Season 2 of Netflix's smash period romantic drama Bridgerton continues the romantic exploits of Anthony and his family, courting a bevy of eligible new bachelorettes among Britain's high society. The brilliance of the new season is incorporating characters from season 1 with brand new characters that push the narrative forward in exciting new directions while also giving a rich backstory on Bridgerton's ancestors.
While the Sharma family is the most notable new addition to the compelling cast of characters, there are several other enjoyable and amusing characters that stand out in Bridgerton season 2. The question is, who stood out as the most pleasant?
Lord Featherington
The most odious character in season 2 of the excellent English period drama is clearly Lord Jack Featherington (Rupert Young), the lecherous and treacherous cousin of Philippa, Penelope, and Prudence. At the start, he disrespects his family terribly, setting a horrible example as a so-called Lord.
An inveterate gambler and a sore loser, Lord Featherington's detestable actions include attempting to bribe Will to throw his boxing match, sabotaging Philippa's romance with Albion, and generally comports himself with a stuck-up demeanor that is quite repelling.
Lord & Lady Sheffield
Moreover, by exposing Kate Sharma's (Simone Ashley) grand plan at the Bridgerton dinner event, Lord and Lady reveal the loathsomely villainous plot that makes viewers instantly side with Kate and distance them from these two.
Tessa
More than meets the eye at first, Tessa (Emily Barber) is introduced in season 2 of the beloved Netflix period drama as the model who poses for Benedict's art class. Really a cunning way of gaining art school experience at a time when she is disallowed, Tessa is a lovely, soulful young woman who knows what she wants and takes the requisite action to obtain it.
When Tessa and Benedict begin to spark up a romance, she becomes even more enjoyable to watch, especially when she reveals that she knows the amoral way Anthony got into art class. Presented as a pretty debutante, Tessa is actually far more capable and compelling than first thought.
Theo Sharpe
Outside of the wonderful Sharma family, Theo Sharpe is the most enjoyable new character added to Bridgerton 2. The kind, caring, and urbane working-class gentleman toils as a printer in a press shop, where he secretly works on his feminist journal and advances the notion of equal rights for women.
When Theo meets Eloise (Claudia Jessie), he helps her on her adventure to unveil the identity of Lady Whistledown (who has some great quotes), leading to a sneaky investigation that provides one of the most exciting subplots of the season. Moreover, Theo actively educates Eloise on the importance of women's rights.
Edwina Sharma
On the basis of her personality alone, Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran) couldn't be sweeter or more endearing. However, due to actively following her heart and pursuing her older stepsister Kate's romantic crush Anthony, season 2 explores a Shakespearean love triangle that provides most of the dramatic conflict.
What makes Edwina's romantic dalliances with Anthony so upsetting is that Kate is the one who raised Edwina to be the lovely debutante she ultimately grew up to be, adding serious insult to injury as the two sisters vie for Anthony's affection.
Edmund Bridgerton
For the first time on the extremely popular Netflix show, the father of the Bridgerton family is given a rather heartening backstory. Indeed, Edmund Bridgerton (Rupert Evans) died from an allergic bee-sting reaction at age 38 just before the birth of his youngest daughter. Unable to see all eight beautiful children that bore his name, Edmund is hugely sympathetic on the show.
Aside from his tragic fate, what makes Edmund so compelling is his unwavering love, loyalty, and devotion to his wife Violet. Their marriage was one born of true love as a perfect match rather than an arranged union, setting an example he hopes Anthony and the others will follow.
Lady Mary Sheffield Sharma
Treated horribly by her parents Lord and Lady Sheffield for simply following her heart, Lady Mary Sheffield Sharma looks to treat her daughters Kate and Edwina with nothing but love, respect, honor, and dignity. What's more, Mary Sheffield disavowed her upscale status in London's High Society to marry a humble clerk, proving that material wealth isn't more important than true love.
If that wasn't enough, note the way Lady Mary lovingly interacts with the adorable Sharma family pet dog Newton, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi that will have viewers hitting the rewind button repeatedly.
Kate Sharma
The de facto protagonist of season 2, Kate Sharma is the most compelling new addition to Bridgerton. Whip-smart, tough-minded, and having the ability to see through the phony veneer of high society courtship, Kate challenges Anthony just as much as he does to her, ultimately falling in love to become his official bride. Spending her whole life in India prior to entering the 1814 London marriage mart, the fish-out-of-water element also makes Sharma easy to feel for and relate to.
Of course, Kate's relationship with her step-sister Edwina makes her more rootable. Kate raised Edwina to be just like her, and when she succeeds, she must balance the love for her old family and her new family in ways that satisfy both parties and herself in the process.