Ready to promenade with the ‘ton?

After almost two years, Bridgerton is back for another season! A period drama that was compared to Gossip Girl, the Shondaland and Chris Van Dusen series took the world by storm with its storyline and steamy scenes. Set in the 19th century, Julia Quinn’s series is a collection of eight novels based on the eight Bridgerton children. The first season was based on Daphne and the Duke of Hastings, but it will be all about Lord Anthony for the second season.

Watch the official trailer of Bridgerton Season 2 here:

In a roundtable interview with select press from the Philippines, we had a chat with Jonathan Bailey who reprises his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton, Simone Ashley, and Charithra Chandran who plays the new characters, Kate Sharma and Edwina Sharma. They talk about the lessons viewers can learn from their characters, what it was like wearing costumes, and if they got to keep anything from the show. Read the interview below:

For Simone and Charithra, what was it like joining the cast? For Jonathan, what was it like slipping back into the role and welcoming new cast members? 

Simone Ashley: Oh gosh, it was so exciting. It happened to me really quickly so I didn’t really have a second to fully process it. I remember my first week of filming, we were all together filming a scene at the races and it was the perfect way to kickstart it all. The scenes we were playing with were just a lot of fun, I just came out of my shell and get to know everyone. They were super welcoming and warm, I wouldn’t have asked for a better start.

Charithra Chandran: It’s such a big show and it can be a bit intimidating at first but everyone was so welcoming. Even though there are hundreds of people on set, it feels actually really intimate on a day-to-day basis. It feels quite close and familial — so easy to get comfortable.

Jonathan Bailey: I was really looking forward to it. I think we were all excited to come back through the pandemic and also celebrate the show and what we had to experience when it came out the first time around. 

What’s your favorite part in shooting Bridgerton season 2?

Simone Ashley: I love the days when we’re all together. So if we’re filming the balls or a certain scene where everyone’s in. I think we just have such a laugh and the best time. I think that’s a massive factor to this job in general, just all of us getting on and making the most of this.

Jonathan Bailey: And those ball days feel like Bridgerton at its absolute best. Not only for the viewers to watch it but it’s where all the departments are on set and everyone’s presence is huge. 

Charithra Chandran: Everything is at its peak, isn’t it? The design, the costumes. Everyone’s there!

Simone Ashley: We always anticipate that week.

Jonathan Bailey: Yeah, they take a long time and they require a lot of stamina. It’s obviously brilliant to be involved in this production, but mainly you get to see the best people at the top of their game. 

Lord Anthony and Kate’s chemistry is palpable in the show. How do you think that translated well on the screen?

Jonathan Bailey: I think the chemistry between Kate and Anthony is something that everyone has loved so much in the books. It’s so important for the romance genre, for the chemistry to be the underlying thing that carries these amazing love and sweeping stories. But I think what’s really interesting about these two characters is that they have so much to overcome. It’s the enemies to lovers trope which is tried and tested. It’s fascinating to me because it’s entrenched in something psychological, and the enemies to lovers show that there’s a big journey. 

And so I think we were both equally matched in our enthusiasm for telling a story that is about yearning, it’s about withholding, and it’s complicated. The moment we met, it was a click. It’s also a testament to the show and the creative values that they can edit and elevate, and performance is only part of it. Every department is working at its absolute maximum to ensure the chemistry comes through. I’m glad you could sense the sizzle.

What do you think that people say this story of Anthony is the best of the series?

Jonathan Bailey: Obviously, I completely agree. I read the Viscount Who Loved Me before accepting the role and I always knew that this book was going to come second, much like in the same way that it does in the literary canon. I think Anthony has experienced a lot and that’s probably a reason why I’m drawn to him. What’s brilliant about Simone is that I think we would fight tooth and nail to prove that we are the biggest fans of Kate and Anthony, more than anyone who’s read the book. You feel really protected with the character and especially the characters that are so well loved. But you have to bring your own part, your own element to it, and hope that it also inspires in the same way the books did. 

