It’s been a month since Bridgerton Season 3, Part 1 landed on Netflix, and its successful turnaround furthers the show’s popularity as one of the most watched on the streaming service. Based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling novels, the series follows the Bridgerton family of eight, each season centering on a love story involving one of the siblings. This season in particular focuses on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), who returns to society from an exploratory trip across Europe. As he comes back home, the pressure to find a suitable match feels real, but he tries to lie low on the possibility of marriage. That is until his old friend, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), asks his help to find a suitor.
The series has three seasons thus far, with the latter being split into two parts. Yet, aside from the main book-to-screen adaptation, there is also a spin-off from the Bridgerton universe that offers further insight into a few of the characters that are present in the Religion. In case you aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to watching the show and the prequel in chronological order, or by release date, this guide has got you covered with a breakdown of which of them to watch first.
‘Bridgerton’ Series in Chronological Order
‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’
Despite coming out last year, technically, the right way to watch Bridgerton is to experience Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story first. After all, it took place in 1761 and focused on the sovereign that governed the Ton. The show gives further insight into her rise to the throne upon marrying King George III (Corey Mylchreest). The series shows Queen Charlotte (India Ria Armaterteifio) arriving just in time for her wedding to a man she meets minutes before walking down the aisle. Although they had a pleasant first encounter, their marriage went through various ups and downs, given George’s mental state (which wasn’t properly treated at the time). In addition to their love story, Queen Charlotte also learns to live up to the expectations of being a ruler, trying to produce an heir and hosting lavish balls.
It is through Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story that fans of the show can further understand the queen’s over-the-top personality in the Bridgerton universe, and she urges to find husbands for her hand-picked diamonds of the season. The spin-off also shows how she became friends with her right-hand-man Brimsley (Sam Clemmett) and her right-hand-woman Lady Danbury (Arsema Thomas), including how the latter was able to outgrow the unfortunate circumstances she endured in a loveless marriage.
‘Bridgerton’ Season 1
After Queen Charlotte’s story unfolds, a lot of time passes before Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) begins her quest for a husband. Upon her debut in society in 1813, she makes quite an impression on the queen, who endorses her as the diamond of the season. As Daphne struggles to find a suitor who doesn’t mind standing up to her older brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), she bonds with Simon (Regé-Jean Page), the Duke of Hastings. They pretend to be courting each other, in an attempt to raise Daphne’s chances of getting married. Yet, through playing pretend, they soon begin to “burn” for each other.
Season 1 is the official introduction to the members of the Bridgerton family as well as other members of the Ton who continue to be present on the show later on. When the main love story isn’t occupying the screen, viewers get to know the Featheringtons, another important family that the show focuses on.
‘Bridgerton’ Season 2
Once Daphne and the Duke fall in love, it is Anthony’s turn to secure a match. The viscount sees Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran) as the ideal lady to get married to since she is the perfect blend of smart, sweet, and beautiful. Yet, her protective sister Kate (Simone Ashley) keeps on Anthony’s nerves, as the two bickers around while he is pursuing Edwina. Their distaste for each other transitions to romance, but their longing for something more isn’t what the viscount pictured for themselves, leading the character to be at a crossroads between a marriage of convenience or a marriage out of love.
Although Season 2 is mainly focused on Anthony’s lead-up to finding a suitable wife, it also gives insight into other Bridgerton siblings, especially Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Eloise (Claudia Jesse). Benedict furthers his love for the arts by attending an art school, where he feels free of the pressures of the Religion. Eloise, on the other hand, begins to be drawn by women’s rights pamphlets and develops a connection with a paperboy named Theo (Calam Lynch) despite him being of a lower standing. The Featheringtons also occupy a lot of screen time, as their financial struggles lie in the hands of Cousin Jack (Rupert Young).
