Dearest reader, your correspondent finds herself compelled to remind you of exciting news of a grand return of the fine corsetry, rank debauchery and general illustriousness of London’s most prolific (and of course talked about) family. Our felicitations to the Bridgertons. With Season Two in the making, I can assure you that there is much merriment in store for all.
Truly yours,
Lady Whistledown
Yes, dear Must Readers, you arequite correct. Bridgerton will soon be back, and, along with the rest of the nation, you are cordially invited to prepare your bingeing apparel. Whilst its outrageous success back in December 2020 can likely be ascribed to the fact that the deep depression which cast itself over the nation required a touch of pastel-tinged indulgence as distraction, we are quite thrilled to see what Season Two may have in store for us.
However, before we go any further, we must also share some most devastating news – are you perched comfortably enough upon your brocaded chaise longe?
Regé-Jean Page, otherwise known as The Duke, otherwise known as the reason most of us watched the series, will not be returning for Season Two. I know, I know, it’s quite the shock to the system – here, my dear, take my embroidered ‘kerchief. I believe it was Lady Whistledown herself who said that it’s the ones we love who have the power to inflict the greatest scars. (Weeps).
Duke-induced heartbreak aside however, Season Two is shaping up to be quite the watch. Naturally, the “ton” is oh-so hush-hush when it comes to details. But we have a little inside scoop to get you accustomed to the beau monde of Season Two.
1. The new season commenced shooting in the spring of 2021, with an estimated release date of the summer of 2022.
2. Instead of following the delightful Daphne (Pheobe Dynevor), Season Two will focus on her equally dishy brother, Anthony (Johnathan Bailey) in his pursuit out of baseless bachelorhood and into the loving arms of a very lucky lady.
3. Word on the street is that Anthony’s new belle will be played by none other than Sex Education’s Simone Ashley – a perfect pairing, don’t you think?
4. Where season one was loosely based off Julia Quinn’s novel The Duke & I, season two will follow the plotline of Quinn’s second novel in the bestselling series, The Viscount Who Loved Me, so you now know exactly where to go if you want more insight into what to expect – just DON’T give us any spoilers.
5. Speaking of spoilers, you might want to brush past this point if you are somehow yet to watch Season One, but whilst daddy Duke may not be on the scene in Season Two, it is likely that we will get to Daphne flexing her new mother skills.
So, with approximately a year to wait until the next season, you have more than enough time to re-watch season one, tighten your corset and fix that gown. After all, you never know who might be waiting to court you.
The Season is nearly upon us, and love it or loathe it, we know you’re going to watch it.
If you want some other great literary adaptions see our picks here
If you like Bridgerton, you’ll love Normal People
Finally, in case you need a reminder, here’s what the critics think of Season One. In The Telegraph, Sarah Hughes wants something “fun, frivolous and frothy” for Christmas and feels that Bridgerton is the “sort of series that slips down as easily as a glass of pre-dinner champagne.” In The New York Times James Poniewozik notes that the key difference between this series and the acres of previous period dramas is that it comes from superstar producer Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal). He says one hallmark of Rhimes’s shows is that “characters of color should get to have just as much fun, have just as much agency and range of possibility — and be just as bad — as anyone else.” Overall, he says that Bridgerton “adds up to a reliable story in fancy modern packaging.” In Rolling Stone Maria Fontoura says the eight episodes are “laced with feminist undertones and light but surprisingly sharp humor” and that that the show’s “young cast of mostly unknowns brings zip and depth of feeling to material that could otherwise feel slight. There’s a charming wink to it all — this is a show that knows exactly what it is, and wears (or removes) its corset proudly.”
First shown December 2020. You can watch the trailer by pressing play on the show image.