What are your thoughts on the Queen’s standard when choosing the season’s Diamond? Should women, in the Bridgerton set up, seek this much approval from her?

Charithra Chandran: I think the standards are kind of unattainable and ever-changing which is sort of the point of the Diamond. Perfection is expected yet perfection isn’t actually set or explicitly stated. And then the risk of that is that any woman can be tainted so easily by lies or by preferences. Certainly, the way the Queen uses these kind of expectations function in society can be a way to yield power over young women, by expecting us to uphold the standards whatever they may be. I think it’s controlling and it’s difficult for young women to find their independence and uniqueness within that. So I say, set your own standards and follow that. 

Jonathan Bailey: And also with your performance. Because the arc of Edwina is so striking that is also another element of representation — seeing a female story within a world where gender roles are so specific and the outward affirmation is what drives all the young women to see Charitra’s character take agency, hopefully, will inspire as well. 

What is the greatest lesson people could learn from your character?

Charithra Chandran: With Edwina, self-love is arguably the most important love. Often when you’re a woman, specifically a woman of color, your life can be determined a lot by obligation and sacrifice. And it takes a lot of courage to step out and choose yourself. So, choosing yourself takes courage — I’d say that’s the biggest lesson.

Simone Ashley: Follow your heart. Go and get your love. I think that was something Kate was afraid to do and do something for herself. 

What was it like wearing those gorgeous costumes? 

Simone Ashley: Wearing the costume was incredible. Just absolutely amazing color, design, the hand tailoring, everything! 

Charithra Chandran: And it never gets old. You’d think after eight months, you wouldn’t be amazed by these dresses and then each time they smash it and keep raising the bar. So we’re very lucky. And they’re all couture so they’re all handmade perfectly for our measurements! 

Jonathan Bailey: The character progression is also expertly reflected in design choices. We were filming in the pandemic and the supply change completely disintegrated, so it puts so much pressure on the costume department. And yet, they were so resourceful and they managed to get materials all over the world.

Charithra Chandran: All the jewelry is handmade for use. Some of the lace is from a specific mill in France and they create the design and get it done. It’s craftsmanship across the world that’s utilized for the show.

Speaking about wardrobe, did you get to keep anything from the show? 

Simone Ashley: I’m gonna be really honest. Netflix kindly provided a taco truck on our last week and I think I had eight beef tacos. And then I had to do a scene where Kate is running around, panicking. Great time though! 

Jonathan Bailey: I nearly got a plinth. All of the plinths were sculpted and there was one that was a sort of bust and there was a moment where I was like “I’m about to take it” but it’s quite a hard thing to sneak into. But I got given the watch. I felt connected with Anthony but there was just the gorgeous detail of the watch and I got it in a box.

Charithra Chandran: I did not take anything. Not because I didn’t want to or I have a thing against taking it but I was too afraid of getting caught. So if I knew I would get away with it, I 100% would have taken many things. But there are a few things that I hope I can ask for once the show comes out. 

Bridgerton Season 2 premieres today, March 25, on Netflix. Stream here.

ABOUT BRIDGERTON
RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2022
EPISODES:  8 episodes x 1 hour
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Shondaland
CREATOR/SHOWRUNNER: Chris Van Dusen
DIRECTORS: Tricia Brock (201, 202), Alex Pillai (203, 204), Tom Verica (205, 206), Cheryl Dunye (207, 208)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:  Chris Van Dusen, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica
STARRING: Adjoa Andoh, Lorraine Ashbourne, Simone Ashley, Jonathan Bailey, Harriet Cains, Bessie Carter, Charithra Chandran, Shelley Conn, Nicola Coughlan, Phoebe Dynevor, Ruth Gemmell, Florence Hunt, Martins Imhangbe, Claudia Jessie, Calam Lynch, Luke Newton, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Thompson, Will Tilston, Polly Walker, Rupert Young, and Julie Andrews