The Bridgerton Family and Their World
The Bridgertons stand at the heart of the beloved Netflix series, their very name shaping the title itself. Each season draws inspiration from Julia Quinn’s eight-novel series, with each book—and therefore each season—spotlighting a different Bridgerton sibling and their journey to love, responsibility, and personal discovery.
Season one introduced audiences to Daphne Bridgerton (played by Phoebe Dynevor), the family’s eldest daughter, whose debut into society led to a whirlwind of scandal, romance, and transformation. The second season shifted its focus to Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), the eldest son and Viscount, as he stepped into both the duties and emotional complexities left in the wake of their late father’s death. Season three, now eagerly awaited, turns its attention to Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), whose evolving bond with Penelope Featherington is poised to take center stage.
Lord Edmund Bridgerton and Lady Violet Bridgerton
The family’s foundation traces back to Lord Edmund Bridgerton and Lady Violet Bridgerton. Edmund, remembered as a devoted husband and father, tragically died at the age of 38 due to an allergic reaction to a bee sting—an event that forever altered the family’s course. At the time, Violet was pregnant with their youngest child, Hyacinth, leaving Anthony, then only eighteen, to assume the role of Viscount far sooner than anyone had imagined.
Despite such loss, Violet (Ruth Gemmell) has remained a pillar of strength. Fierce, nurturing, and determined, she devotes herself to guiding her eight children through society’s expectations while quietly hoping each will find a true and lasting love of their own.
Anthony Bridgerton
As the eldest Bridgerton, Anthony shoulders the weight of responsibility and tradition. His role as Viscount is not merely ceremonial—it demands sacrifices that often clash with his own desires. During the first season, he focused his energy on ensuring Daphne made a respectable match, though his protective instincts sometimes hindered rather than helped. In season two, Anthony’s own love story unfolded—a tumultuous, passionate journey that ultimately led him to Kate Sharma. Their connection, initially masked by tension and resistance, grew into a partnership marked by both fiery clashes and undeniable chemistry.
Benedict Bridgerton
Benedict (Luke Thompson), the second eldest, is an artist at heart—curious, thoughtful, and searching for meaning beyond the polished facades of London society. In the second season, he discovered that his acceptance into art school may have been influenced by a donation from Anthony, leaving him questioning his own abilities and the merit of his achievements. Though his story will not take the spotlight in season three, Benedict’s journey remains central to the series’ broader tapestry, and fans of Julia Quinn’s books know that his turn as the leading figure is destined to come.
Colin Bridgerton
Colin (Luke Newton), charming yet still finding his place, has grown significantly since season one, where a complicated entanglement with Marina Thompson left him shaken. By season two, his friendship with Penelope Featherington deepened, hinting at feelings more profound than he initially realized. Viewers familiar with Quinn’s fourth book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, will recognize this as the foundation for season three’s central romance—a story of trust, long-hidden emotions, and the kind of love that blooms when least expected.
Daphne Bridgerton
Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) began the saga as the series’ radiant heroine. Poised and determined, she sought a love match rather than a mere arrangement, leading to a passionate courtship with the Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset. Their relationship—intense, complicated, and ultimately fulfilling—culminated in marriage and the birth of their son. While Daphne’s role receded in season two, she remained a guiding presence, offering wisdom to Anthony as he embarked on his own quest for love. However, she will not appear in season three, leaving audiences to focus on the evolving journeys of her siblings.
Eloise Bridgerton
Independent, outspoken, and utterly uninterested in conventional expectations, Eloise (Claudia Jessie) has become one of the series’ most beloved characters. Preferring books and debate to balls and courtship, she defies the image of the perfect debutante. Yet her path is far from static. Her world shifted dramatically in season two when she discovered that her closest friend, Penelope, was secretly Lady Whistledown—the very gossip writer whose sharp words had shaped much of the Ton’s drama. Fans of the novels know that Eloise’s future includes an unexpected romance with Sir Phillip Crane, but for now, her story remains one of growth, rebellion, and surprising vulnerability.
