Bridgerton season 2; release date, trailers, photos, new cast members, plot and more

Shonda Rhimes' adaptation of Julia Quinn's book series Bridgerton was arguably the biggest show on telly Christmas 2020... if Netflix technically counts as telly that is.

The quirky costume drama was an instant hit across the board and if you didn't watch all eight episodes in one go, well, then you have more restraint than us.

Set in 1813 Regency England, everything in series one was to die for; the humour, the costumes, the scandals and, of course, the heartthrobs.

But we need more!

Netflix has confirmed series 2 as well as 3 and 4, which almost makes up for the news that the Duke of Hastings won't be returning. Almost.

But can the new season live up to the first?

But when can we expect another season? And what do we know so far? Don't scroll down if you haven't finished season one yet, there are spoilers ahead!

Get ready to meet a new leading lady and prepare yourself for another social season scattered with swooning debutantes.

Bridgerton Season 2: Is it happening?

Bridgerton's renewal for season two was confirmed by the streaming giant in January 2021.

There are eight books so plenty more to adapt.

Bridgerton Season 2: when will it be released?

Netflix has confirmed the Bridgerton season 2 release date as 25 March 2022. Don't worry it's a Friday so you won't need to book the next day off work after binging all the episodes overnight.

Cast and crew got together for a preview of episode one in November, and were pleased with what they saw.

Bridgerton Season 2: What's it about?

There are eight books in Julia Quinn's series, each focusing on one of the alphabetically named Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth; though not in that order.

While season one mostly draws from the first book The Duke and I, season two will focus on the second book The Viscount Who Loved Me, which is about eldest brother Anthony [played by Jonathan Bailey], the girl he intends to marry, and her meddling half-sister Kate.

Author Julia Quinn also shared a peek of the cover of the season 2 episode 1 script, by way of show runner Chris Van Dusan, revealing the episode's title 'Captial R Rake'. Presumably referring to Anthony Bridgerton's gallivanting and promiscuity.

Bridgerton Season 2 photos

Just weeks from the 2nd season Netflix shared four new stills from season 2, one showing six of the eight Bridgerton siblings, one of new leading lady Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) sharing some intense eye contact with Anthony Bridgerton, one of her with her sister and of course, one of Nicola Coughlan's Penelope Featherington.

The official Bridgerton Instagram also shared the posters for the season, and we have to say, the older ladies are smashing it! These debutante's should take note.

To brighten up grizzly January, Netflix blessed us with an earlier batch of exciting stills from the upcoming series.

Bridgerton season2 full trailer

Bridgerton Season 2 Teaser trailers

The first teaser trailer saw sparks flying between new leads.

Bridgerton Season 2: Who are the cast?

In March 2021 Netflix announced the show's new leading lady, Simone Ashley, best known for playing Olivia in Netflix's Sex Education, cast as Miss Kate Sharma; "Newly arrived in London, Kate is a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools — Anthony Bridgerton very much included."

And author Julia Quinn is thrilled with the casting too, writing: "We have our Kate! Welcome to #Bridgerton, @simoneasshley! I couldn’t dream of a more perfect Kate. I mean, just LOOK at her expression in that first photo!"

Her mother and sister were then anounced: Charithra Chandran will play Edwina Sharma, Kate’s younger sister, and Shelley Conn will play Mary Sharma, Kate’s mother.

The other other new cast members are Calam Lynch, who will play Theo Sharpe and Rupert Young, who will play Jack.

We're also going to see Rupert Evans as the late father of the family, Edmund Bridgerton, presumably through flashback and memory sequences similar to those of the Duke of Hastings in season one.

Lady Whistledown announced the sad news of the Duke of Hastings' departure in April. While this came as a shock to most, Regé-Jean has admitted he knew from the get-go that it was a one-time thing.

“It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year,” he told Variety. “[I thought] ‘That’s interesting,’ because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on."

We expect to see the return of Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown, Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), and the rest of the core cast including Claudia Jessie, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, and Polly Walker.

Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker) departed at the end of season one with a seemingly finite ending but could re-enter the story at some point.

Bridgerton Season 2: What's happening to the other characters?

Nicola Coughlan told Radio Times that the final episode of the season features some very "heavy" scenes."The drama has amped up a lot," she said. "As I say, we're shooting all those big dramatic scenes for the end. It's exhausting but very satisfying."

It remains to be seen whether Penelope's secret identity as Lady Whistledown will be exposed to the other characters during season two, but Coughlan has promised that, either way, viewers at least will get to see more of her character's private life.

"Those final moments of series one was definitely a peek into her life," she said. "I think in series two you kind of see how the sausage gets made and all that's happening.

We're more than ready to see what the residents of the ton have been getting up to since the first season ended and Coughlan revealed that we will get to see how two of Penelope's closest relationships have developed.

"Her and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), you get to explore their relationship [in season two], they've become closer in this sort of gap [since] we've last seen them," she said, adding that we will also see Penelope's best friend Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) debut into society.

"Claudia Jessie and I get to [go to] the other balls together," she said. "She is just a joy and a delight, I love building scenes with her."

As for Lady Dansbury, a maternal figure to the Duke of Hastings, actress Adjoa Andoh told Digital Spy how his departure will impact her character,

"Well, if you remember, at the start of season one, the Duke had been absent for a while," she said.

"Lady Danbury has many fish to fry, and many people who she loves and wishes to challenge and support – you'll see more of that going forward."

She added: "I think there's plenty to keep Lady Danbury busy, Duke or no Duke. There are pies with her fingers in, all over."

Bridgerton Season 2: How many series of Bridgerton could there be?

Showrunner Chris Van Dusen told The Wrap: "There are eight books, they are about eight siblings. And in success, I would love to be able to explore stories and romances for every Bridgerton sibling. Of course, I would love to be able to do that."

Eight series of Bridgerton? Yes please.

Until then, the show looks set to run well into the mid '20s, with seasons three and four confirmed in April.

Bridgerton season 3 and 4: What will they be about?

What could happen in those series? Book three is titled An Offer From a Gentleman, and follows the story of dazzlingly beautiful maid Sophie Beckett (who we haven't yet met).

Book four, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, focuses on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). We can't say what Shonda Rimes has planned for the characters, but we know for sure it'll be eminently watchable.

It's likely we'll also get to see more of the younger Bridgertons now that Francesca is back from a summer playing piano, and Hyacinth and Gregory will start to get older as the series goes on.

Bridgerton prequel: Young Queen Charlotte Spinoff

It has been revealed that a second show in the Bridgerton franchise is in the works! A prequel series based on the origins of Queen Charlotte. Shonda Rhimes will be writing and producing the spin off which will also feature young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury.

There's so much in store! We can't wait to devour all of it.

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