As Lady Whistledown says (in the books), there are rakes and there are Rakes; and Anthony Bridgerton is certainly a Rake. Although Bridgerton, based on the series of books by Julia Quinn, only focused on his dalliance with Siena, a soprano singer, in the first season, the book version of the viscount is apparently more explorative.
With the second season of Bridgerton recently confirmed, fans are speculating on what might happen. A few clues from the first season indicate that the next one will focus on Anthony, just like the second book in the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me. From taking his viscount duties seriously to his relationship with his family, what can we expect from Anthony in season 2?
This article contains spoilers for The Viscount Who Loved Me and, potentially, the second season of Bridgerton.
Courtship
At the end of season 1, Anthony tells Daphne and Simon that he'll be looking for a wife in the next season. This comes as a surprise to them because before that, Anthony continuously evaded all talk of marriage. In addition, he spends most of the first season in an on-off relationship with a soprano singer, whom society deems unfit for a man of his position and social standing.
In the books, Anthony makes the same announcement to his brothers Benedict and Collin. He also asks who the incomparable of that season is (as Daphne was in the previous season), and makes up his mind that he will court and marry her.
Matters Of The Heart
At the time Anthony expresses his wish to get married and be done with it, he also sets out conditions with regards to the person he'll marry. The first is that she has to be reasonably attractive, at least to make the act of siring an heir more pleasant. The second is that she can't be stupid, because even if he can avoid conversation with her, he wouldn't want his children to be stupid because of her. And the last is that he cannot marry someone he will fall in love with.
In the Bridgerton finale, Anthony says something similar to Daphne and Simon when he tells them of his plans to wed. When Daphne talks of love, Anthony dismisses it, saying love is an unnecessary complication and feelings won't play a part in the matter of his marriage. Thankfully for the fans, he proves himself wrong.
The Certainty Of Death
Only those who've read the second Bridgerton book know of Anthony's struggle with the death of his father. Edmund Bridgerton died at the young age of 38 from a bee sting, leaving Anthony as the head of the household. Following his father's death, Anthony feels like he can't possibly exceed him, both in character and in years, so he believes he's fated to die at 38 as well.
The opening and closing scenes of Bridgerton show a bee, which seems like something random and unimportant unless you know of Edmund's death by a bee sting. Fans took it as an indication that the show will focus on Anthony's story in the next season and the mental battle he fights over the impending death he is sure will come when he turns 38, just like his father.
The Art Of Letting Go
Season 1 shows Anthony being controlling to the point of chasing away every man showing interest in courting Daphne. Some argue he's being protective as his duty as viscount and patriarch of the family requires, but most say he's overdoing it. At one point, he even arranges a marriage for Daphne to Sir Nigel Burbrook, much to her dismay, and attempts to force her to marry him against her wishes.
By episode 3, he's learned not to speak for his sister when it comes to marriage, and based on the books, the second season may show him relinquishing more control. In the second book, he's certainly more laid-back, although that may be because none of his siblings are in the marriage market at the time and the entire focus is on his marital prospects.
Mother Knows Best
In season 1, Violet Bridgerton does everything to get her son to settle down short of tying Anthony to the altar and forcing a priest to marry him to any eligible young lady. From giving him a list of potential matches to accosting him at a ball to introduce him to a lady, her efforts know no bounds. None of it works though.
The second Bridgerton book has a scene where Violet arranges to have a group of young ladies and gentlemen stay over at Aubrey Hall, their country home. Anthony knows very well that it's all an effort to get him to start courting, but he doesn't resist it this time around and it leads to some very interesting events.
Of Love And Kinsfolk
While Bridgerton splendidly shows each family member and their unique characters, their relationships with each other didn't get much screen time. Most times when Anthony is interacting with his siblings, it's over something serious like marriage or defending Daphne's honor.
Considering that The Viscount Who Loved Me has lots of humorous dialogue between Anthony and his siblings, especially Colin and Benedict, it would be fun to see that same dynamic on the screen. A lot of the banter relates to Anthony and his efforts to get married.
Chivalry Isn't Dead
The kind side of the viscount is one we don't see much in season 1 of Bridgerton. The only time that comes close is when he tries to win Siena over and promises to take care of her. In the second book, however, Anthony does many a chivalrous act.
He saves a young lady who falls into the river and even rescues Penelope Featherington from a group of girls bullying her about her appearance. The latter is a scene shown in season 1, but instead of Anthony, it's Colin who saves Penelope from mockery and dances with her.
Pride And Prejudice
Having the focus of the story be on Anthony means seeing all his traits from the first season up close and magnified. Arrogance, in particular, is one trait the viscount has in spades, especially in the book that narrates his life. It's possible this stems from his position as viscount and head of the Bridgerton family, so he believes he is right about everything all the time.
For most of the story, Anthony's arrogant nature, unfortunately, falls on Kate Sheffield, the female lead of the story. Similar to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth of Pride and Prejudice, the two are often bickering.
A Rake By Any Other Name
From the very beginning of the Bridgerton tale, Anthony is known as a rake, one of the worst ones in fact. The book cements this fact through various accounts from Lady Whistledown's Society Papers and his behavior with certain characters. But how or why did he become a rake in the first place?
The book digs deep into Anthony's mind, showing that he resists forming emotional attachments in his relationships because of his belief that he'll die in a few short years. He feels love is a complication that makes his impending death scarier and so, behaving rakishly spares him all that.
An Affair Of Honor
It's nothing short of ironic that in season 1, Anthony challenges Simon to a duel because he took liberties with Daphne's honor, and then he finds himself guilty of a similar crime in the books. Thankfully, instead of being forced to take responsibility for his actions, Anthony steps up to do what is expected of him of his own accord. While this version of events doesn't lead to the heart-stopping thrill of a duel, it takes Anthony's life in a delightful direction he never thought possible.