Francesca Bridgerton
Francesca (Ruby Stokes) has remained more of a quiet presence within the family narrative so far. Still, her time is approaching. She will make her debut as a young woman entering society in season three, setting the stage for the events of Quinn’s sixth novel, When He Was Wicked, which details her marriages to John Stirling and later to Michael Stirling. Reserved yet intriguing, Francesca’s journey promises to bring a different, more introspective perspective to the series.
Gregory and Hyacinth Bridgerton
The youngest Bridgertons—Gregory (Will Tilston) and Hyacinth (Florence Hunt)—have, thus far, played smaller roles. Gregory’s character remains largely undeveloped on screen, though readers know his story will eventually be told in the eighth book, On the Way to the Wedding. Hyacinth, spirited and eager, dreams of the day she can step into her sisters’ shoes and enter the marriage mart herself. Her future will unfold in Quinn’s seventh book, It’s In His Kiss, where her charm and determination will take center stage.
The Sharma Family
Season two brought new intrigue—and new hearts—to London’s social whirl with the arrival of the Sharmas from India. Their purpose: to secure a prosperous and advantageous match for Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran). Accompanying her was her protective elder half-sister, Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), whose sharp wit, strong will, and reluctance to entertain suitors immediately set her apart.
Both sisters attracted the attention of Anthony Bridgerton—though for very different reasons. Kate, wary of Anthony’s intentions and skeptical of his sincerity, worked tirelessly to prevent what she believed would be an unfeeling, practical union between him and Edwina. Yet, in the midst of her resistance, Kate and Anthony’s undeniable connection became increasingly impossible to ignore—by everyone but themselves.
Their mother, Mary Sharma (Shelley Conn), is a gentle yet steadfast figure. Having lost her husband, she raised her daughters with love while navigating financial struggles that made their journey to London both necessary and daunting. Mary’s bond with Kate is particularly strong, viewing her stepdaughter as no less her child than Edwina.
And, of course, no discussion of the Sharmas would be complete without mentioning Newton—the spirited corgi who seems to delight in creating chaos. Mischievous and headstrong, Newton even managed to trip Anthony Bridgerton into a lake, a moment that—unintentionally—became one of the season’s most unforgettable scenes.
The Featheringtons
Bold, brash, and impossible to ignore, the Featheringtons are as infamous for their ostentatious gowns as they are for their relentless social climbing. At the head of the household stands Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), a mother determined—perhaps overly so—to see her daughters married into wealth and respectability. Her schemes, though often questionable, reveal a woman desperate to secure her family’s future in a world where fortune and reputation are everything.
Her late husband, Archibald Featherington (Ben Miller), was far less focused on family ambition. Known for his gambling habits, he faded into the background before meeting a sudden death by the end of season one, leaving Portia to manage the household—and its mounting challenges—alone.
Philippa (Harriet Cains) and Prudence Featherington (Bessie Carter), Penelope’s older sisters, remain comic yet pitiable figures. Despite their mother’s efforts, they continue to search for husbands season after season, their exaggerated personalities and lack of grace making their quest anything but simple.
Penelope Featherington
Beneath the Featheringtons’ garish exterior lies their quietest member—and their greatest secret. Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), often overlooked and underestimated, stunned viewers when she was revealed to be Lady Whistledown, the anonymous author whose scathing pamphlets dictate the Ton’s gossip and fortunes. While her writings give her power in a society that would otherwise ignore her, they have also caused heartache—including the painful sabotage of Marina Thompson’s romance with Colin Bridgerton in season one.
Penelope’s unrequited love for Colin has long shaped her choices, but as season three approaches, her double life and her growing feelings are set to collide in ways that will test her courage and her heart.
Marina Thompson
Marina (Ruby Barker), a distant cousin to the Featheringtons, arrived from the countryside only to spark scandal that shook their household. Her concealed pregnancy, her attempted escape with Colin Bridgerton, and the public revelation of her secret—thanks to Lady Whistledown—forced her to leave London in disgrace. She eventually departed with a new fiancé, Phillip Crane, determined to build a future despite the shadows of her past.
