Bridgerton season 2 is finally here and we couldn't be more excited about returning to a world of sweeping gowns, spectacular balls and scurrilous court gossip!
Bridgerton season one adapted from Julia Quinn's bestselling series of novels, saw Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and the rakish Duke of Hastings tie the knot after a bumpy ride to the altar. In the new season attention now turns to Quinn's second Bridgerton novel — which follows Daphne’s older brother, the slightly petulant, domineering Lord Anthony Bridgerton (played by Jonathan Bailey).
Here's everything we know about the return of one of Netflix's most talked-about shows...
Bridgerton season 2 release date
Bridgerton season 2 release date is Friday, March 25, 2022 on Netflix. The big news was revealed on Christmas Day.
Netflix tweeted:
"Dear readers, I know my absence has only made your hearts grow fonder; however, you will not have to wait much longer. Bridgerton season 2 debuts March 25, 2022, only on Netflix."
If you've missed Bridgerton season 1 well, what are you waiting for...?
Bridgerton season 2 plot
The second book in Julia Quinn's bestselling series of novels is titled The Viscount Who Loved Me and focuses on Anthony Bridgerton and a new heroine called Kate Sheffield (renamed Kate Sharma in the TV show). A synopsis from Netflix reads...
"The second season follows Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), the eldest Bridgerton sibling and Viscount, as he sets out to find a suitable wife. Driven by his duty to uphold the family name, Anthony’s search for a debutante who meets his impossible standards seems ill-fated until Kate (Simone Ashley) and her younger sister Edwina (Charithra Chandran) Sharma arrive from India.
"When Anthony begins to court Edwina, Kate discovers the true nature of his intentions — a true love match is not high on his priority list — and decides to do everything in her power to stop the union. But in doing so, Kate and Anthony’s verbal sparring matches only bring them closer together, complicating matters on both sides.
"Across Grosvenor Square, the Featheringtons must welcome the newest heir to their estate while Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) continues to navigate the ton whilst keeping her deepest secret from the people closest to her."
The second season is also expected to pick up where the last one left off with regards to a collection of tantalizing sub-plots... Will Penelope Featherington make her feelings for Colin Bridgerton known? ...and will her pal Eloise Bridgerton finally agree to enter the marriage mart?
New Bridgerton season 2 sneak peek pictures
Netflix released some exciting new images from the new season, giving us an insight into what our favorite characters will be getting up to in the new episodes.
Each of the seven new images is accompanied by the cryptic words 'love never plays by the rules'...
What are the Bridgerton season 2 episodes called?
The names of each of the episodes in season 2 have been announced on Twitter with the season kicking off with Capital R Rake, the second episode is called Off To The Races, followed by A Bee In Your Bonnet, Victory, An Unthinkable Fate, The Choice, Harmony, The Viscount Who Loved Me.
Excited to be sharing these #Bridgerton Season 2 episode titles‼️ #March25 🎩🐝✨ pic.twitter.com/JHVprMAiKfMarch 17, 2022
Who is Bridgerton Season 2 heroine Kate Sharma?
Simone Ashley, star of Sex Education and The Sister, will play Kate Sharma in the second series of Bridgerton. The character is almost 21 in the novel The Viscount Who Loved Me. She's only just making her debut on the marriage market, alongside her younger half-sister Edwina as her family — who come from out of town — can only afford to do the season once.
After the death of her mother when Kate was only 3-years-old, Kate’s father remarried and his new wife, Mary Sheffield, showered the two girls with love. However disaster struck when Kate and Edwina's father then died, leaving Mary without much money and desperate to find her step-daughters suitable husbands.
In her novels, author Julia Quinn writes that Kate "wasn’t the sort who would capture the attention of the ton. She wasn’t pretty enough to overcome her lack of dowry, and she’d never learned to simper and mince and walk delicately, and do all those things other girls seemed to know how to do in the cradle.”
Netflix recently revealed some character bios of this new family...
Kate Sharma
Kate is equal parts headstrong and whip-smart. Her sharp wit and independent nature make her a singular force on the 1814 marriage mart, where she hopes to secure a love match for her younger sister, Edwina.
Edwina Sharma
Edwina has been taught by her older sister to be the perfect debutante. She’s kind-natured and endlessly endearing. But while she may be young and naive, she also knows what she wants: a true love match.
Mary Sharma
Mary Sharma was the daughter of an Earl, but gave up her title to run away with her true love – a merchant. The scandal that quickly ensued has made Mary somewhat of an outsider upon her return to London society for the debut of her daughters.
Bridgerton season 2 cast
Most of our favorites from the first series will be returning for the new series, yet while season one star Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) will feature, her on-screen husband Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) will not be returning.
The news was broken at the start of April in an update from Lady Whistledown herself...
Page also confirmed the news when he revealed conversations he'd had with the show's producers ahead of the first series ...
“It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end — give us a year,” he explains. “I thought 'That’s interesting,' because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.”
More casting news came in the form of Charithra Chandran, who will portray Kate Sharma's younger sister, Edwina, a "kind-natured and endlessly endearing,” young woman who's seeking a true love match.
Shelley Conn (Deep State and Liar) will play their stepmother, Lady Mary Sharma, who returns to high society after causing a scandal with her own marriage. “Now newly returned to London with her daughters, she’s forced to endure the scrutiny of the ton yet again.”
Meanwhile, Calam Lynch (Black Beauty) joins the show as printer’s assistant Theo Sharpe and Rupert Young (Dear Evan Hansen) plays Jack, "the newest member of the ton with a connection to one of its most notable families."
Man in the High Castle star Rupert Evans will also join the show as Edmund Bridgerton, the family's late patriarch. Father to Daphne, Eloise and the other Bridgerton children, Edmund was a loving and devoted husband “whose true love match with Violet Bridgerton gave them eight perfect children” teases Netflix. “He’s also an endlessly patient and kind father, who takes special pride in guiding his eldest son Anthony through life."
Bessie Carter will also be returning as Prudence Featherington and her two actor parents are both delighted with the show's success. Bessie's mother Imelda Staunton, who played Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and will play the Queen in The Crown and father Jim Carter (Downton Abbey) are big fans!
"We're delighted, it's been a huge success," says Carter. "Bessie has had a wonderful time doing it. I'm thrilled on her behalf. They're starting out a second series soon."
Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton) will be the star of the second season, alongside Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma).
Julie Andrews, who voices Lady Whistledown, as well as Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), and the rest of the core cast including Claudia Jessie, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell and Polly Walker, are also expected to return.
The new arrivals have immediately become part of the Bridgerton family — as this Instagram post from Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington, aka Lady Whistledown) shows...
What is the second Bridgerton novel about?
The blurb for Julia Quinn's novel reads...
“Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry — he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield — the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams.
“Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands — and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister — but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…”
Bridgerton season 2 trailer
The trailer for season 2 arrived recently ahead of the season premiere, where we get a proper look at Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma's budding romance. You can watch it below...
Will there be a Bridgerton prequel?
Netflix have revealed that a second show in the Bridgerton franchise is in the works. Shonda Rhimes will be writing and producing a spin-off prequel series based on the origins of Queen Charlotte, which will also feature young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury. Exciting!
