Warning: the following content can contain spoilers of season one and two.
‘Dearest gentle reader, did you miss me?’ With these teasing words the new season of Bridgerton starts. After the enormous success of season one – 82 million people watched the series within the first 28 days after the release, making this the most-watched show in the history of Netflix – this popular regency family hits the screen again and fans from all over the world are excited to see new romances blossom and big secrets unfold. Just as in season one, we are in for a treat with the new episodes: handsome actors, stunning costumes, beautiful locations and sexy scenes. Taken together, this makes Bridgerton one of a kind. Yet, there are some differences between the two seasons.
Complex minds
Season two follows the story of Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), Daphne’s oldest brother, in his search for the perfect wife, and although the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) will not be seen in this new season, fans will not be disappointed. Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) and Edwina Sharma (Charthra Candran) are the new members of the Bridgerton-family and they are the diamonds of this season. The viewer gets an insight in the minds of the family members and it gives the show more layers, which leads to a better understanding of why the characters do what they do. It’s also an opportunity for the viewer to fall even more in love with those sparkling personalities.
In the new season, another side of Anthony Bridgerton, the Viscount, is shown. Through flashbacks the viewer finally understands why Anthony is who he is and why he feels the urge to do everything for his family, including marrying someone he does not love. Kate and Edwina also have a strong personality and a complex mind. As the oldest, Kate feels responsible for her stepmother and her sister. She also points out that she has no desire to marry, which is the complete opposite of what was expected from a woman in Regency Britain. Edwina, on the other hand, at first seems fine with the role she has but time reveals she is not happy at all. In season one, the complex psychology is limited: we only get an insight in the mind and feelings of the main characters. Yet, in season 2, all characters seem to have their own, complicated plot, which makes the series even more attractive: Benedict wants to achieve something of his own, without his older brother interfering, Eloise wants more than what society has planned for her, Mary, the stepmother, only comes back to London with her daughter’s best interest in mind, and Penelope, who turned out to be Lady Wistledown in the first season’s finale, is torn between her secret and her friendship with Eloise.
Modern Values in Regency England
Bridgerton may be set in the past but it has a lot of modern values. First and foremost, it has a multicultural cast. Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), Kate (Simone Ashley), Edwina (Charithra Chandran), Mary Sharma (Shelly Conn) and even Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) are all played by actresses of colour. This caused the series to receive controversial feedback: some people praised the choice of actors, whereas others did not agree. Some find it hard to believe that a black person could hold power in Regency England, although historians argue that, for example, Queen Charlotte actually may have been black. Yet, the controversy over the actors’ skin colour does not mean that they did not portray their characters in an amazing way. Whether or not the skin colour is historically accurate, they couldn’t have casted anyone better to play those lovely characters! They portray their characters in a very convincing and realistic way.
The thoughts and problems of these characters feel very contemporary, mostly because young adults in the 21st century face the same difficulties while trying to adapt to their adult lives. This might be the reason why so many young people can relate to these characters.
The series also covers the desire to discover who you are and what you want to do. Think of Benedict, who wants to gain independence, Colin, who dreams of discovering the whole world, and Penelope, who wishes to be seen. The thoughts and problems of these characters feel very contemporary, mostly because young adults in the 21st century face the same difficulties while trying to adapt to their adult lives. This might be the reason why so many young people can relate to these characters, and why they are drawn to the series. Last but not least: Bridgerton emphasises that you always should be yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks. Kate, who refuse to marry, although it is against the expectations of society, is a great example of that. She stays true to what she wants, regardless of what others say.
All these elements – the complex minds of the characters, the cast and their amazing acting, the modern values and the beautiful messages (be yourself being the most important one) – make this series enjoyable! Season 3, we are waiting for you!
Season 3 and Queen Charlotte: a Bridgerton story will be released in 2023! A specific date has yet to be announced.