Commentary: What we know about season two of “Bridgerton”

Commentary: Bridgerton: Things we know about season two

All the gossip, scandal and romance of the Regency Era is back with season two of the Netflix hit
Published: March 21, 2022

After two long years, the highly anticipated second season of Bridgerton is here. Becoming the most-watched series on Netflix at the time of its premiere and enrapturing over 80 million households, season two has big shoes to fill. Thankfully, season one left its audience with a plethora of unanswered questions and cliffhangers to pick up on as the show continues to adapt to the original novels. Here is a list of answers to four big questions we have heading into season two, which drops March 25: 

Bridgerton. (L to R) Phoebe Dyvenor as Daphne Basset, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in episode 203 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2022
(L to R) Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Basset and Jonathan Bailey as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in season two of "Bridgerton."

1. What will it be about? 

The second season is likely to follow the second novel in the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, The Viscount Who Loved Me, as the first season loosely followed the first novel, The Duke And I. This sequel and new season two trailer dive deeper into the life of Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), focusing on aspects of his social life and quest for love that weren’t covered in season one. 

2. Will it be accurate to what we know from the novels?

The novel series includes eight books, each focusing on the romantic life of a different sibling in the Bridgerton family. So, we can assume the show has a lot more story to tell. While developments of books often go off script—Bridgerton did add new characters who were not in the original story—it is still expected to have the same focus on Anthony Bridgerton while other characters might shift and change. Bridgerton creator, Chris Van Dusen, even hinted at the potential of more seasons to develop the stories of each sibling. In an interview with Collider after the show’s initial season, Van Dusen said, “I think it’s a deep well of story for us to explore.”

Bridgerton. (L to R) Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma, Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Shelley Conn as Mary Sharma, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in episode 207 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2022
(L to R) Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma, Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Shelley Conn as Mary Sharma, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in season two of "Bridgerton."

3. What characters are leaving the show?

Sadly, there is one thing we know for sure. Actor Regé-Jean Page — better known as the Duke — will not be back, confirming his official departure from the Bridgerton cast. But, while some might think he left the show for a particular reason, Us Magazine confirms it is due to the fact that the following novels do not focus as much on the Duke, leaving Page to sign on for one season. 

4. Will there be new characters in trade?

Yes. From the novel, we know another big family steps onto the stage this season, the Sharma family. In the show’s focus on Anthony, we see him dancing with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), a strong woman whose only interest in being part of courting is for her younger sister, Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran). Rounding out the family will be Shelley Conn as Lady Mary Sharma, but the Sharma family isn’t the only gaggle of new characters being introduced in Season 2. Netflix has also confirmed Rupert Young will play Jack, a new character not previously seen in the novels.

The second season of Bridgerton drops Friday, March 25.

Penelope and Eloise in Bridgerton season 2
(L to R) Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton in season two of "Bridgerton."