerton's audience as "diverse and broad". The firm found one third of viewers to be Hispanic or African American and an even split in popularity across the 18–34, 35–49, and 50–64 age groups at 25% each. The only exception was gender parity, with 76% of the audience reported to be female.[161][162] It added 3.2 billion minutes viewed in its second week on top of the chart.[163] It topped the chart for a third week with 1.6 billion minutes viewed.[164]

In 2023, between seasons 2 and 3, Netflix rolled out a new, different method of counting viewership, which is to divide the number of hours watched by a show's runtime. The platform also expanded the measurement window from 28 days to 91 days.[165] Under this new method of measurement, season 3 part 1, which had 220 minutes of runtime, received 45.05 million views in its first week,[166] and then 25.3 million views in its second week,[167] 11.6 million in its third,[168] and 6.9 million in its fourth. After season 3 part 2 debuted (based on 480 minutes of runtime), the overall season received 28 million views that debut week,[169] 16.5 million views the following week,[170] 6.6 million views the third week, and 4 million the fourth.[171]

Season 3 part 1 recorded the show's biggest opening weekend to date with 165.2 million views (on 220 minutes of runtime).[172] At the time, Season 3 also recorded the highest single weekly view count for any Netflix series, regardless of language, since Netflix started the list in June 2023.[172] On July 2, 2024, Season 3 became Netflix’s tenth biggest English-language series ever with 91.9 Million views so far.[173] As of January 1, 2025, Season 3 was sixth in Netflix's top-10 all time list, for any language, with 846.5 million hours viewed/106 million views.[174]

Season 3 became the second most watched series on Netflix during the first half of 2024, with 92 million views.[175] Season 3 has the second-highest viewing figures for streaming in 2024, with 11 billion minutes of watch time.[176] According to Nielsen, Bridgerton was the most-streamed original series of 2024 with 21.42 billion minutes viewed, with Season 3 accounting for 56% of those views.[177][178]

Accolades

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Cultural impact

Fashion and interior design trends influenced or made popular by the series have been dubbed "Regencycore" or "the Bridgerton effect."[221] Lyst reported an increase in searches for items such as corsets, headpieces, and elbow-length gloves after the series' premiere. The series' female leads, Daphne and Kate, were also linked to a popularity in the colors sky blue and lilac respectively.[222][223] In 2021, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear wrote a concept album based on characters and situations in season 1 of the series titled The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, which won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.[224][225] After the two presented the songs from the album live in concert at the Kennedy Center in July 2022,[226] Netflix sued them for copyright infringement.[227]

To ring in the second season, an official "Queen's Ball" was held in Washington DC, Chicago, Montréal, and Los Angeles,[228] with similar events and experiences taking place in London and Johannesburg.[229][230] Bloomingdale's put together a Bridgerton-themed pop-up collection and tea bar, displaying real costumes from the series in the U.S. for the first time in its 59th Street windows.[231]

After season two featured the main characters playing pall-mall, a lawn game considered to be the precursor to croquet, retailer John Lewis reported a 90% rise in sales for croquet sets.[232] There was also a notable increase in internet searches and purchases of tiaras and corsets after season two's premiere.[233][234]

Stately homes around England saw an uptick in interest and visitors. Regarding Ranger's House, Chris Small of English Heritage said, "Since the launch of Bridgerton in 2020 we have seen many people who were previously unaware of the site inspired to visit."[235] Walking tours of the filming locations of the series have also been created, including an official one by Netflix.[236][237] Castle Howard opened an exhibition titled Castle Howard on Screen: From Brideshead to Bridgerton in May 2022.[238]

The 33rd season finale episode of The Simpsons on May 22, 2022, featured Marge and her friends watching a period drama called "Tunnelton" with a Lady Whistledown-sounding narrator,[239] and a character emerging drenched from a lake, like Anthony in the fifth episode of the second season.[240][241] The creators behind Rogue, the sixth episode of the 2024 season of Doctor Who, took great inspiration from Bridgerton as the episode revolves around intrigue and romance at an English country party in 1813, with the show being directly referenced by main character Ruby Sunday.[242][243][244]

Netflix tripled its brand partnerships for season 3, and the Queen's Ball expanded to a dozen cities in addition to an afternoon tea event at the Lanesborough in London. The Wrap called Bridgerton fans a "ripe testing group" for this international merchandising and live-experience strategy from Netflix, comparing it to the likes of Disney and Universal franchises.[245]

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Historical inaccuracies

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A portrait of Queen Charlotte, painted by Thomas Gainsborough

Chris Van Dusen has said that the show "is a reimagined world, we're not a history lesson, it's not a documentary. What we're really doing with the show is marrying history and fantasy in what I think is a very exciting way. One approach that we took to that is our approach to race."[246] Though Bridgerton takes place during the Regency era, Van Dusen notes that it ultimately is "not a history lesson."[247] The Bridgerton family, Lady Whistledown, and most of the other characters in the show are fictional.[248][249][246]

The theory that Queen Charlotte may have had African ancestry has been called an unhistorical assertion by most scholars.[250][251][252] In an interview with Insider magazine, American historian Marlene Koenig said the show's representation of Regency-era London was more diverse than it was in reality, adding that "diversity as we know what the word means did not exist" in Britain during that period.[252] Some classical music pieces used in the first season were composed later than 1813, the year of the first season. Examples include Dmitri Shostakovich's Suite for Variety Orchestra, which was written sometime after 1956, and "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour" from Jacques Offenbach's 1881 opera The Tales of Hoffmann.[84]

