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)
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