#INTERVIEW: “BRIDGERTON” SEASON TWO

With a viewership of 82 million households, Netflix series BRIDGERTON became an instant hit, spicing-up our mundane lives during the Pandemic. In addition to its popularity, this Regency-era set Drama from Shonda Rhimes also received much acclaim with its bold approach to storytelling in the genre. The Series is back for a second season, arriving later this week and we got to sit-in on a junket with the Cast and Showrunner!

Participating Talent:

Jonathan Bailey (Lord Anthony Bridgerton), Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma), Charithra Chandran (Edwina Sharma), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington), Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington) and Creator & Showrunner Chris Van Dusen

Showrunner Chris Van Dusen sums-up what fans can expect of this hot forthcoming season.

Van Dusen: “Fans should expect a wild, wild ride. We managed to take everything people fell in love with about the first season and put it into season two. It’s just more steam, more scandal, more sex, more sexy moments and it’s an amazing season and wild, wild ride and we’re back with an even bigger escape to 19th century London this time around.”.

Jonathan Bailey is back again as Lord Anthony and tells us about the challenges he faces. Interestingly, his Castmates admit he’s most likely to break character and giggle.

Bailey: “He’s going to commit to finding a wife, his Viscountess. So what could possibly go wrong? We’re going to explore a lot of his vulnerabilties and his anxieties, and hopefully understand some of his behaviours from the past.”.

Simone Ashley is a new addition to the BRIDGERTON family, playing Kate Sharma. She tells us about the warm reception she got from the Cast.

Ashley: “Everyone was just so warm and welcoming and it just felt really effortless I’d say, and really genuine. No one’s really performative on this show. I think everyone’s just really genuine. Such really lovely, kind people. What’s so special about this Show is that it just keeps growing, this Bridgerton universe. I was just really excited and proud to join it really.”.

Charithra Chandran joins the Cast in the second season of BRIDGERTON as Edwina Sharma, recalling what it was like being a newcomer to the Series.

Chandran: “Of course it’s nerve-wrecking when you’re joining and an established Cast and you’re just new but within a few hours of meeting everyone, it felt like we’d always been part of the family. One of the most memorable moments was when the really wonderful Lady Bridgerton looks at Simone and says ‘It feels like you have always been here, I don’t really remember a time that you weren’t’. I think she said it in passing and to me that meant the world because we just sorta managed to fit-in which is wonderful.”.

Luke Thompson tells us about what to expect from Benedict Bridgerton.

Thompson: “I think Benedict doesn’t really understand the Marriage Market, so watching Anthony muddle his way through it is really useful. I guess that’s what older brothers are for. I think Benedict is more trying to find himself creatively this season. There’s this dichotomy I identify with in being creative in their job. You think a lot of time you’re either wonderful or you’re the worst Actor in the world. And Benedict goes through that. One point he’s literally high on himself for most of the season, and then also has all these doubts. A lot of his journey is about finding out what it means to be truly creative, and take yourself as your own measurement and not compare yourself to the people.”.

Luke Newton reprises his role as Colin Bridgerton. Self-admittedly, he tells us he struggled most with dancing and coordinating that with wearing an earpiece. He talks about what his character is dealing with ahead.

Newton: “I think for Colin, after the scandal of last year, he’s returned with some interesting facial hair, and he’s sworn-off women for the time being. He’s kinda looking for business pursuits. He wants to find his place within the family. He sees his brothers, inasmuch as they’re not settled, he sees that they have ambition and drive. He’s looking for his thing. He’s done his travelling and is looking for what’s next.”.

Golda Rosheuvel returns as Queen Charlotte and this second season goes even more person into her private life.

Rosheuvel: “I think it’s really important to see her humanity. I think it’s important to see her vulnerability. I’m so grateful we have a queen who’s three-dimensional. You see her in her gown, her wigs and all the glorious opulence. But then you get to see her private life and what she’s dealing with behind the scenes. To have that to play is really important.”.

Bessie Carter returns as Prudence Featherington and talks about her character’s eagerness to marry.

Featherington: “Well, well, well. She’s desperate to get married. She’s still really trying to secure a husband because that’s what all these sweet young women had to do and it’s heartbreaking. And I think this season we see her trying even harder and we watch her following her mother’s main prerogative securing their future. Prudence is really trying to do what she’s told.”.

Polly Walker returns as Portia Featherington and talks about her character’s desperation this season.

Walker: “I think she’s still got the same kind of style. It’s kind of direct, but obviously now it’s fueled by other factors. There’s a slight desperation to it this time. She doesn’t just have the luxury of time, she’s just looking at her watch.”.

BRIDGERTON SEASON TWO arrives March 25, 2022 only on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW STILLS FROM SEASON TWO OF “BRIDGERTON”

We present some new stills from the upcoming season of BRIDGERTON!

Synopsis:

From Shondaland and Creator Chris Van Dusen, the second season of Bridgerton 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.

Bridgerton is a romantic, scandalous, and clever series that celebrates the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way, and the search for a love that conquers all. The series also stars Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Varley), Harriet Cains (Philipa Featherington), Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington), Shelley Conn (Mary Sharma), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne Basset), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton), Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich), Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton), Calam Lynch (Theo Sharpe), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington), Rupert Young (Jack), and Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown. The series is inspired by Julia Quinn’s novels.

Season Two of BRIDGERTON arrives on Netflix March 25, 2022.

(Photo credit: Netflix)