The deal struck between Netflix and Shonda Rhimes is already beginning to bear fruit.
Following the announcement that Rhimes’ first project will be Anna Delvey, Netflix has revealed Shonda Rhimes project number two. Rhimes will produce Bridgerton, an eight episode series based on the popular series of novels from Julia Quinn.
Bridgerton is set between 1813 and 1827 in the lavish high society of Regency London. It follows the titular Bridgerton family through ballrooms and palaces as they strive for power and respect in this chaotic, dangerous landscape. Chris Van Dusen will serve as producer and showrunner on the show, which will film in London.
Here is everything we know about the second Shonda Rhimes Netflix series.
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Bridgerton Cast
Netflix first announced that acting legend Julie Andrews will appear as the voice of the mysterious Lady Whistledown, a sharp-tongued gossip writer who “uses a curious mix of social commentary and scathing insult to send the season of 1813’s ton into an all-out frenzy.”
Now Netflix has announced the rest of the cast. They are as follows (with character descriptions provided by Netflix):
PHOEBE DYNEVOR (Younger) will play “DAPHNE BRIDGERTON.”
The picture-perfect young debutante has been waiting her entire life to make her grand debut on the marriage mart. Poised to be the season of 1813’s forthcoming Incomparable, Daphne’s set to take the town by storm – but not everything goes exactly as planned for this diamond of the first water, especially after she meets a certain Duke.
REGÉ-JEAN PAGE (For The People) will play “SIMON BASSET.”
Having newly returned to London, the Duke of Hastings finds himself the primary topic of conversation amongst marriage-minded misses and ambitious mamas alike. Yet, for reasons of his own, our devastating Duke has zero interest in his title, society, or taking a wife.
GOLDA ROSHEUVEL (Lady MacBeth) will play “QUEEN CHARLOTTE.”
The veritable tastemaker of London society, Queen Charlotte finds herself living for the sordid gossip that Lady Whistledown prints, though she’d swear she’s above such mundane musings. It’s only when the ton’s newest gossip writer takes aim at the palace that Queen Charlotte knows she must do something about it.
JONATHAN BAILEY (Broadchurch) will play “ANTHONY BRIDGERTON.”
The quintessential English nobleman, Anthony is the eldest Bridgerton sibling and dutiful head of the family since assuming his late father’s title of Viscount. Endlessly handsome, charming and rich, he’s quite the catch on this year’s marriage mart. But if he has any hope of fulfilling his oftentimes overwhelming duty of marrying and producing an heir, Anthony must first learn to temper his pursuit of pleasure.
LUKE NEWTON (The Lodge) will play “COLIN BRIDGERTON.”
The dashing Colin Bridgerton is used to disarming his fellow society members with good-natured jokes, though a serious sense of adventure lurks behind those swoon-worthy eyes. Colin takes a liking to the newest young lady in town — but it’s this infatuation that winds up giving him more than he may have bargained for.
CLAUDIA JESSIE (Doctor Who) will play “ELOISE BRIDGERTON.”
Whip-smart, brazen and rebellious, Eloise Bridgerton is definitely not here for turning into just another young simpering and mincing debutante. She believes she’s destined for something much greater, though she’s quite rapidly approaching marriageable age.
NICOLA COUGHLAN (Harlots) will play “PENELOPE FEATHERINGTON.”
A vastly intelligent girl with a sharp wit and kind heart, Penelope would prefer to quietly sway near the perimeter of any ballroom rather than take center stage. She’s been born into a family who will never truly understand her–as if dealing with the cutthroat, mean girls of 1813 Regency London weren’t enough.
RUBY BARKER (Wolfblood) will play “MARINA THOMPSON.”
Having been sent from the country to live with her cousins, the Featheringtons, Marina never imagined being a part of London society. Yet the arrival of this resourceful young lady seems to make more than just a splash in our glittering, exclusive world.
SABRINA BARTLETT (Knightfall) will play “SIENA ROSSO.”
The beautiful, captivating, and enterprising opera singer who’s having a secret affair with a prominent lord. Fun and a bit impetuous, Siena secretly longs to be a part of our town’s world.
RUTH GEMMELL (Penny Dreadful) will play “LADY VIOLET BRIDGERTON.”
All warmth, wisdom and love, the Bridgerton matriarch manages to treat everyone with unmatched kindness and respect. But don’t mistake her compassion for weakness – as she’s an impressive match for anyone who dares comes close to interfering with her family. She’d like nothing more than for her children to marry – not for convenience or opportunity, but for love.
ADJOA ANDOH (Thunderbirds Are A Go) will play “LADY DANBURY.”
The legendary, acerbic, lioness of a dowager who runs this town. Unconcerned with the rules of polite society, Lady Danbury is a straight shooter – both formidable and a little scary. And while her judgments may be sharp, they’re always accurate. She is a friend of Simon’s late mother, having shown the now Duke a rare kindness when he was a child.
POLLY WALKER (Pennyworth) will play “LADY PORTIA FEATHERINGTON.”
Perhaps the most ambitious mama of all, Lady Featherington is determined to make advantageous matches for each of her daughters – and is forever pushing them on some rather disinterested parties. Cunning and ruthless, Lady Featherington hustles to get what she wants, no matter the cost.
Bridgerton Release Date
Bridgerton does not have a release date yet but Netflix expects it to launch in 2020.
Alec Bojalad is TV Editor at Den of Geek and TCA member. Read more of his stuff here. Follow him at his creatively-named Twitter handle @alecbojalad