Dearest Reader,
It has been said that the second season of Bridgerton will be making its return to Netflix on the twenty-fifth of March, a reappearance that many have been longing for ever since the immensely addictive first season.
For those of you who missed the show in the long and anxiety-including first year of the pandemic, or for those who simply need a refresher, the first season of Bridgerton follows the tale of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. Utterly engrossing, Bridgerton was all the buzz that year with its refreshing take on the classic Regency romance, complete with a diverse cast of characters that made the story even richer.
The original Bridgerton novels, of which there are eight (which hopefully means eight seasons!) were written by Julia Quinn and published in 2000. Each novel focuses on one of the eight Bridgerton children and follows their stories as they fall in love. The novels are enjoyable and easy reads, although they don’t mention any diverse characters. That’s a decision that American television production company Shondaland took, and which paid off as audiences were utterly captivated to see a Black Queen and a Black Duke, among others, as it focused on the first novel The Duke and I.
Like any book-to-show adaptation, the Bridgerton TV show takes many liberties. For example, we don’t quite find out the identity of Lady Whistledown until several books in, whereas in the show it’s revealed at the end of the first season. Also, the show is chock full of nudity and sex, a fact that might make it an awkward show to hunker down with the family to watch–viewer, you have been warned!
The second season is based on the second book in the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and follows the story of Anthony Bridgerton. If you found Anthony stuffy, overbearing, and even slightly annoying in the first season, you’ll be happy to know he gets his comeuppance in this story arc as he now must battle the desperate mamas of the ton. And he isn’t as adept at it as he would hope as he casts his eye for a pretty but dumb bride. He settles on Edwina Sheffield (or Sharma in the show) but struggles to impress her older sister, Kate. Kate is headstrong and not exactly besotted with the darling of the ton, the oldest Bridgerton sibling. They constantly butt heads and sparks begin to fly as Anthony must decide who his heart truly belongs to.
The Viscount Who Loved Me is a classic enemies-to-lovers story, so if you love seeing two characters bickering and fighting before realizing their undying love for each other, then you will enjoy this! Kate is a relatable heroine, especially having grown up in a smaller home and family, unlike the famous Bridgertons. The hijinks that Kate gets up to while trying to protect her sister and denying her growing feelings for Anthony are hilarious and entertaining.
Just like the first season, Bridgerton’s producers continued the trend of maintaining a diverse cast and changed Kate Sheffield to Kate Sharma, causing South Asian women everywhere to rejoice. That’s just one of the changes from the book to the show, and there are bound to be many more. So, stay tuned! Bridgerton Season 2 returns to Netflix on March 25th.
If you find yourself bingeing your way through the second season and wondering what happens next to the Bridgertons, this Author recommends picking up the next book in the series, An Offer From a Gentleman. It has been said things get even juicier…
Yours Truly,
Check It Out Blogger Ikhlas H.
Featured Image Credit: Netflix
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