Netflix will premiere Bridgerton season two on Friday, March 25th, 2022. Created by Chris Van Dusen, the show is produced by Shonda Rhimes and her production house, Shondaland. The series became one of the highest-streamed shows on the streamer, breaking multiple records, since its release in 2020.
Based on Julia Quinn’s eponymous novel series, the show deals with the titular Bridgerton family and the multiple siblings who belong to the upper echelons of aristocratic London in the Regency-era. With each book (and subsequently each season) focusing on a different sibling and their individual romantic pursuits, this romance drama series abounds in opulent balls, lavish parties, a flamboyant courting season, the grandiose of aristocracy and a shit ton of steamy sex scenes.
After the first season focused on the love story of the eldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne, the second season will focus on her brother, the eldest Bridgerton sibling and the de-facto patriarch of the family after their father’s death, Anthony’s rendezvous with the Sharma sisters.
Anthony is set to woo the heart of Edwina and win the favour of her spirited elder sister Kate who begins to incur his unhinged attention. With forbidden romance, unbridled drama and gossip, plenty of raunchy scenes and more, the second season will surely leave an indelible impact on fans.
The reprising cast for this Emmy-nominated show includes Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan, Adjoa Andoh, Phoebe Dynevor, Lorraine Ashbourne, Bessie Carter, Harriet Cains, Ruth Gemmell, Martins Imhangbe, Florence Hunt, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson, Golda Rosheuvel, Polly Walker, Will Tilston and Julie Andrews.
They will be joined by a new cast comprising Simone Ashley, Charothra Chandran, Shelley Conn, Rupert Young and Calam Lynch.
Ahead of its release, here are five secrets from the sets of the two seasons of Bridgerton:
5 secrets from the sets of Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’:
Anthony Bridgerton ‘made-up’ his butt
Jonathan Bailey had the incredible honour of flashing his butt on-camera before revealing his role as the eldest Bridgerton brother and notorious womaniser, Anthony. Although the first season revolved around the romantic relationship between his sister, Daphne and the Duke of Hastings, Simon Bassett, Anthony was a key figure in the season with his sexcapades and libidinal presence.
Bailey had taken to Instagram to reveal how they had applied make-up to his derriere to “de-shine the body” and make it seem presentable for the viewers. He revealed, “There is a moment where they go, ‘Can we lower the britches?’ And when I lowered the britches for the first time, they went, ‘Can we call in makeup?'”
Beyonce inspired Queen Charlotte’s avatar
The show has been lauded for its diverse casting, a la Shonda Rhimes, the biggest advocate for gender and racial inclusivity on the Netflix listings. One of the key characters on the show, Queen Charlotte of England is portrayed by the Guyanese-British actress, Golda Rosheuvel. Since Charlotte was a real character, it was essential for makeup and hair designer Marc Pilcher to incorporate all the essential elements.
Charlotte was of African descent and Pilcher wanted to celebrate her ethnicity to create her looks. He cited Beyonce Knowles from Austin Powers Goldmember as an inspiration and decided to go for the “biggest afro someone had ever seen” for Queen Charlotte to add to the grandeur of her style and the general flamboyance of the era.
Eloise and Penelope are very close off-screen as well
Eloise Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington are best friends on the show. Together, the duo is up to no good as they try and get to the bottom of Lady Whitsledown’s mysterious identity. While the industry is usually rife with rumours about two actresses not getting on with each other beyond their on-screen roles, it’s not the same for Claudia Jessie and Nicola Coughlan, who plays Eloise and Penelope respectively.
According to Chris van Duse, the duo is “friends in real life” and are fondly referred to as “PenEloise” in the writer’s room. He continued, “When we saw them, we immediately knew that was Penelope and that was Eloise Bridgerton. I think we have something special with them.”
Bathtubs are difficult to find
The set designer revealed that it was difficult to find the proper period-appropriate elements for the show, especially for the baths that predominantly feature in the second season, as hinted by the trailer. However, it was difficult finding the bathtubs for the characters and give them a distinct identity.
The pandemic made it quite difficult for the crew to arrange for these luxurious items, namely bathtubs, chandeliers and more. However, in a weird turn of events and due to sheer “kismet”, the bathtubs for the Sharma sisters on the how came from a certain Mrs Sharma in India.
The infamous toilet mishap
The Bridgerton cast and crew had a difficult time navigating the shooting procedure in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that had plunged the future of the show’s second season into bleak uncertainty. An infamous toilet mishap did not make things easier as the crew had to pause their stinky thoughts and clean up the mess. Quite literally.
According to the set designer, the temporary toilet block in the studio – fortunately, away from the sets – could not withstand the building pressure and “covered the car park with the unmentionable”. While he was exempted from the clean-up duties, “a hardy crew member rolled up their sleeves and sorted it.”
