Netflix's huge new show Bridgerton, has a massive and talented cast of characters. Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn's Bridgerton Series, a set of eight romance novels. Like the books, the Netflix show will take place sometime in the early 1800s and center around the Bridgerton family. The eight alphabetically named Bridgerton siblings each star in their own book within the Julia Quinn series, though the first season of Netflix's adaptation - which premieres on December 25th - will focus on the eldest daughter, Daphne, and her primary love interest, Simon, Duke of Hastings.
The ensemble cast includes several relative newcomers to film and television as well as many prolific actors and actresses who are well-known for their previous roles. Fans of British television will likely recognize many veteran actors and actresses who have appeared on shows such as Doctor Who, Casualty, and Coronation Street. And fans of American dramas like Scandal, Gray's Anatomy, and How To Get Away With Murder will no doubt be familiar with the show's executive producer, Shonda Rhimes. Rhimes production company, ShondaLand, produced Bridgerton for Netflix, and showrunner Chris Van Dusen has worked on ShondaLand productions before, including Gray's Anatomy, Scandal, and Private Practice.
Bridgerton promises to be as full of scandal and intrigue as any ShondaLand production, though the setting is notably and dramatically different from ShondaLand's other productions. Bridgerton is set in the Regency era, a time most well-known for the placement of Jane Austen's lighthearted and innocent novels. Bridgerton delivers plenty of the former. As for the latter, Bridgerton is (by Austen's standards) decidedly and unapologetically not. Fans of the Bridgerton novels likely know what to expect. However, the uninitiated should prepare themselves for the steamiest, most radical, and refreshing take on Regency-era tropes to date, delivered with copious amounts of pastel hues, a funky modern soundtrack, and a stellar cast.
Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown
Lady Wistledown is the mysterious, faceless narrator of Bridgerton. Her gossip column, Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, brings all of the juiciest scandals straight to breakfast tables and sitting rooms across London. In the world of Bridgerton, everyone reads Lady Wistledown’s Society Papers, but no one wants to be in it; and everyone knows Whistledown’s name, but no one knows her face. This has, expectedly, sparked comparisons with Gossip Girl (which has just been rebooted for HBO Max), especially with Whistledown dropping such coyly foreboding lines as, “You don’t know me, but I know you," and, “If there is a scandal, I shall uncover it.” Whistledown's true identity quickly becomes the biggest mystery of the show as Whistledown begins to prove that she can indeed uncover any scandal.
Beloved English actor, singer, and director Julie Andrews has been singing and acting on stage since she was ten years old. After playing Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady on stage as a young adult, Andrews landed the lead role in a television adaptation of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. From there, she went on to be one of the most acclaimed stage performers of the 1960s. In that decade, she was also cast in her two most well-known leading film roles in The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins –the latter of which won her an Oscar. Her more recent film appearances include The Princess Diaries (and its sequel, for which Shonda Rhimes wrote the screenplay) and voice acting roles in Despicable Me, Enchanted, Shrek 2, and an unexpected cameo as the voice Karathen in Aquaman.
Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton
Daphne Bridgerton is the eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family and the fourth of her eight alphabetically named siblings. As with most Regency-era romance leads, Daphne is driven by a desire to find a suitable husband quickly. Things take a sharp turn away from the squeaky-clean film adaptations of Pride and Prejudice when she meets Simon, the Duke of Hastings. They find they have something to offer each other and strike a deal, but their relationship quickly becomes Regency-era scandal worthy, leaving Daphne to navigate her relationship with the Duke and the biting gossip that surrounds her name.
Daphne is played by Phoebe Dynevor, who got her start on British television as a recurring character in Waterloo Road. She made her American television debut in 2017 with appearances in the crime-comedy series Snatch alongside Rupert Grint and, in that same year, she began appearing as a regular character on the TV Land dramedy series Younger. She also had recurring roles in Dickensian, The Village, and Prisoners’ Wives.
