Get to Know Netflix’s Inclusive Bridgerton Cast
The casting of Netflix’s Bridgerton is different than the time period of the Regency-era but the intentional casting of BIPOC actors in the higher class roles such as the monarch, Duke, and ladies in society is all about inclusivity.
Bridgerton has taken a period usually dedicated to Jane Austen films and modernized it through music, costume, and casting. In episode 1 “Diamond of the First Water,” teenage girls dressed to impress their suitors wait cautiously by their family’s side while watching couples dance at the ball. During this scene, a classical rendition of Ariana Grande’s “Thank You, Next” plays. The costuming is bright and decadent even having a bedazzled butterfly on the dress of the shy awkward Penelope Featherton, played by Nicola Coughlan. Some of the wealthiest families have their hair braided in artful patterns and sometimes even in floral shapes.
The plot is about the Featherton, Bridgeton, and Basset families coming of age while an anonymous gossip with the pen name of Lady Whistledon—voiced by Dame Julie Andrews—writes of the scandals in their society. Lady Whistledon’s presence appears throughout the show in a similar fashion to Gossip Girl.
Me: I’m watching Bridgerton for the plot
— Hannah Wood (@Montana_53) January 8, 2021
The plot: pic.twitter.com/JmuRkgC8Qy
The dashing Duke of Hastings Simon Basset is portrayed by Regé-Jean Page. Seen as Chicken George in the 2016 miniseries of Roots, Page has also been in the film Sylvia’s Love as well as For The People. His character in Bridgerton arrogant and proud. He likes drinking and gambling and is tired of the debutantes and families throwing themselves at him for his money.
Men, what’s stopping you from dressing like this? #Bridgerton pic.twitter.com/ZIeJFdKKJR
— SAVE THE SOCIETY ✨🌸 Memes of The Society (@memesofsociety) January 8, 2021
The other lead in this Netflix original is the classically beautiful Daphne Bridgerton. Phoebe Dynover who was Clare in Younger and Lotti Matt in Snatch plays Daphne. Her character is a debutante who is praised by the Queen upon first meeting. After her protective brother Anthony Bridgerton scares off her potential suitors, Daphne makes a deal with Simon Basset to pretend to date so that she can gain the affection of others.
Jonathan Bailey from Crashing, Broadchurch, and W1A is cast as Daphne’s older brother Anthony Bridgerton. While Anthony has an in-depth knowledge of everyone in London, he has yet to take on the responsibility of being the oldest man in the family. He starts off the show with a sensual affair with an opera singer but soon breaks off his connection to her once he begins to recognize his role in society.
Simon Bassett has a nurturing and protective aunt named Lady Danbury. She is a widow who is powerful, strong-willed, and quick-witted. Danbury is portrayed by Adjoa Andoh who has been in Invictus, Fractured, and the 2016 National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
The lazy and pretentious Queen Charlotte has been taken on by Golda Rosheuvel who was Agnes in the film Lady Macbeth as well as Sally Thomas in Luther. Even though Queen Charlotte should be the main person dictating what is right and wrong, she finds herself powerless to the pen of the mysterious Lady Whistledon.
The Featheringtons take in a country girl Marina Thompson played by Ruby Barker who soon enough has a long line of suitors. Ruby Barker has been in TV shows such as Cobra, Doctors, and Wolfblood. Her upcoming role is Yakira in an indie feature film called How To Stop A Recurring Dream.
The london ballroom girls on the set of #Bridgerton ✨🐝 We had the best time #girlgang pic.twitter.com/ljcozG0BlV
— Jennifer (@JCJ_No24) January 8, 2021
In every Regency-era piece of media, there are the social butterflies, those who prescribe firmly to society’s expectations, and then there are the girls who read like Mary Bennett or take long walks in the outdoors like Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.
The two bookworms in Bridgerton Eloise Bridgerton and Penelope Featherton are best friends. Claudia Jessie from Vanity Fair, WPC 56, and Line of Duty is the sarcastic and witty Eloise Bridgerton. Nicola Coughlan of Derry Girls and Harlots is the gaudily dressed Penelope Featherington. Penelope is excitable and full of awe. She wants to run into being a desirable lady but has trouble restraining her emotions. Penelope has a huge crush on her next-door neighbor and one of Eloise’s brothers Colin Bridgerton.
Colin Bridgerton is handsome and charming. Colin is portrayed by Luke Newton who was Ben Evans in Disney’s The Lodge and Luke Atwood in The Cut.
The cast’s unique chemistry carries liveliness throughout the hour-long episodes. You can stream the captivating Netflix original, Bridgerton now.
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