The Bridgerton family is one of the most esteemed dynasties of Regency England’s ton. And for good reason — their patriarch is a viscount, they spend their summers at Aubrey Hall and each of the family’s eight (!) children is named in descending alphabetical order. We’re not kidding.
Based on the novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton follows the namesake family as they navigate the trials of the social season, from love and courtship to scandal sheets penned by the notorious Lady Whistledown. Just like Quinn’s first book in the series, The Duke and I, Season 1 centers on the fourth child in the family, Daphne, as she makes her debut on the marriage mart and learns what it really means to burn for someone — if you know what we mean.
But before any real tea is spilled, we’re here to set the scene of the ton so you can keep track of who’s who on Bridgerton, just like Lady Whistledown needs to take note of all the comings and goings of high society’s most valuable players.
Here’s your own personal pamphlet to keep at your side just as closely as Queen Charlotte does her bevy of Pomeranians.
The character: The incomparable of Season 1, Daphne is the picture-perfect young debutante and the apple of the Queen of England’s eye. That is, until a new girl in town comes along to shake up the marriage mart. As Daphne is eager to be a wife and mother, she hatches a plan with an unlikely suitor to sweeten her chances… but their ruse leads to something quite unexpected — and more dear than any charade.
The actor: Before making a splash in London high society of 1813, the British actress starred in period dramas like Dickensian. She also portrayed 1920’s British pottery artist Clarice Cliff in Sky Cinema’s The Colour Room. Dynevor got her start on British mainstay series Waterloo Road as Siobhan Mailey. She’s also appeared in Prisoners’ Wives as Lauren and in The Village as Phoebe Rundle. For more modern fare, you may recognize Dynevor from Snatch and Younger, where she played Irish bartender Clare O’Brien. As of 2021, Dynevor is set to executive produce Exciting Times, which will be adapted from Naoise Dolan’s debut novel of the same name. She will also star in the upcoming thriller I Heart Murder. For all the fans of the original Call My Agent, keep your eyes peeled for Dynevor in the British remake of the series.
The socials: Follow Dynevor on Instagram, where this diamond has shared many a glimpse of life on set as a Bridgerton.
The character: Back in London Town from his latest adventure raking across Europe, Simon is unimpressed with the ton’s mammas hoping to match him with their daughters. To his surprise, he forms an alliance with his best friend’s younger sister to get them — and Lady Whistledown — off his back. But over time, he discovers that he doesn’t necessarily know who he’s trying to fool anymore.
The actor: Regé-Jean Page is a favorite not only of the ton, but also of Shondaland. He previously starred as Leonard Knox in For the People before throwing on his buckskin breeches in Bridgerton. But one of Page’s first breakout roles was starring as Chicken George in the 2016 adaptation of Alex Haley’s novel, Roots. Page also made appearances in Gimme 6, Waterloo Road, Sylvie’s Love and The Merchant of Venice. Page is also in a musical group with his brother, Tose Page, called TUNYA. You can listen to his dulcet tones in the podcast series The Harrowing and in his narration of the nature documentary Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale. Coming up, Page will return to Netflix in The Gray Man — bespectacled, no less — and will appear in Dungeons & Dragons. But if you are desperately craving more of the duke and his spoon, give Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 a gander. You just might see a familiar face in the wedding scene. Mischief managed.
The socials: Follow Page on Instagram and Twitter. The rogue has taken some time off from his dukely duties to share a peek from the set.
The character: Viscount Anthony Bridgerton has the weight of the world on his shoulders, managing the affairs and livelihood of his family after the death of his dear father. This capital “R” rake surely seeks to relieve some of his tension from time to time… frequenting the opera house for a tryst with the marquee singer. Anthony is the eldest of the Bridgerton children, and his love story is chronicled in Quinn’s second Bridgerton novel, The Viscount Who Loved Me. But who could possibly bring the viscount to his knees? You’ll just have to wait till Bridgerton Season 2 to find out.
The actor: Jonathan Bailey is an Olivier Award-winning performer, winning best actor in a supporting role in 2019 for his turn as the gender-bent Jamie in Marianne Elliott’s West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company at the Gielgud Theatre. He starred as part of the production’s first same-sex couple. He teamed up with Elliott again to star in a West End revival of the Mike Bartlett play Cock opposite Taron Egerton. Grab your tickets while you can, as the show is running through June 2022. Bailey also starred in a production of the Jason Robert Brown musical The Last Five Years, playing Jamie alongside Samantha Barks. On screen, Bailey is known for his roles as Sam in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Crashing, Ash in Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum, Oliver Stevens in crime drama Broadchurch and Jack Patterson in W1A. This London boy broke onto the scene by starring as a teenage Leonardo Da Vinci in the BBC adventure series Leonardo. He can also be seen in Hot White Heist, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Testament of Youth, Hooten & the Lady, The Mercy, The Young Messiah and a 2014 episode of Doctor Who.
The socials: Follow Bailey on Instagram.
The character: The widowed matriarch of the Bridgerton family, Lady Violet Bridgerton, always tries to lend a kind and supportive hand when she can to her darling brood — especially when it comes to shepherding each and every one of them on the marriage mart to find a true love match just like she did.
