Dearest readers and royal fans of Bridgerton, Season 2 is upon us! The hit Netflix original series, Bridgerton, returns two years later, bringing more romance and intrigue to viewers worldwide. The Shonda Rhimes series immediately gained attention in 2020, having amassed over 82 million Netflix watches in the series’ first 28 days on the streaming platform. Bridgerton held the title of the most-watched original series on Netflix, only to be surpassed by Squid Game in 2021.

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Season 2 will continue following the Bridgertons, a wealthy family in early 19-century England trying to find love among the other elite. While last season was more focused on Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke, this season will focus on Lord Anthony Bridgerton.

What is the Premise of 'Bridgerton' Season 2?

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Image via Netflix

Season 2 of Bridgerton follows Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and his new love interest. In the first season of Bridgerton, Anthony refused to marry and was an overbearing and controlling older brother to his sister Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), whose love life was the main focus of the season. However, he met Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) and had a change of heart, believing in love. Now, viewers can expect Bridgerton Season 2 to include the joining of the Sharma and Bridgerton households now that Anthony has possibly found his suitor.

Fans will also now be exposed to yet another family in the Bridgerton universe and the drama that ensues. Additionally, since Lady Whistledown has been revealed as Penelope Featherington (Nicola Couglan), fans can expect more detective-like excitement between her and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie). Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) will also be traveling in Season 2, so there should be excitement afoot in his journey.

Will the Duke of Hastings Return?

Simon looking intently while at a library in Bridgerton.
Image via Netflix

Sadly, Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), will not be returning for Season 2. It appears as though this choice was made by producers and not Page.

In an interview with Variety, he wasn't worried about leaving the show, as Simon's character arc has been completed. "Simon was this bomb of a one-season antagonist, to be reformed and to find his true self through Daphne," Page said. While it's sad to see that Page’s journey in Bridgerton has come to end, it's not on a completely bitter note.

Are There Any New Characters?

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With the addition of the Sharma family comes a wide array of new characters in the Bridgerton series. As stated previously, Simone Ashley plays Kate Sharma, Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s hopeful love interest and guest of Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh). Lady Danbury is sponsoring the debut season of Edwina Sharma (Kate’s younger sibling played by Charithra Chandran).

Shelley Conn portrays Lady Mary Sharma, the mother of Kate and Edwina who returns to London. Rupert Young is Jack, the new Lord Featherington following the death of Archibald Featherington (Ben Miller). Calum Lunch portrays Theo Sharpe, a printer’s assistant who works with Lady Whistledown. Finally, Rupert Evans joins the cast as Lord Edmund Bridgerton, the father of the eight Bridgerton siblings. In Season 2, there are flashbacks to before his death where Evans is featured.

Some Familiar Faces Returning

Bridgerton Season 2 Eloise and Penelope

With another season comes returning characters and familiar faces. Returning characters include Lady Whistledown (Julie Andrews), Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), Dowager Countess Bridgerton (Polly Walker), and Lady Portia Featherington (Ruth Gemmell).

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Jonathan Bailey plays Anthony Bridgerton, Jessie as Elouise Bridgerton, Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, and Luke Thompson plays Benedict Bridgerton. Phoebe Dynevor plays Daphne, Florence Hunt is Hyacinth Bridgerton, and Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton.

How Closely is the Series Following the Novels?

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Season 2 of Bridgerton is based on the second of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series titled The Viscount Who Loved Me. Without many spoilers, many by-the-book fans found some small things that happened to be different in the series. The main plot is still quite accurate, but the small details are a bit different.

The Sharmas were originally called the Sheffields, there is a bit of timeline difference between Lord Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma, and Penelope’s storyline and identity as Lady Whistledown takes a larger role in Season 2 than it did in the novel.

Will There Be a Season 3?

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Image via Netflix

In terms of future seasons, Bridgerton was renewed back in April 2021 for Seasons 3 and 4. Netflix announced this in a letter in the Lady Whistledown theme, stating that “...Bridgerton shall return for seasons three and four.” Considering that Season 2 just released, it is possible that a Season 3 debut as soon as Summer 2023.

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Additionally, the next novel is An Offer From a Gentlemen, which follows Benedict’s love story. It is probable that Bridgerton may continue long enough for all the Bridgerton siblings to have their own love story played out. Also announced in May 2021 is a limited prequel focused on the life of a younger version of Queen Charlotte. A release date is still unknown.

When Will Season 2 Be Released?

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Image via Netflix

Bridgerton Season 2 was released on March 25, 2022, on Netflix. The trailer was released on February 14, 2022, during the TUDUM Fan Event.

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