Netflix's Bridgerton has been the OTT platform's biggest series debut to date. The binge-worthy show, adapted from the works of Julia Quinn, re-imagines the Regency Era with a gorgeous lead couple, fun characters, and a whole lot of sex.
As is typical of Shonda Rhimes, the series makes a statement with a racially and ethnically diverse cast, something hitherto quite unimaginable in most British period movies or shows. However, with a fascinating cast, Bridgerton has exceeded expectations with its first season and is all set for a much-anticipated second season in 2021.
Adjoa Andoh Wanted To Give Her Character The Power Of The Regency Men
Adjoa Andoh plays the formidable Lady Danbury who is like a mother figure to the dashing Simon Basset. Andoh cuts an impressive figure as the matriarch of the show. The actor has pointed out that Lady Danbury's characteristic stick and hat are supposed to exude the same sense of power that men in the Regency Era exhibited.
She wanted the character, a widow who had made her own way in what was decidedly a man's world at the time, to demonstrate some of the masculine features her personality had developed over the years to reach her position in life. It was Andoh who asked for the distinctive accessories to go with her character.
Coughlan's Final Scene Wrapped Up Filming
Nicole Coughlan plays the dark horse Penelope Featherington, who is revealed in the season one finale to be the elusive Lady Whistledown.
The scene with Penelope's major reveal was, according to Coughlan, the only scene that was filmed practically in the midst of the global pandemic. The scene also wrapped up filming of the first season and the entire affair was rather hush hush, with not many people being aware of filming taking place.
Dynevor Was A Child Actress
The new diva in town, Phoebe Dynevor, may have gotten her breakthrough role in the Shondaland period drama as the heroine Daphne Bridgerton, but she started out a long time ago as a child actress.
Dynevor's parents are both associated with the industry, her mother is in fact Sally Dynevor of Coronation Street fame. Young Phoebe's first role was in the BBC school drama Waterloo Road, after which she went on to star in several roles including one with Rupert Grint who played Ron Weasley in the hit Harry Potter movies.
Golda Rosheuvel Had Her Own Transportation
The snarky Queen Charlotte who is probably the only historical character in the series is played by actress Golda Rosheuvel. The Queen entertains herself with the season's gossip and spends most of her time in the company of her tiny Pomeranians.
Rosheuvel's wigs were mega-sized, as fans would recall, so much so that the actress had to be given special mini-buses with tall ceilings for travel between sets to accommodate the height of the wigs. The burden of being Queen was heavy indeed, at least for Rosheuvel.
Some Of The Cast Are Great Friends
Some among the cast such as Bailey who plays the wild Lord Bridgerton and Phoebe Dynevor, or Claudia Jesse and Nicole Coughlan who play Eloise Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington respectively, are friends in real life, which must help with their chemistry on screen.
Anthony Bridgerton might have done his best to meddle with Daphne's love life but behind the camera, the two actors are friends, with Bailey having stated that he feels protective towards Dynevor as one would for a younger sister. Jesse and Coughlan too are great friends thus making their on-screen camaraderie appear more natural.
Corsets & Heels Aren't All That Sexy
The lavish costume drama with women holding their breaths in corsets, quite literally, and teetering over in heels, is a fan-favorite genre. But that doesn't mean that all the cast found the costumes and accessories equally fun.
Actress Coughlan has stated that she tripped thrice on her first day of the shoot trying to manage both the corset and the heels at the same time. Parading about in uncomfortable costumes while trying to appear natural isn't all that easy, it would seem.
Bessie Carter Was Born To Act
Prudence Featherington might not have as huge a secret as her sister Penelope but she does have a tiny one of her own. The actress Bessie Carter, who plays Prudence, comes from acting royalty.
Carter is the daughter of prolific actor Jim Carter, best known for his role as the grumpy but lovable butler Carson in another hit British historical drama Downton Abbey. And her mother is the brilliant Imelda Staunton, popularly known to an entire generation of fans as the despicable Professor Umbridge in the Harry Potter series.
Getting The Family Ready For Some Steam
The sexy costume drama might have provoked some wild imagination but the cast members involved in those steamy moments had to take care to prepare their family members before they were bombarded with those scenes.
Both Phoebe Dynevor who had the brunt of the erotic scenes with the strapping René-Jean Page, and Jonathan Bailey whose shenanigans with opera singer Sienna Rosso were no less sexy, had to warn their family so that they knew what they were in for.
Jonathan Bailey Is A Lawrence Olivier Awardee
Very few people would know this but the Viscount Bridgerton has more up his sleeve than an unabashed opera singer. The sprightly young actor has been awarded none other than the Lawrence Olivier Award for his outstanding performance in Sondheim's Company.
Bailey's role as the gender-swapped Jamie earned him the coveted Olivier award for best actor in a musical. One can expect fireworks from the handsome actor who, it is widely rumored, would be the central protagonist in season 2 of Bridgerton.
Bailey & Ashley Were Both In Broadchurch
The latest news for the Bridgerton fandom is that the show has cast actress Simone Ashley for the role of Kate Sharma, an ethnically diverse spin on Kate Sheffield in the original novels. Ashley will play Anthony Bridgerton's love interest in season 2.
Fans might be interested to know that both the actors have previously been part of the ITV crime thriller Broadchurch starring David Tenant and Olivia Colman. Bailey played the overzealous young reporter Ollie in seasons 1 and 2, while Ashley had a small role in season 3. Although the two appeared in different seasons and didn't share screen space, they would have something in common even as fans anticipate some sizzling chemistry between them in the second season of the Regency drama.