Bridgerton is an American television series based on a book series by Julia Quinn. It was created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix and is the first original series made by Shondaland for the streaming platform. The show features a group of actors, including Adjoa Andoh, Golda Rosheuvel, Ruth Gemmell, Polly Walker, Luke Thompson, Luke Newton, Nicola Coughlan, and Claudia Jessie.

The series is narrated by Julie Andrews. It follows the Bridgerton family, a noble and influential group, as they navigate the social season, a time when young people from the nobility and gentry are introduced to society. The story takes place in an early 19th-century version of London during the Regency era. In this version of history, King George III is shown as having created racial equality and given aristocratic titles to people of color because of Queen Charlotte’s fictional African heritage.

The first season of Bridgerton began on December 25, 2020. The second season started on March 25, 2022. The third season was released in two parts, on May 16 and June 13, 2024. The fourth season was also released in two parts, on January 29 and February 26, 2026. A fifth season has been planned. A spin-off series called Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which focuses on Queen Charlotte, was released in May 2023.

The series has won five Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards and a Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award. It has also been nominated for awards at the Primetime Emmy Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Satellite Awards, and NAACP Image Awards. The music score by Kris Bowers was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Premise

During the Regency era, the eight siblings of the important and influential Bridgerton family—Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth—move through London's high society while seeking love. They are supported by friends and faced with competitors.

Cast and characters

• Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury (née Soma Anderson), a sharp-tongued and insightful leader of high society
• Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton, Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton (née Ledger), the mother of the Bridgerton children
• Golda Rosheuvel as Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and wife of King George III
• Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown, the writer of a scandalous society newsletter
• Polly Walker as Lady Portia Featherington, Dowager Baroness Featherington, the leader of the Featherington family
• Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington), the youngest Featherington daughter, wife of Colin Bridgerton and mother of Elliot Bridgerton, the current Baron Featherington (Lord Featherington)
• Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, the fifth Bridgerton child and second daughter
• Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, the third Bridgerton son, husband of Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington) and father of Elliot Bridgerton, the current Baron Featherington (Lord Featherington)
• Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, the second Bridgerton son and husband of Sophie Bridgerton (née Baek)
• Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley, the Featheringtons' housekeeper
• Jonathan Bailey as Lord Anthony Bridgerton, 9th Viscount Bridgerton, the eldest Bridgerton son and head of the family. Husband of Kathani "Kate", Viscountess Bridgerton (née Sharma) and father of Edmund Bridgerton II
• Ruby Barker (season 1; guest: season 2) as Marina, Lady Crane (née Thompson), a Featherington cousin from a rural gentry family
• Sabrina Bartlett (season 1) as Siena Rosso, an opera singer and Anthony's former lover
• Harriet Cains (seasons 1–3; guest: season 4) as Philippa Finch (née Featherington), the middle Featherington daughter, wife of Albion Finch and mother of Philomena Finch
• Bessie Carter (seasons 1–3) as Prudence Dankworth (née Featherington), the eldest Featherington daughter, wife of Harry Dankworth and mother of their unnamed daughter
• Phoebe Dynevor (seasons 1–2) as Daphne Basset (née Bridgerton), Duchess of Hastings, the fourth Bridgerton child and eldest daughter. Wife of Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings and mother of August "Augie" Basset
• Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton, the eighth and youngest Bridgerton child
• Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich, a gentleman's club owner, retired boxer, and confidant of the Duke of Hastings
• Ben Miller (season 1) as Lord Archibald Featherington, Baron Featherington, the patriarch of the Featherington family
• Regé-Jean Page (season 1) as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, one of London's most eligible bachelors who marries Daphne Bridgerton and father of August "Augie" Basset
• Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton, the seventh Bridgerton child and youngest son
• Simone Ashley (season 2–present) as Kathani "Kate", Viscountess Bridgerton (née Sharma), wife of Anthony and mother of Edmund Bridgerton II
• Charithra Chandran (season 2) as Edwina Sharma, Kate's younger half-sister
• Shelley Conn (season 2) as Lady Mary Sharma (née Sheffield), Kate's stepmother and Edwina's mother
• Calam Lynch (season 2) as Theo Sharpe, an apprentice at the printing shop used by Lady Whistledown who befriends Eloise
• Rupert Young (season 2) as Jack, Baron Featherington, the new head of the Featherington family
• Victor Alli (seasons 3–4) as John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin. Late husband of Francesca (née Bridgerton)
• Joanna Bobin (season 3; recurring: seasons 1–2) as Lady Araminta Cowper, Cressida's mother
• Dominic Coleman (season 3; recurring: season 2) as Lord Cowper, Cressida's father
• Ruby Stokes (recurring: seasons 1–2) and (seasons 3–4) as Francesca (née Bridgerton), wife of John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, and mother of Edmund Bridgerton II
• Geraldine James (seasons 3–4) as Lady Francesca Stirling, wife of John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, and mother of Edmund Bridgerton II
• Ruby Stokes (recurring: seasons 1–2) as Francesca (née Bridgerton), wife of John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, and mother of Edmund Bridgerton II
• Geraldine James (seasons 3–4) as Lady Francesca Stirling, wife of John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, and mother of Edmund Bridgerton II
• Ruby Stokes (recurring:

