Netflix's Bridgerton gives the Duke and Duchess of Hastings a happy ending, but the stories of the characters who comprise Regency-era London remain unfinished. Bridgerton, produced by Shonda Rhimes and created by Chris Van Dusen, is based on the Bridgerton series of romance novels by Julia Quinn. The eight novels span from 1813-1827, each focusing on the lives of each of the Bridgerton family siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Season 1 centers around the events that unfold in the first book, The Duke and I, chronicling eldest daughter Daphne's (Phoebe Dynevon) efforts to secure a love match during London's social season, a time when eligible young ladies set about the serious task of becoming betrothed. Any missteps can lead to scandal and a possible fate worse than death -- spinsterhood.
Daphne suffers a series of setbacks, which become fodder for a scandal sheet written by a mysterious woman known as Lady Whistledown. As Daphne sees her marital prospects dwindle, she receives a helping hand from Simon Basset (Regè-Jean Page), the rakish Duke of Hastings. Simon has no interest in matrimony, and to avoid the horde of ambitious mamas who pounce on him like lionesses hoping to secure meat for their cubs, he strikes a deal with Daphne. They agree to feign romantic interest in one another, and by doing so, Simon becomes less eligible and Daphne more desirable. Of course, the fake courtship blossoms into true love, which introduces some major hurdles for the couple to overcome, namely Simon's deep-seated daddy issues and Daphne's naivete when it comes to marriage and sex.
While Simon and Daphne's steamy romance is the driving storyline of Bridgerton season 1, the London aristocracy's not-so-private lives provide an assortment of other juicy subplots. Since his father's death, Viscount Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), the eldest Bridgerton and head of the family, is torn between his familial obligations and his infatuation with opera singer Siena Rosso (Sabrina Bartlett). With their older brother's future secured, Benedict (the second Bridgerton child) and Colin (the third) struggle to forge their own paths, along with sister Eloise (the second eldest daughter), a sharp-tongued fledgling feminist who dreams of being more than chattel. Across the street from the Bridgertons live the Featheringtons, who consist of the pernicious Lady Portia (Polly Walker) whose daunting task of marrying off her three daughters Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), Prudence (Bessie Carter), and Philippa (Harriet Cains) is further complicated with the arrival of distant cousin Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker) whose pregnancy threatens the family's social standing as does Lord Featherington's (Ben Miller) gambling problem. Another compelling storyline is Eloise's (Claudia Jessie) efforts to uncover the identity of Lady Whistledown. While some of these storylines are resolved, there are plenty of unanswered questions that are bound to leave viewers clamoring for a Bridgerton season 2.
What Happens Now That Lady Now That Lady Whistledown's Identity Has Been Revealed?
Eloise's haphazard sleuthing skills lead her to believe that dressmaker Geneviève Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale) is Lady Whistledown. It's in the last moments of the season finale that Eloise learns of her mistake. The real Lady Whistledown is revealed to the audience to be someone else entirely, who is far more unexpected. Moving forward, she will have to work harder to maintain her secret identity since her treatment of Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) has fueled the monarch's ire. There are other more specific questions in the wake of the revelation. For instance, how did she initially subsidize this endeavor, and what is she doing with the money she's earning now? What is her endgame? Will Eloise continue her investigation? What happens if and when Eloise discovers the truth?
It feels premature to solve the series biggest mystery so early on (and indeed it wasn't revealed in the books until the fourth release), frankly, but it is done. Will the real Whistledown become the narrator for season 2 (replacing Julie Andrews)? Will this revelation and its ramifications overshadow the events of season 2? For fans of the books who already knew the answer (or anyone curious enough to do a quick Google search), the twist's timing is inconsequential. The real intrigue is what happens next: such as, will Lady Whistledown's equal opportunity disdain for the ton will give way to more Machiavellian motivations for manipulating the lives of her targets?
Will Anthony Settle Down And Get Married?
After spending season 1 pining after opera singer Siena Rosso, Anthony is forced to accept the romance is not meant to be. He shows no interest in any of the young ladies his mother throws in his path, but familial obligation dictates that he marry and carry on the family name. Like Simon, Anthony views his inheritance as a burden, and despite his best efforts, his interference in his sibling's lives does more harm than good. With Daphne happily married, Colin (Luke Newton) on a neverending holiday abroad, and Benedict (Luke Thompson) enjoying the freedom and fun afforded to a second son, season 2 should focus on Anthony securing a bride.
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Anthony's determined he will not marry for love, which guarantees that he will because nobody wants to watch 8 episodes of a joyless Anthony treating marriage like a business transaction, although he's likely to try. Who will the mystery lady be? Has the audience heard her name already? How will they meet? Will he cross paths with Siena again? Could he find himself part of a love triangle? It seems that all the Bridgerton siblings are destined to follow in their happily married parents' footsteps, but Anthony is the one most likely to get in his own way.
Is There Hope For Penelope And Colin?
Penelope proves she will go to any lengths to protect Colin and ensure his happiness. By revealing Marina's pregnancy, she saves him untold misery, but she takes her family down in the process, ruining their reputation and standing in good society. Penelope also inadvertently becomes responsible for Marina's attempt to abort her child. Penelope's motives aren't entirely pure: she is undoubtedly bitter after Marina dashes her hopes that Colin might view her as more than a friend one day. Some may argue Penelope gets what she deserves when Colin takes her advice and leaves London to travel the world, leaving her behind heartbroken. Is there still a chance that these two could end up together? Those familiar with the novels already know the answer, although that doesn't guarantee the series will have the same outcome. Colin's ill-fated romance with a character who shares little in common with her counterpart in the books means anything is possible.
Have Viewers Seen The Last Of Marina Thompson?
Despite Marina's attempt to trap Colin into marriage, it's difficult not to sympathize with the mother-to-be. Her last chance at happiness appears to have died along with the father of her child, and she's left with no alternative but to marry his brother and flee Grosvenor Square. There doesn't appear to be any reason for Marina to return for another season. The small-screen incarnation of Quinn's character, whose name doesn't appear until book five, To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise's love story), throws a wrench into many of the character's lives, but where does she go from here? How or why would she cross paths with any of them in the future?
Marina and Penelope end things between them on a good note so that the cousins may correspond. Even Lady Portia, who abuses and tortures Marina at every turn, has a begrudging respect for her by the end, but this may only be because Marina manages to secure an advantageous match with Sir Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton), whom Portia sees as a possible means of financial support for herself and her daughters. The biggest spoiler of how Marina could remain relevant is through Phillip, whose storyline in book 5 of Quinn's series may be expedited and modified to keep Marina in the loop.
What Will Become Of The Featherington Ladies?
After rigging a boxing match to his advantage, Lord Featherington runs afoul of what can best be described as Victorian bookies, leading to his death and his wife and daughters and left penniless. All they have left is the roof over their heads and their personal possessions, which now belong to a mystery heir. Lady Portia uses her resourcefulness to find out who will be the next Lord Featherington, and her reaction would indicate he will not be a willing or generous benefactor. How will the Featherington women save themselves from destitution? Will Penelope abandon her mothers and sisters, or will she stand by them. Will she use the considerable influence she yields as Lady Whistledown in their favor? Will she tap into her small personal fortune to bail the family out? The only certainty is that Lady Whistledown will return in season 2 of Bridgerton to trash her fellow tons.