No matter the time or place, people will always be interested in gossip. Whether it's about a close acquaintance or a famous person, gossip has an almost irresistible quality to it, a morbid interest that captures the attention and refuses to let go. Bridgerton and Gossip Girl have more than a few things in common, and gossip is at the heart of both stories.
High society enjoys it more than they should, and they spread it as a hobby. The characters in both shows deal with an anonymous figure who knows everything about them and while some adore the spotlight, others loathe it. At the end of the day, though, all these characters share a similar situation despite living in completely different times, reminding fans that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Colin Bridgerton - Eric Van Der Woodsen
Colin and Eric aren't really interested in the schemes and dramas of their respective worlds. They pretty much stay on the sideline, by choice. Whenever they are dragged to their relatives' dramas, they do their best to avoid escalation and simply deal with the hand they've been dealt.
They're both young, inexperienced, somewhat naive, and easy to take advantage of. Neither is the best at playing the gossip game, which is why they usually don't. And though they both have a promising future ahead, they're down to earth and never brag about their abilities.
Queen Charlotte - CeCe Rhodes
Both powerful and wealthy women with a lot of free time in their hands and a tendency for the dramatic, Queen Charlotte and CeCe Rhodes are both masters at the game. They pretty much enjoy provoking chaos and sit back to watch it unfold without really caring about the consequences.
They're not precisely evil per se, they simply like things done their way and go to great lengths to ensure it. They both show kindness at different times in their respective shows, but that never prevents them from going back to their more scheming and mischievous ways.
Portia, Baroness Featherington - Lily Van Der Woodsen
Unlike the Queen and CeCe, Portia and Lily are quite Machiavellian. They're both deeply concerned with appearances and will do everything in their power to keep them intact. They're not above lying or cheating, and society's opinion will always have a huge say in their decision-making.
They're both loving mothers who do care about their children's well-being. Their way of showing that, however, is almost always wrong, and their own selfishness prevents them from actually listening to their offspring, thinking they always know what's better.
Benedict Bridgerton - Nate Archibald
Benedict and Nate are very similar. They were both born into great wealth but aren't really interested in following on their family's path. Immature and slightly libertine yet still supportive and understanding, Benedict and Nate have all the makings of great men, they just aren't necessarily interested in becoming them.
They both have a weaker grasp on who they are and what they want to be but have all the time and resources in the world to discover it. They're both very conventionally attractive, which means they have more than their fair share of affairs, yet it seems they're both on the look for something real and meaningful.
Penelope Featherington - Jenny Humphrey
Although sweet and innocent at first sight, Penelope and Jenny soon reveal a darker, more reckless side to them. Neither is happy with their initial situation and go out of their way to change it, even going so far as to lie and betray those closest to them,
Neither is wicked and their actions are driven by their desire to evolve, not out of cruelty or boredom. However, it's undeniable that they're both unreliable and feeble, partly because of their young age and immaturity and partly because they have a lot of power that they don't always know what to do with.
Eloise Bridgerton - Blair Waldorf
Sharp, intuitive, and ambitious, yet still young and fairly childish, Blair and Eloise could rule their respective worlds if they wanted to. They have the brains, the stamina, and the vision to become whatever they want. They always seem to be one step ahead of everyone else and have their own, direct approach to deal with things.
Although Blair is decidedly more boy-attentive than Eloise, they are both very aware of their value and will not compromise for anyone. Strong and confident, they still harbor insecurities like any other human, but always find a way to carry on, learning from their mistakes and becoming tougher in the process.
Anthony Bridgerton - Dan Humphrey
Anthony and Dan are both very particular characters. They're stubborn, confident, quite egotistical, and fiercely independent. They believe themselves to be morally superior to those around them and always think they're in the right, even when they're very clearly not.
Anthony, however, isn't as cynical or manipulative as Dan and he's far more considerate with his sisters than Dan was with Jenny. Anthony also lacks Dan's more problematic and borderline sociopathic qualities, making him a vast improvement on Lonely Boy.
Simon Basset - Chuck Bass
At first sight, Simon and Chuck seem very similar. They're both former rakes who are "redeemed" by the love of a fair and spirited young lady. However, it isn't difficult to see that Simon is a much better person than Chuck, despite the libertine lifestyle they both seem to share.
Simon can be cold and vindictive but he's never cruel. He takes no pleasure in hurting people and doesn't consider himself better than anyone because of his station, unlike Chuck who always believed he was superior just because of his last name. Still, they both suffer a considerable change that ultimately proves to be for the better.
Daphne Bridgerton - Serena Van Der Woodsen
Daphne and Serena are both the It-Girls of their respective worlds. Daphne wows all of London's high society with her stellar debut, quickly becoming the season's diamond, while Serena is always seen as the Upper East Side's ultimate beauty, a legendary and seemingly unobtainable party girl.
They're both the subject of intense scrutiny by a mysterious figure who details every part of their lives, both the good and the bad. Daphne is more composed, smarter, and kinder than Serena, though, and she's not nearly as insecure or boy-crazy.
Lady Whistledown - Gossip Girl
The anonymous author and narrator that frames both shows' narratives, Lady Whistledown is basically a 19th-century version of Gossip Girl. They're both resourceful and highly respected figures who enjoy a good scandal and have no problem with tearing someone down as long as it serves their own purposes.
They're also both innocent-looking and unexpected threats in real life, outsiders looking in who want, more than anything, to have some of the power their targets possess and take for granted. And without them, both shows would be a lot less entertaining.