Historians have pointed out inaccuracies in clothing, such as the show using corsets to represent the oppression placed on women in society instead of supportive undergarments they were considered as in the Regency era.[253] In a scene from season 1, Daphne is seen with bruises on her back from the corset; however, at the time it was common to wear a chemise under it to prevent this.[254] Fabrics and patterns appearing in the show are too modern compared to the ones used in the historical period in which the events are supposed to take place.[255] Other historical inaccuracies include the lack of bonnets present within the show and the contemporary styles of the fabrics and colors. However, a majority of the show's historical inaccuracies regarding clothing are intentional. The show does not reflect an accurate portrayal of the Regency era but rather a world that "borders on historical fantasy."[256] The show depicts a dramatization of the Regency era, where the show is "rooted in Regency times but the volume is turned up."[256]

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Themes

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Gender

A recurring topic throughout the show is gender, especially the role of women in British high society. Chris Van Dusen aimed for the show to have a "running, modern commentary about how, over the last 200 years, everything has changed and nothing has changed, for both women and men."[257]

With the focus on each year's social season, Daphne, Kate, and the other women struggle against the societal expectations held for them. Daphne Bridgerton, the Queen's Diamond of her season, fights to maintain her high reputation in society and avoid ruin while still marrying for love. Kate Sharma, considered "too old" for marrying, attempts to regain her family's place in high society as she tries to set her sister, Edwina, up to marry well. Eloise Bridgerton, uninterested in marrying and wanting to pursue a more meaningful life, finds herself more politically involved.[citation needed]

The men, on the other hand, often face lower stakes to their reputations. After overhearing Anthony say that he desires a more agreeable wife, Kate confronts him on his viewpoints toward women and argues that Anthony's high standards for women do not match the standards he has for himself.[258]

Race

A notable, modernized twist on the show is the diverse cast of characters. Straying from the source novels, Van Dusen "used Queen Charlotte as a centerpiece to weave racial equality in the show."[257] With Queen Charlotte cast as a Black woman, Van Dusen explains, "Could she have used her power to elevate other people of color in society? Could she have given them titles and lands and dukedoms?"[259]

When Simon Basset rejects the idea of pursuing Daphne Bridgerton, Lady Danbury explains that love conquers all, using Queen Charlotte and King George as an example of how their marriage had changed society.[260] However, Simon also counters that, even though Queen Charlotte is currently in power, "Black progress is fragile and dependent on the whims of whichever white king is in charge."[259]

Literature

Bridgerton also explores "power of the written word," with authors such as Lady Whistledown having immense influence over the social season with her Society Papers. Similar to how media can strongly sway public opinion, Van Dusen makes the statement that "social media is kind of like a modern-day corset."[257]

Throughout the show, Lady Whistledown releases Society Papers that comment on notable figures during the social season, whether it be praising them or airing out their secrets. The pamphlets' influence is enough to sway even Queen Charlotte herself, who seeks to find the author of the Society Papers in order to shut them down.[261]

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Prequel miniseries

Main article: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

In May 2021, Netflix ordered a limited prequel series from Shondaland to focus on young Queen Charlotte, a character who does not appear in the Bridgerton novels. Rhimes wrote the spin-off and served as executive producer alongside Betsy Beers and Tom Verica.[28]

Rosheuvel, Andoh, Gemmell, and Fleet reprise their roles, while India Amarteifio, Michelle Fairley, Corey Mylchreest, and Arsema Thomas were cast,[262] together with Connie Jenkins-Greig, who plays young Violet.[263] A novelization of the series written by Rhimes and Quinn was released by Avon Books in 2023.[264]

In April 2022, production designer Dave Arrowsmith was fired from the series following allegations of abusive behavior and bullying on set.[265][266] In September 2022, Netflix announced that Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story would be the title for the series and released the first look.[267]

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Notes

  1. There have been real claims that Queen Charlotte had partial African ancestry, dating back to the 1920s. Although popular among the general public, the claims are rejected by most scholars.[1][2][3][4][5]
  2. In season 1, Andoh does not appear and is not credited in the sixth episode.
  3. Ashbourne is credited as a series regular in the episodes which she appears in.
  4. In season 3, Bailey is credited as a series regular in the first, fifth and seventh episodes.
  5. Bartlett is credited as a series regular in the first, third, fourth, seventh and eighth episodes.
  6. In season 2, Cains is credited as a series regular in the first, second and eighth episodes.
  7. In season 2, Dynevor is credited as a series regular in the first, third, fourth, sixth and eighth episodes.
  8. In season 2, Newton does not appear and is credited as a series regular in the first episode.
  9. Rosheuvel is credited as a series regular in the episodes where she appears.
  10. In season 3, Ashley is credited as a series regular in the first, fifth and seventh episodes.
  11. Imhangbe is credited as a series regular in the episodes where he appears.
  12. Lynch is credited as a series regular in the episodes where he appears.
  13. Alli does not appear and is not credited as a series regular in the second episode. He is also does not appear in the first episode but is credited.
  14. Coleman is credited as a series regular in the episodes in which he appears.
  15. Francis does not appear and is not credited as a series regular in the second episode. He does not appear in the first episode but is credited.
  16. New does not appear and is not credited as a series regular in the second episode. She does not appear in the first episode but is credited.
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References

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