Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bridgerton: Everything you need to know about Shonda Rhimes’ historical romance series for Netflix

Eight-part series comes to Netflix on Christmas Day

Isobel Lewis
Tuesday 15 December 2020 06:38 EST
Comments
Bridgerton trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Bridgerton is the biggest show coming to Netflix this Christmas.

The period drama is the first series to come out of a multi-year development deal between Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes and Netflix.

Bringing the drama of Shondaland series such as Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder to Regency-era London, Bridgerton is an eight-part show based on Julia Quinn’s series of historical romance novels.

It tells the stories of the high society young men and women entering the marriage market in search of love.

While it may seem like your normal period drama, Bridgerton is actually a lot more radical. The show features a racially diverse cast and also explores ideas such as female sexuality and masculinity.

At the centre of the show is the Bridgerton family, led by matriarch Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), whose eldest daughter Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) is hoping to find a husband.

However, following the death of her father, Daphne must be chaperoned by her possessive older brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), who is struggling to settle down himself.

The show’s male lead is Regé-Jean Page as the eligible Duke of Hastings, who has returned to London to find endless mothers hoping to bestow their daughters on him in marriage.

We also have the Featherington family, who are led by Lord and Lady Featherington (Ben Miller and Polly Walker) and have three daughters: Penelope (Derry GirlsNicola Coughlan), Philippa (Harriet Cains) and Prudence (Bessie Carter).

The supporting cast also includes Adjoa Andoh, Sabrina Bartlett, Luke Newton, Golda Rosheuvel and Kathryn Drysdale.

There is also a special appearance from Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown, an anonymous Gossip Girl-esque figure who produces pamphlets about the scandals emerging in the city.

The show was filmed in the UK, with production split between London and Bath.

Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix on Christmas Day.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in