Regé-Jean Page as Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings
Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings, is the most desirable suitor in London. As such, he has the attention of more single young women (and their mothers) than he could ever want. But, for some unknown reason, Simon is wholly uninterested in the attention and marriage altogether. Of course, that all changes when he meets Daphne Bridgerton, and the two stumble into a steamy affair, which blossoms as the series develops.
Simon Basset is portrayed by Regé-Jean Page. Page, like his Bridgerton costar Phoebe Dynevor, also appeared on Waterloo Road, though their roles didn’t overlap. Page was a regular character on the ABC legal drama For The People and he also appeared in Roots and Casualty. Page made his big-screen debut in Survivor, a spy thriller starring Milla Jovovich and Pierce Brosnan. Three years later, he played Captain Madzimoyo Khora in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi Mortal Engines (based on the book of the same name) and most recently appeared as a minor character in the Amazon original film Sylvie’s Love.
Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton
Anthony Bridgerton is the oldest Bridgerton sibling. As a wealthy young Viscount, his primary duty is the same as Daphne’s – to find a proper match and get married as soon as possible, though his aim is to avoid that fate. The charming and handsome Bridgerton heir would rather put off the duty of marrying and producing an heir to fulfill his other desires.
English actor Jonathan Bailey, who plays Anthony Bridgerton started acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in London’s West End at an incredibly young age, appearing in Les Misérables as Gavroche when he was eight years old. He received award nominations for his work in South Downs and Company, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for Supporting Role in a Musical for the latter. Bailey is also well-known for his many TV roles. He starred in Leonardo, Campus, and Crashing, and made appearances on Doctor Who, Chewing Gum, and Jack Ryan.
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte is loosely based on the real-life, whose husband, King George III, fell ill to an unknown condition later in his life and was placed under the care of his wife. Charlotte became the face of the royal family, even though her son acted as Regent. In Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte likes to stay involved in the goings-on of London's high society, devouring gossip and offering her own musings on various social developments. Obviously, Queen Charlotte is a highly influential character in Bridgerton, wielding her power to start (or stop) rumors and sway public opinion - but when Whistledown begins targeting the palace, Queen Charlotte's interest in the gossip column suddenly turns from fascination to irritation.
Golda Rosheuvel plays Queen Charlotte. Rosheuvel is primarily known for her work on British television shows and has appeared on Casualty, Torchwood, Luther, Coronation Street, Silent Witness, and Unprecedented – an anthology series that explores how the lives of regular people have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Rosheuvel’s recent work outside of television includes Lady Macbeth (starring Florence Pugh and Cosmo Jarvis) and a live-streamed stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol (starring Andrew Lincoln as Ebeneezer Scrooge) in which she played the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
Lady Danbury, a friend of Simon's late mother, took an interest in Simon's wellbeing when he was a child in the wake of his father's rejection of him. The sharp and brutally honest dowager doesn't care as much about society's rules as she does about being right, as she often is. And since Danbury seems to have a knack for seeing through people's secrets and lies, no one wants to make an enemy of her, in turn making Danbury as powerful in London society as Queen Charlotte herself.
Lady Danbury is played by Adjoa Andoh is most well-known for her work on Casualty, a long-running British medical drama, and her roles in Invictus and Fractured. Andoh appeared as Martha Jones's mother, Francine Jones, in seven episodes of Doctor Who (after she had already played a different minor character on Doctor Who – a nurse of the Catkind species in the season 2 premiere, “New Earth”). Andoh has also done voice acting in popular video games such as Horizon Zero Dawn, where she voiced both Sona and Cpl. Vandana Sarai, and in the Amazon original animated series Thunderbirds Are Go as Colonel Casey.
The Bridgerton Family
Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton: Violet is the kind and protective mother of the Bridgerton children. Gemmell is best known for her roles in Fever Pitch, Utopia, and Silent Witness and guest appearances on Midsomer Murders and Casualty. Her other recent work includes a leading role on Home Fires, a WWII drama produced by ITV.
Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton: Benedict is the second Bridgerton sibling, who dreams of becoming a professional artist. Thompson has appeared in several Shakespearean productions in both stage and film. He starred in two filmed stage productions filmed at the Globe Theater as Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Mark Antony in Julius Ceasar. He also played Laertes in a made-for-TV production of Hamlet starring Andrew Scott and Jessica Brown Findlay. His recent work includes minor roles in Dunkirk and Misbehaviour.
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton: Colin is the third Bridgerton sibling. The charming, humorous, and handsome young man is friends with Penelope Fatherington and falls for the newcomer in town, Miss Marina Thompson. Newton starred as Ben Evans in the Disney Channel series The Lodge. He had a recurring role in BBC's teen drama The Cut and appeared in an episode of Mr Selfridge.
Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton: Eloise is the fifth Bridgerton sibling. Eloise is on the cusp of adulthood, meaning she will soon be expected to join her older sister, Daphne, in the hunt for a spouse. But the smart and firey Eloise wants something else out of life. Claudia Jessie, who plays Eloise, is known for her work in Vanity Fair, Doctors, Porters, Defending the Guilty, WPC 56, and a minor role in the dark historic fantasy Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.
Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton: Francesca is the sixth Bridgerton sibling and is more timid and observant than the rest of her siblings and also the least present in the series having moved away from home. Stokes is known for playing Young Una in Una. Her upcoming work includes the horror film A Banquet and Where Is Anne Frank, a fictional film about Anne Frank's imaginary friend, Kitty, whom Anne based on a fictional character from a Dutch children's series and often addressed in her diary.
Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton: Gregory is the seventh sibling and youngest son in the Bridgerton family. The precocious young boy is often pestering his youngest sister, Hyacinth, but, like his elder siblings, Gregory is good at heart. As one of the youngest cast members, Tilston currently has only one acting credit besides Bridgerton. Tilston played an eight-year-old Christopher Robin in Goodbye Christopher Robin.
Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton: Hyacinth is the youngest child in the Bridgerton family and looks up to her elder siblings with admiration. Hunt made her acting debut in the 2020 Netflix dark fantasy Cursed as a ten-year-old version of the main character, Nimue.
Featherington Family
Polly Walker as Portia Featherington: Portia is the mother of Penelope, Prudence, and Philipa and is determined to find suitable marriage opportunities for each of her daughters. She is something of a figure of mockery and ill-taste around the ton, and takes her family's disgrace badly. Walker is not new to the Regency genre and played Jane Fairfax in the 1997 production of Emma. Walker is also known for her extensive work in television. She's had recurring roles in Pennyworth, Cursed, Line of Duty, Mr Selfridge, Prisoners Wives, and Rome.
Ben Miller as Lord Featherington: Lord Featherington is widely disliked and disregarded by society due to his unscrupulous nature, though he seems to have a soft spot for his daughters. He is a muted presence on the show, until its very end, but it becomes clear his darker side has dangerous connotations. Miller is known for his roles in Johnny English Strikes Again, Paddington 2, and as Prince Edvard's loyal assistant, Soren, in the 2004 romantic comedy The Prince and Me.
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington: Penelope, a good friend of Eloise Bridgerton, is kindhearted, incredibly bright, and a bit shy. She is a believer in love matches, rather tragically, given her affections, but is an outsider because of her less fashionable looks. Coughlan is best known for her role as Claire Devlin in Derry Girls, a comedy about a group of Irish teens set in the 1990s.
Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington: Perhaps taking after her father, Prudence (the eldest Featherington daughter) is cruel and self-obsessed. Dangerously close to becoming an unmarriageable age, Prudence is desperate to wed. Carter is known for her work in Cranford, The Good Liar, Howards End, and a minor role in Les Miserables.
Harriet Cains as Philipa Featherington: Less cruel than Prudence, but less sharp-witted than Penelope, Philipa is nonetheless set on finding a husband. She and Prudence are occasionally cast as the ugly stepsisters trope. Cains has previously appeared in Mercury, Line of Duty, and Safe House.
