‘Bridgerton’: Meet All the Characters on Netflix’s Regency Drama
The cast breaks down who’s who on the Shondaland drama about love, marriage, and scandal in 1800s London society.
Adapted from Julia Quinn’s best-selling romance novels by longtime Shonda Rhimes collaborator Chris Van Husen, Bridgerton is a drama set in 1800s London, where one’s place in society is important and scandal must be avoided at all costs. With so many characters to explore in the long-running drama, the cast helped ET break down a number of family members, friends, and royals.
More specifically, the Netflix original follows Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter of the esteemed Bridgerton family, as she enters the competitive marriage market of the Regency era. While her hopes of finding true love blossom, Daphne must adhere to strict social conventions when meeting potential suitors, who must gain the approval of her eldest brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), who has taken over the estate since their father’s death.
But soon after Daphne steps out — and is crowned the crown jewel of the young ladies by Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) — she and those around her become the subject of a tabloid column written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), who stirs up drama among friends, family, and outsiders alike.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page) unexpectedly returns home to London, where he quickly becomes a favorite of many mothers, including Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), who wants to marry her daughter to the most respected bachelor. However, the Duke, who has no interest in settling down, soon finds himself in cahoots with Daphne as they try to make it through the social season together.
Lady Violet (Ruth Gemmell): Violet is the widowed mother of the family, who loves and adores her children. “She will protect them to the end. She is never disappointed in her children, she is only amazed by them,” Gemmell says. “When you meet her, she is determined to marry her children for love to an equal. She wants what she had in her marriage for her children.”
Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor): At the center of it all is Daphne, who makes her debut into society and quickly becomes the crown jewel of all debutantes. While this adoration brings her a few suitors, none of them are her match. That is, until she meets the Duke and tries to strike a deal with him so they can both dominate the season.
Eloise (Claudia Jessie): As the second daughter, Eloise has little interest in following the traditional rules of society and longs to make her own. “She has the space to figure out what she wants and I don’t think Daphne is going through anything,” Jessie says, adding, “Eloise is the lovable rogue of the family.”
Anthony (Jonathan Bailey): As the eldest son in the family, Anthony has inherited his late father’s title of Viscount, as well as the responsibility of looking after the estate. “He’s carrying the weight of the legacy and he’s responsible for making sure his sisters get married and securing their futures,” Bailey says, adding that like Eloise, he’s questioning everything, “Like, what does it mean to be a man and be there for someone else and make sure you look after yourself at the same time?” Though quick to secure his siblings’ futures, he has little interest in settling down.
Benedict (Luke Thompson): Sensitive and lovable, the second eldest son desires more than endless parties. Instead, he dreams of becoming an artist.
Colin (Luke Newton): While his older brothers may have little interest in getting married, Colin is interested in attending at least one of the society appearances. And sadly for Penelope, who is madly in love with him, it’s not her.
Francesa, Gregory, and Hyacinth (Ruby Stokes, Will Tilston, Florence Hunt): The three youngest Bridgerton children bring joy and laughter to their large family home.