Episodes

The first season is based on the book The Duke and I.
The second season is based on the book The Viscount Who Loved Me.
The third season is based on the book Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
The fourth season is based on the book An Offer from a Gentleman.

Production

On July 20, 2018, Netflix said Shonda Rhimes, through her company Shondaland, would make the TV version of Julia Quinn’s bestselling Bridgerton books. Chris Van Dusen would be the person in charge of the show. Quinn said on The Tamron Hall Show that she was very surprised when her agent told her Rhimes wanted to adapt her books. She quickly agreed. The first season of the show was based on The Duke and I, the first book in Quinn’s series. Van Dusen said in a Shondaland article: “I think period shows are often seen as old-fashioned. With Bridgerton, I wanted to make something fresh and relatable.”

Before the first season aired, the second season was already being planned. It was officially announced in January 2021 and focuses on Anthony, based on The Viscount Who Loved Me. On April 13, 2021, Van Dusen said on Twitter that the series would also have a third and fourth season.

The third season focuses on Colin and Penelope, based on Quinn’s fourth book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, instead of Benedict. Jess Brownell took over as writer and showrunner for seasons three and four. In July 2024, it was confirmed that Benedict Bridgerton would be the main character in Season 4. In May 2025, Netflix announced that seasons five and six would be made together. On March 24, 2026, it was confirmed that Francesca Bridgerton would be the main character in Season 5.

Bridgerton is set in an alternate history where London is racially integrated, and people of color are part of the upper class, some with titles given by the king or queen. Van Dusen was inspired by historical debates about Queen Charlotte’s African ancestry to create a world where her mixed heritage was well-known and had a major impact on Black and other people of color in England. He said the show is not “color-blind” because it shows how race and color are important to the story.

On June 19, 2019, Julie Andrews was cast as Lady Whistledown, whose voiceovers explain parts of the story. Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page were cast as the main characters. Other actors include Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh, and Polly Walker. Luke Thompson, Will Tilston, Florence Hunt, and Ruby Stokes were cast as the remaining Bridgerton siblings. Additional actors include Ben Miller, Bessie Carter, Harriet Cains, Martins Imhangbe, and Lorraine Ashbourne.

On January 21, 2021, it was announced that Jonathan Bailey would return as Anthony for the second season. Simone Ashley was cast as Kate the following month. On April 5, 2021, Charithra Chandran joined as Edwina, Rupert Young as a new character, Shelley Conn as Kate’s stepmother, and Calam Lynch as Theo Sharpe. On May 28, 2021, Rupert Evans joined as Edmund Bridgerton, the late patriarch of the Bridgerton family.

Page did not return for the second season because he had a one-year contract and wanted to try other work.