Supporting Cast
Ruby Barker as Marina Thompson: Marina Thompson is the cousin of Penelope, Prudence, and Philipa Featherington and has recently been sent by her family to live in the city with the Featheringtons because of her condition. She, of course, becomes increasingly important to the plot and is one of the more firebrand characters who seeks to challenge more conventional societal expectations. Barker is known for Wolfblood, Cobra, Doctors, and has the lead role in the upcoming independent film How to Stop a Recurring Dream.
Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich: A professional boxer and friend of Simon's, Will is a family man whose duty is at odds with his desire to make it as a legitimate businessman. He's also cast as Simon's moral compass. Imhangbe's other acting credits include The Last British Execution, The Tragedy of King Richard the Second, and the short film Samuel's Trousers.
Kathryn Drysdale as Genevieve Delacroix: Genevieve Delacroix is a popular French dressmaker who owns The Modiste and who becomes embroiled in a scandalous romance with a Bridgerton. Drysdale portrayed Meghan Markle in The Windsors and played the lead role in two shows: the long-running British sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and the six-part drama series Tripping Over. Drysdale was also in the 2004 film Vanity Fair and has appeared in Doctor Who.
Sabrina Bartlett as Siena Rosso: Siena is a talented and beautiful opera singer who represents the life that Anthony Bridgerton could have were it not for his duties as Lord of his household. Bartlett played a handmaid in an episode of Game of Thrones and Abigail Turner in eight episodes of Victoria.
Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper: Cressida is a debutante who competes with Daphne for the coveted title of Incomparable. She is at times Daphne's adversary in the scandalous environment of the ton. Madsen has appeared on television in Babylon, Tina and Bobby, and Mr Selfridge. Her recent work in film includes Rambo: Last Blood, Dark Light, and Leatherface.
Joanna Bobin as Lady Cowper: Cressida's mother and a suitably sneering society face. Bobin is known for her roles in The Brothers Grimsby, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Gunpowder Milkshake, and Mr Selfridge.
Molly McGlynn as Maid Rose: Maid Rose is a maid in the Bridgerton family who helps open Daphne's eyes to her sheltered life. McGlynn has appeared in Cobra and in 2017 she played Leah Buckley on Coronation Street, the U.K.'s longest-running soap opera.
Jamie Beamish as Nigel Berbrooke: Nigel is a pompous and awkward would-be suitor of Daphne's. Beamish is best known for Derry Girls, Hanna, and the 2014 rom-com Love, Rosie.
Julian Ovenden as Henry Granville: Henry Granville is a professional artist and leading figure in the underground "unacceptable" face of the ton, who befriends Benedict Bridgerton and opens his eyes to new possibilities. Ovenden is perhaps best known for his Downton Abbey role as Charles Blake, Mary's love interest and potential second husband following the death of Matthew Crawley.
Ned Porteous as Lord Wetherby: Another character from the turntable of suitors who Daphne encounters and a member of Henry Granville's inner circle. Wetherby is Granville's lover and keeps up the pretence of acceptable society behaviour to protect their relationship. Porteous had recurring roles on EastEnders and Emmerdale Farm and he appeared in the independent sci-fi horror film Astral.
Jamie Beamish as Nigel Berbrooke: Nigel is a pompous and awkward would-be suitor of Daphne's. Beamish is best known for Derry Girls, Hanna, and the 2014 rom-com Love, Rosie. In a very brief performance, Berbrooke's mother is played by Pauline Quirk, a prolific English actress known for Birds of a Feather, Broadchurch, Emmerdale Farm, and Down to Earth.
Freddie Stroma as Prince Friedrich: The nephew of Queen Charlotte who emerges as a distracting major suitor for Daphne at the Queen's behest. Stroma played Cormac McLaggen in Harry Potter. He's also known for A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song, Pitch Perfect, and Game of Thrones.
James Fleet as King George III: King George III is the gravely ill monarch of England and husband of Queen Charlotte who appears fleetingly. James Fleet is known for Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Phantom of the Opera, and Sense and Sensibility.
Jason Barnett as Jeffries: Simon's butler. Barnett is known for his recurring roles in Agatha Raisin, Lee and Dean, and Waffle the Wonder Dog. He also had an uncredited minor role in Disney's live-action Cinderella as a halberdier.