Bridgerton finally debuted its long-awaited second season last Friday, and fans immediately jumped at it. After all, the show's sophomore effort follows the fan-favorite story of Anthony and Kate, AKA Kanthony, arguably the most beloved couple for fans of the Bridgerton book series.
While season 2's focus was firmly on Kate and Anthony, several characters received considerable attention, perhaps too much, leading fans to wish they had been featured less. On the other hand, a few interesting characters got the short end of the stick, but hopefully, they'll have more to do in season 3.
Too Much Screentime
Prudence Featherington
The Featheringtons main role in the show is to be scheming and annoying. Prudence excels at the latter but fails miserably at the former, turning her into a tiresome, one-note character. It doesn't help that she spends her entire time surrounded by infinitely more interesting characters, including her mother, cousin, and younger sister.
With Philippa already married, it's time to find Prudence another situation and take her out of the equation. Season 2 proved there's not much meat to her, so season 3 should use whatever time she has and spend it on other, worthier figures.
Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte is mostly an entertaining character that provides witty and sharp comments about the show's many romantic entanglements. Still, her shtick grows uninteresting after a while, especially when Bridgerton presents her as vapid and easily outsmarted by a sixteen-year-old with a quill.
There's a ton of potential with Queen Charlotte, one of the show's few real-life figures. However, should Bridgerton insist on having her act like a high-schooler obsessed with the latest gossip rather than a prominent player in London's match-making game, it might be best to limit her appearances in season 3.
Colin Bridgerton
Sweet but inconsequent, Colin Bridgerton might be the single most boring character in Bridgerton. Season 1 had him easily manipulated by Marina, who he still pines for in season 2. By the time he visits her and tries to reminisce about their doomed engagement, even she gets tired of his schoolboy notions of love.
Compared to the high-stakes romance at the center of every season, Colin's storylines seem all the more unnecessary. Season 3 should limit his appearances to the minimum, allowing fans to miss him before he inevitably takes the stage in season 4.
Eloise Bridgerton
A highlight of season 1, Eloise was Bridgerton's resident feminist icon, a non-conformist young woman challenging Regency London's social rules. However, Eloise isn't as fresh or clever in the show's second season, and at times, she even seems out of place.
Eloise remains sympathetic and interesting, but her storylines are erratic at best. The show refuses to go all-in on the equal rights plot and takes a wholly unnecessary detour by introducing a bland love interest to which it doesn't fully commit, surely out of fear of alienating book fans who expect to see Eloise with Sir Phillip Crane. After a stellar season 1 and a disappointing season 2, perhaps it's time to place Eloise in the backseat for season 3.
Deserve More In Season Three
King George III
George III was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1760 until their union in 1801, thus becoming King of the United Kingdom. His reign, which lasted until he died in 1820, was marked by numerous military conflicts, including losing the UK's American colonies during the American War of Independence and the war against Napoleonic France.
Furthermore, George dealt with mental illness during his late life, the so-called "madness of King George." In one of the most poignant scenes from season 2, Bridgerton briefly addresses the king's mental health without going any deeper. Considering he is a real-life person with a fascinating story, the show could address it, especially since recent projects like Hamilton reduced him to near caricature.
Will Mondrich
Will was one of the most compelling characters from Bridgerton season 1, a boxer who enters into a shady arrangement with Baron Featherington to secure a future for his family. Returning in season 2, Will now has his own club but is struggling to secure the wealthy clientele he's pursuing.
Despite becoming a regular character in season 2, Will hardly has anything to do, appearing sporadically to shed light on the new Baron Featherington's schemes. Season 3 needs to bring him back and give him a real role other than just standing in an empty bar looking disappointed.
Daphne Bridgerton
Daphne was Bridgerton's de-facto lead throughout season 1, the diamond of her season. Her romance with the Duke was engaging, but she takes a backseat in season 2 in favor of Anthony and Kate's story.
Thanks to her wit and observational schemes, Daphne is one of the cleverest characters in the show. She correctly guesses Anthony's feelings for Kate and spends the entire season trying to reason with him. Daphne Bridgerton can be somewhat infuriating, but she's also one of the show's most intriguing and intelligent characters, so she might prove useful next season, especially considering how clueless and passive Benedict seems to be.
Portia, Baroness Featherington
Baroness Featherington was one of the most frustrating characters in Bridgerton season 1. She remains challenging and antagonistic in season 2, but the show effectively uses her to create some conflict away from the Bridgerton family's already convoluted lives.
The result is a far more compelling and entertaining version of Portia that even earns the audience's sympathy by the season's end. Season 3 needs to keep using her as a contrarian figure to the more traditional Bridgertons, although it would also be very intriguing to see her react to Penelope's Whistledown hustle.
Penelope Featherington
Lady Whsitledown herself is arguably the show's most intriguing and compelling character outside of the season's titular couple. Her alter-ego, Penelope, the seemingly sweet and unassuming youngest daughter of the Featherington family, is equally interesting, and it's time the show pays her the attention she deserves.
So far, Penelope's whole shtick is to pine for the vanilla Colin Bridgerton and serve as Eloise's confidant, but there's so much more to her than meets the eye. Season 2 goes deeper into how Penelope runs her Whistledown scheme, but it's not enough. Season 3 should focus more on her ambitions and identity outside Whistledown; she's proven herself a capable writer, maybe she could pursue a career in literature? It's time for Penelope to take the spotlight; the show would be much better for it.
Benedict Bridgerton
In all honesty, Benedict Bridgerton is far from being the best character in Bridgerton. His storyline is sometimes tedious and his characterization somewhat inconsistent; season 1 presented him as a sweet and supportive young man before season 2 turned him into a charming libertine.
The third book in Julia Quinn's series, An Offer from a Gentleman, focuses on Benedict's relationship with new character Sophie, a Cinderella-like figure who literally runs away from a ball. Season 3 should thus focus on Benedict, and the extra screentime might help flesh out his character. Unlike Daphne or Anthony, Benedict remains two-dimensional, and if he's to graduate to the lead storyline, he needs more substance than the show has previously allowed him.