In April 2022, Bailey and Ashley were confirmed to return for the third season as Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton, showing their married life and family duties. Hannah Dodd replaced Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton due to scheduling conflicts. Chandran did not return for the third season. In July 2022, Daniel Francis, Sam Phillips, and James Phoon joined the cast. In October 2022, Hannah New was cast as Lady Tilley Arnold. In January 2023, Dynevor said she would not appear in the third season but might return later.

In May 2024, Coughlan and Newton were confirmed to return for the fourth season. Yerin Ha joined as Sophie Baek, and Bailey confirmed he would return for only a few weeks. In September 2024, Katie Leung, Isabella Wei, and Michelle Mao joined as Araminta, Rosamund, and Posy. Hugh Sachs and Emma Naomi became regular cast members. In October 2024, Ashley returned for the fourth season but in a different role. In January 2025, Dynevor said she had not been asked to return for the fourth season. Yerin Ha made a Spotify playlist for her role, including songs by Lee So-ra, Benjamin Clementine, and Billie Eilish.

In April 2026, Tega Alexander, Jacqueline Boatswain, and Gemma Knight joined the fifth season as Christopher Anderson, Helen Stirling, and Lady Elizabeth Ashworth. As filming began for the fifth season, Dynevor confirmed she had not been asked to return.

Principal photography started in July 2019 and ended in late February 2020. The show was filmed in London and Bath, as well as other estates and parks in England. Most street scenes were filmed in Bath, York, and Chatham. Wilton House was used for Hyde Park, and Somerley was used for Hampstead Heath. Garden scenes were filmed at Painshill and the Commissioner’s House in Chatham.

Filming locations included Ranger’s House in Greenwich (for the Bridgerton House exterior), Halton House (for Bridgerton House interiors and Featheringtons’ home), Wilton House (for Simon’s Hastings House, Clyvedon estate, and St. James’s Palace throne room), Syon House and Badminton House (for Hastings House), Castle Howard (for Clyvedon estate), Coneysthorpe (for Clyvedon village), Hampton Court Palace and Lancaster House (for St. James’s Palace), Holburne Museum (for Lady Danbury’s estate), Hatfield House (for Featheringtons’ interior), No. 1 Royal Crescent (for Grosvenor Square), Queen’s House and Somerley (for Somerset House), and Dorney Court (for a coaching inn).

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens was recreated using parts of Castle Howard and Stowe Park for Lady

Release

The first season of Bridgerton had eight episodes that began streaming on Netflix on December 25, 2020. The second season’s eight episodes were released on March 25, 2022. The first part of the third season started on May 16, 2024, with the first four episodes, and the second part began on June 13, 2024, with the final four episodes. The fourth season was also split into two parts, with the first part premiering on January 29, 2026, and the second part on February 26, 2026.

A preview of a scene from season 2 was shown during Netflix’s September 2021 Tudum: Extended Talent Panel. This was followed by the release of first look stills. On February 14, 2022, the first teaser trailer for the second season was made available. A world premiere event was held at Tate Modern in London, England, on March 22, 2022, before the season’s eight episodes were released. Jonathan Bailey, who was the lead actor in the West End play Cock, missed some promotional events, including press interviews, talk shows, and the Met Gala, due to his three-month commitment to the play.

In December 2023, it was announced that the third season would be divided into two parts. During a Valentine’s Day Event on February 14, 2024, the episode titles, exclusive photos, and first look footage for the third season were shared. A panel featuring Shonda Rhimes, Chris Brownell, Daisy Quinn, and cast members such as Luke Newton, Simone Rosheuvel, and others was also held. The trailer for season 3, part 1, was released on April 11, 2024. A world premiere was held in New York City before the release of part 1 of season 3. Another world premiere took place in London’s Leicester Square before the release of part 2 of season 3.

Reception

The series has an average score of 83% on the review website Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 71 on Metacritic.

