Fans of Netflix’s Regency-era drama Bridgerton, are no doubt clutching their pearls in glee at the news that the Shonda Rhimes-produced series is officially returning for a second season.
The news was announced on Bridgerton’s official Instagram account with one of Lady Whistledown’s society papers which reads, in part, “Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season. I do hope you have stored a bottle of Ratafia for this most delightful occasion.”
The first season of the show, which stars Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton, was an unbridled success with viewers delighting in the decadent costumes and simmering sex scenes.
Adapted from the first novel in Julia Quinn’s hugely popular series, season one follows Daphne, the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family, as she enters Regency London’s competitive marriage market.
Hoping to follow in her parents’ footsteps and find a match sparked by true love, Daphne’s prospects initially seem to be unrivalled. But as her older brother begins to rule out her potential suitors, the high society scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews) casts aspersions on Daphne.
When Daphne meets the elusive Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), their attraction is undeniable and sparks fly as they find themselves engaged in an increasing battle of wits while navigating society’s expectations for their future.
Season two will follow suit, taking its cues from Quinn’s second written instalment: The Viscount Who Loved Me. The next book in the series shifts its focus away from Daphne to her eldest brother, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) who decides to marry, setting his sights on the young Edwina Sheffield (Charithra Chandran) to become his wife. Naturally, things get complicated for Anthony when Edwina’s sister, Kate (Simone Ashley) attempts to thwart the marriage with the two developing a spark of their own.
Season one cast members, including Dynevor, will return for the second along with the recently announced Charithra Chandran, Shelley Conn, Calam Lynch and Rupert Young. It was previously announced that Sex Education star Simone Ashley will play the role of Kate Sharma.
Unfortunately, fans of the steamy series will have to do without seeing breakout star Regé-Jean Page in the role of Simon Basset, as his character arc was only ever intended for one season.
In an announcement from Lady Whistledown herself, the regency rag trader wrote, “We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family.
“Daphne will remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season and what it has to offer – more intrigue and romance than my readers may be able to bear.”
For Page, the fact that playing Simon Basset was a short-term commitment was a huge drawcard, as the actor explained to Variety.
“One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes,” he explains. “They come in knowing that, so you can tie people in emotional knots because they have that reassurance that we’re going to come out and we’re going to have the marriage and the baby.”
Filming on the second season is scheduled to commence in April 2021, after being slightly delayed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Dynevor has previously told Deadline about her excitement at the possibility of more Bridgerton, and her wariness of the practicalities of shooting in a pandemic. “I can’t imagine how it would be possible to film under these circumstances… There are so many extras and so many crew members, and it’s a very intimate show,” Dynevor said. “It just baffles how we would film it under COVID rules unless there was a vaccine beforehand.”
According to showrunner Chris Van Dusen, the plan is to keep Bridgerton running for as long as it takes to cover each of the Bridgerton children’s stories.
The executive producer previously told Collider, “I feel like the first season was primarily about Daphne and her love story with Simon. But, this being a family of eight children and there being eight books, I would love to be able to focus and really tell stories and love stories for all the Bridgerton siblings. For each character, for sure.”
I think it’s safe to say that Bridgerton fans would be just fine with that plan.
There is no word, as yet, on when Bridgerton season two will be available to watch on Netflix, but we are sure Lady Whistledown will keep us in the loop as soon as more information becomes available.
In the meantime, you can fill the void Bridgerton left in your heart by listening to the audiobook Bridgerton: The Duke & I by Julia Quinn on Audible.