Taking Netflix by storm at the end of 2020, Bridgerton is now set to expand its universe with a young Queen Charlotte prequel series - but there are other characters from the period drama who deserve their own spinoff. Netflix and Shondaland announced plans for the Queen Charlotte series shortly after Bridgerton was also renewed for seasons 3 and 4. Filming for the second season is finally underway.
Following Julia Quinn's book series, Bridgerton focuses on the lives of eight siblings in an aristocratic family during London's Regency period. Season 1 unveiled the story of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) as she debuted in society and fell in love with the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page). Season 2 will follow Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and his enemies-to-lovers relationship with a new Bridgerton character named Kate. Presumably, the upcoming seasons will coincide with the rest of Quinn's novels, with each season being about one sibling.
As if there wasn't enough to keep straight between eight different siblings, the world of Bridgerton also includes various characters who have some relationship to the family. From friends to love interests to social-climbing competitors, there are many others who have an interesting story to tell. Here are the Bridgerton characters apart from the titular family who each deserve their own spinoff series.
Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings
Regé-Jean Page wowed audiences as the mysterious Duke of Hastings who marries Daphne in season 1. Though it was disappointing to hear that Page wouldn't be reprising his role as Simon in Bridgerton season 2, it makes sense considering the series' plan to focus on one Bridgerton sibling per season. However, all the flashbacks to Simon's troubled childhood and his brief transition into fatherhood at the end of the season would lend well to a spinoff series for the character. The problem is that Page's contract was for just one season, and it appears as though the actor doesn't have a strong desire to return to the franchise. If producers could convince him to return, or somehow find an equally worthy casting choice, a Simon spinoff series is a must.
Penelope Featherington
Bridgerton surprised fans at the end of season 1 by revealing that Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) is Lady Whistledown – a discovery that was equally as surprising for readers of Quinn's novels since the reveal didn't happen until much later in the series. Penelope will be a prominent character in season 4 assuming the show follows the plotline between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope as in Romancing Mister Bridgerton, the fourth novel. But the character behind the franchise's biggest mystery certainly calls for an in-depth spinoff series. Netflix could explore her coming-of-age in an unpredictable family as well as her journey to becoming the elusive gossip columnist and how she manages to pull it off. Those who paid attention likely noticed Penelope Featherington in the background of several key scenes in season 1, but bringing her perspective to the foreground in a new series would make for an intriguing story.
Marina Thompson
In the Bridgerton novels, the lead family has a distant relative who doesn't appear until To Sir Phillip, With Love, the fifth book in the series. This is different in the Netflix show, as Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker) is introduced as a cousin to the Featherington family who is sent to pay a debt and hopefully debut in society. Marina discovers she is pregnant during season 1 and tells Penelope of her romance with George, the baby's father. When George is killed while fighting in the war, Marina ends up accepting his brother's proposal. The love story between Marina and George and her new life with Phillip would be another successful series in the Bridgerton franchise, which thrives on romance and scandal.