The first season received mostly positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, 87% of 100 reviews were positive, with an average rating of 7.7 out of 10. The website’s critics said, "Beautiful design, dramatic storytelling, and a strong cast make Bridgerton a pleasant and enjoyable experience." Metacritic gave the series a score of 75 out of 100 based on 34 reviews, which means the reviews were generally favorable.

Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series a B+ and wrote, "Bridgerton is a fun experience for fans of Pride & Prejudice who want more romantic scenes." Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times gave the series four out of four stars and called it "a show that makes viewers want to watch every episode one after another." British GQ compared Bridgerton to Downton Abbey and Gossip Girl but noted, "it might not be as good as it could be." Salamishah Tillet of The New York Times said, "Bridgerton shows how Black characters can be included in British historical stories without being limited to servant roles." Erum Salam of Cosmopolitan wrote, "I wanted more details about how race influenced the society shown in the series." Carolyn Hinds of Observer stated, "Bridgerton is praised for its diverse cast in a historical setting, but some critics note that Black and other people of color have lived in England for centuries due to trade and colonization." Vanity Fair’s Caroline Framke said the romantic scenes in the series "are not shocking, but fit the style of the show’s creators."

The first season’s sixth episode faced criticism for a scene where Simon and Daphne have sex. In the scene, Daphne moves on top of Simon, preventing him from stopping the act despite his objections. Critics said this scene showed a harmful part of their relationship and failed to address the issue as sexual assault. Some critics also pointed out that the series did not fully explore the challenges faced by male victims of rape or the portrayal of Black men in media.

The second season received mostly positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, 78% of 95 reviews were positive, with an average rating of 7.1 out of 10. The website’s critics said, "While the excitement of the first season may have lessened, Bridgerton remains a show that keeps viewers wanting to watch more episodes." Metacritic gave the series a score of 70 out of 100 based on 32 reviews, which means the reviews were generally favorable.

Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series an A− and wrote, "The second season is smarter, more emotional, and more complex than the first, showing that the show is more than just a romantic story." The Hollywood Reporter’s Angie Hahn said the season is "more mature and thoughtful" than the first, with a strong central romance. Peter Travers of ABC News praised the writing, saying, "Season two explores characters’ emotions more deeply and continues the diverse casting that makes the show stand out."

Alison Herman of The Ringer said Season 1 is "sexy but not deeply erotic," while Season 2 has "less sex but more emotional tension." Emma Clarke of The Independent said the lack of physical scenes in Season 2 makes it "more sexy." Scott Bryan of the BBC wrote that the season feels "modern and refreshing" despite being set in the past.

Kevin Fallon of The Daily Beast praised the actor who plays Lord Bridgerton for showing "emotions without making the story too serious." Anita Singh of The Telegraph said the actor brings "more depth" to the role than previous actors. Randy Myers of Mercury News said the actor has "good timing for comedy." Proma Khosla of Mashable said the actors in Season 2 "create a strong romantic connection" that makes the season "exciting and full of tension."

The third season received mostly positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, 87% of 79 reviews were positive, with an average rating of 7.0 out of 10. The website’s critics said, "The gossip in London is still exciting in Bridgerton’s third season, thanks to the strong connection between two main characters." Metacritic gave the series a score of 69 out of 100 based on 26 reviews, which means the reviews were generally favorable.

Aramide Tinubu of Variety praised the connection between two main characters, saying their relationship "grows more passionate" and makes the season "special." David Opie of Empire called a scene in the second part of Season 3 "one of the best romantic scenes in the series" and praised the acting. Rachel Aroesti of The Guardian said the third season is "the most exciting in the series" and praised the chemistry between two main characters. Alyssa Mora of IGN said the connection between the two main characters is "clear" and praised the actor for her performance.

Katie Rosseinsky of The Independent said the actor is "the strongest part of the season." Carly Lane of Collider said the same. Judy Berman of Time said the actor’s performance is "the most interesting in the series." Kelly Lawler of USA Today said the actor has become "a well-known star." Keisha Hatchett of TVLine praised both main actors and named them "Performers of the Week" after part 2 of Season 3. She said the actor who plays Colin "showed strong emotions" in the final episode.

