Synopsis & Information
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Bridgerton is a period drama set in the sexy, lavish and competitive world of Regency London high society. From the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair to the aristocratic palaces of Park Lane and beyond, the series unveils a seductive, sumptuous world replete with intricate rules and dramatic power struggles, where no one is truly ever on steady ground. At the heart of the show is the powerful Bridgerton family. Comprised of eight close-knit siblings, this funny, witty, daring, and clever group must navigate the upper ten thousand’s marriage mart in search of romance, adventure and love.

Based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling series of novels, this Netflix original is created by Chris Van Dusen, who also serves as executive producer along with Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. The series premiered December 25, 2020.

From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen, Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on the romance novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth, as they search for love during the social season and navigate life in Regency-era England.

The first table read took place on July 22, 2019 with filming starting on July 28, 2019. Filming took place in London, where production started, and other towns in the United Kingdom, like Bath, Somerseth.

The last table read for the season took place on October 21, 2019.

Commenting on the tone of the series, creator Chris Van Dusen shared, “I wanted to infuse everything with my own unique, modern lens. The tone is very spirited and daring. Everything’s fresh and youthful. There’s a little effervescence to everything.” That freshness manifests in the score, featuring classical string arrangements of contemporary pop songs (such as Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” or Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood”), as well the costumes, with the show being described as taking place in a “bonnet-free world.” Van Dusen further added that Bridgerton is not going to be so different from the experience of reading a romance novel. “It’s sexy and a little dangerous and fun. It leaves you a little hot and bothered and breathless,” he concluded.

Most poignant, however, is the casting. Contrary to most other period pieces, this series looks like any ShondaLand show; multi-hued and reflective of the world we live in. The casting is a far cry from the source material, though writer Julia Quinn fully endorses the casting choices, stating that the show is for “a modern audience; it isn’t a history lesson.” As such, people of color are cast in roles of characters that hold more power than would normally be expected for people of color based on historical assumptions. EP Betsy Beers stated, “It’s not color-blind casting. We try to imagine history and the world in the way we wanted to see it.” Added lead actor Regé-Jean Page: “With color-conscious casting, I get to exist as a Black person in the world. It doesn’t mean I’m a slave. It doesn’t mean we have to focus on trauma. It just means we get to focus on Black joy and humanity.”

Also a notable difference with other period dramas is the way the show deals with intimacy. The show aims to defy the expectations of period dramas by placing sexiness and steaminess at its core, pivotal to the education of Daphne Bridgerton. The series employed an intimacy coordinator to intricately choreograph the sex scenes. Phoebe Dynevor stated: “It’s not often you see sex [treated] in that way. It wasn’t gratuitous. It was so essential in Daphne’s journey and sexual awakening. I love the fact that it is very much the female gaze.”

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton
Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Basset
Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton
Ruby Strokes as Francesca Bridgerton
Hannah Dodd as Francesca Stirling
Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton
Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton
Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton
Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset
Simone Ashley as Lady Kate Bridgerton
Victor Alli as John Stirling
Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury
Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley
Joanna Bobin as Lady Araminta Cowper
Harriet Cains as Philippa Finch
Bessie Carter as Prudence Dankworth
Dominic Coleman as Lord Cowper
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton
Daniel Francis as Marcus Anderson
Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich
Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper
Hannah New as Lady Tilley Arnold
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
Polly Walker as Portia Featherington
Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown
Ruby Barker as Lady Marina Crane
Sabrina Bartlett as Siena Rosso
Ben Miller as Lord Archibald Featherington
Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma
Shelley Conn as Lady Mary Sharma
Calam Lynch as Theo Sharpe
Rupert Young as Jack Featherington