Historical inaccuracies

Chris Van Dusen has explained that although the show is set during the Regency era, it is not meant to be a history lesson or a documentary. Instead, the show combines real history with imaginative elements in a way that is exciting. One example of this is how the show handles the topic of race. Most of the characters in the show, including the Bridgerton family and Lady Whistledown, are not real people.

Scholars have said that the idea that Queen Charlotte may have had African ancestry is not supported by historical evidence. In an interview, historian Marlene Koenig noted that the show’s portrayal of Regency-era London includes more diversity than existed in real life during that time. She explained that the concept of diversity, as it is understood today, did not exist in Britain during the Regency period. Some music pieces used in the first season were composed after 1813, such as Dmitri Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra (written after 1956) and “Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour” from Jacques Offenbach’s 1881 opera The Tales of Hoffmann.

Historians have also pointed out inaccuracies in the clothing shown in the series. For example, the show uses corsets to symbolize the oppression of women, but in reality, corsets in the Regency era were often worn with a chemise (a type of undergarment) to prevent bruising. The fabrics and patterns in the show are more modern than those used during the Regency period. Other inaccuracies include the absence of bonnets and the use of fabric styles and colors that were not common at the time. However, many of these inaccuracies were intentional. The show is not meant to be a precise reflection of the Regency era but instead creates a world that mixes real history with fantasy. The series is described as a dramatization of the Regency era, rooted in that time but with more dramatic and exaggerated elements.

Themes

A common theme throughout the show is gender, particularly the roles of women in British high society. Chris Van Dusen wanted the show to highlight an ongoing discussion about how, over the past 200 years, many things have changed, but some aspects of life for both women and men have remained the same.

The show focuses on the social events of each year, and the women, including Daphne, Kate, Penelope, and others, face challenges from the expectations placed on them by society. Daphne Bridgerton, known as the Queen's Diamond of her season, works to protect her reputation while trying to marry for love. Kate Sharma, who is considered too old to marry, tries to restore her family's standing in high society while helping her sister, Edwina, find a good marriage. Eloise Bridgerton, who does not want to marry, becomes more involved in political matters instead.

The men, however, face fewer risks to their reputations. When Kate hears Anthony say he wants a more agreeable wife, she challenges him about his views on women, pointing out that his standards for women are different from those he holds for himself.

A modern change in the show is the diverse group of characters. Van Dusen used Queen Charlotte as a central figure to include ideas about racial equality. By casting Queen Charlotte as a Black woman, he asked, "Could she have used her power to help other people of color in society? Could she have given them titles, land, or positions of importance?"

When Simon Basset refuses to pursue Daphne Bridgerton, Lady Danbury explains that love can overcome obstacles, using Queen Charlotte and King George as an example of how their marriage changed society. Simon, however, argues that even though Queen Charlotte holds power now, "Black progress is fragile and depends on the actions of white kings."

The show also explores the influence of written words, as characters like Lady Whistledown use their Society Papers to shape opinions during the social season. Van Dusen compared social media to a "modern-day corset," showing how it can strongly affect public opinion, just as Lady Whistledown's writings did.

Throughout the series, Lady Whistledown publishes Society Papers that comment on important people during the social season, whether praising them or exposing their secrets. The impact of these papers is so strong that even Queen Charlotte tries to find the author to stop them.

Prequel miniseries

In May 2021, Netflix ordered a limited series from Shondaland that is a prequel focusing on young Queen Charlotte, a character not found in the Bridgerton novels. Rhimes wrote the spin-off and worked as an executive producer with Betsy Beers and Tom Verica. Rosheuvel, Andoh, Gemmell, and Fleet returned to their roles, while India Amarteifio, Michelle Fairley, Corey Mylchreest, and Arsema Thomas joined the cast. Connie Jenkins-Greig played young Violet. In September 2022, Netflix announced the series would be called Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and shared the first images. The series premiered on Netflix on May 4, 2023, and includes six episodes.