The actor: Before appearing as the doting mamma to the Bridgerton clan, Ruth Gemmell starred with another period drama legend, Colin Firth, in 1997’s Fever Pitch. Maybe that’s where her Bridgerton son, Anthony, gets his penchant for emerging from a lake in a soaking wet shirt. Moving on… Gemmell is also known for her roles in Penny Dreadful, Dancing on the Edge, Home Fires, Utopia, Doc Martin, The Fades and Deep State. She has also appeared in the films Storage 24, Offender and Good. Gemmell has taken to the stage as well, performing in productions of Still Alice at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Betrayal at the Sheffield Crucible, Coram Boy for the National Theatre and The Weir for the Royal Court. She’s a frequent player for the Royal Shakespeare Company and has been featured in productions of Macbeth, King Lear and Midwinter.
The socials: Lady Bridgerton is far too busy raising her eight children to have time for social media.
The character: Benedict Bridgerton is what one would call a libertine. A hedonist with a painter’s heart, Benedict embraces his status as the second son in Season 1. He revels in the pleasures of Regency London’s underground art world — both on the canvas and behind the closed doors of the neighborhood modiste’s shop. But he also takes his role in his family seriously, often finding himself bonding with his younger sister, Eloise, on their childhood swing set. The third book in Quinn’s series, An Offer from a Gentleman, centers on this refined gentleman indeed.
The actor: Luke Thompson is quite the artist off-screen as well — he drew portraits for his Bridgerton family as wrap gifts on Season 1. You may have caught the RADA-trained actor on the beaches of France in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk or alongside Keira Knightley in Misbehaviour. He’as also appeared in Making Noise Quietly, Kiss Me First and In the Club. Onstage, Thompson is a veteran of Shakespeare’s Globe, as he has performed in productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Blue Stockings and Julius Caesar at the hallowed venue. He’s also appeared in Robert Ike’s The Oresteia and Hamlet. Thompson played Edgar opposite Sir Ian McKellen as King Lear on the West End and has been nominated for the Evening Standard’s best newcomer award.
The socials: Benedict prefers his life to be unveiled in his paintings rather than online.
The character: Colin Bridgerton is trying to find his place in his family as the third son in the Bridgerton line. Searching the world to find himself on his travels, this hopeless romantic and natural charmer just might be looking for love in all the wrong places. But all’s well that ends well for this sojourner in Quinn’s fourth Bridgerton novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, where Colin finally realizes who his true love match really is — and who he is, in turn.
The actor: Luke Newton’s first on-screen role was as Luke Attwood in BBC Two teen drama The Cut before appearing in the series Doctors, Sadie J and Mr. Selfridge. He also appeared in the Syfy TV movie Lake Placid: Legacy. A singer on Bridgerton and in real life (he has his own YouTube channel where he shares his renditions of popular songs), Newton also starred as Ben Evans in the musical series The Lodge. Trained at the BRIT School followed by the London School of Musical Theatre, Newton in fact began his career on the West End as part of the original cast of The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
The socials: Follow Newton on Instagram and Twitter. Newton’s shared a few snaps from set, including table reads with the Featheringtons and not-so-subtle nods to fan favorite ships of the series.
The character: The ton is not Eloise Bridgerton’s cup of tea — literally. She’d much rather be spending time with her best friend Penelope Featherington or stuffing her nose in a book — when she’s not busy aiding the Queen in unmasking the identity of Lady Whistledown, of course. This second-born daughter, who always speaks her mind, yearns for independence in the great wide somewhere rather than feeling confined in the Cult of Domesticity. She often finds solace in her brother Benedict, who similarly feels out of step with the restrictions of society. Quinn’s fifth Bridgerton novel, To Sir Phillip, with Love, follows Eloise as she charts her own course — like she always does.
The actor: English period dramas are old hat for Claudia Jessie, as she’s well known for her portrayal of Amelia in ITV/Amazon’s Vanity Fair. She also appeared in Defending the Guilty, Line of Duty, on the sitcom Josh, as Lucy in Porters and in a 2018 episode of Doctor Who. You may have previously stumbled upon Jessie as you were making your way through your Netflix queue, as she’s featured in Call the Midwife and Lovesick. Off-screen, Jessie is a Brand Ambassador for Barnardo’s in the UK, heading their Look Good, Do Good campaign. Unlike Eloise, who doesn’t have a penchant for music on Bridgerton, Jessie is a singer in her own right — she sang on The Paideia Movement’s song “Holla” and was featured in the music video. Coming up, Jessie’s set to appear in the miniseries Bali 2002.
The socials: Eloise couldn’t possibly be expected to take time away from her search for Lady Whistledown to make any social media accounts.
The character: Francesca Bridgerton is staying with relatives in Bath for the majority of Season 1, but returns home excited to catch up on all she’s missed while she’s been away. Francesca’s story is told in Quinn’s sixth Bridgerton novel, When He Was Wicked.
The actor: Aside from Francesca on Bridgerton, Ruby Stokes’ series roles include Lucy Carlyle on Lockwood & Co, Lilah on Shortflix, Amelia in Da Vinci’s Demons, Little Lucy in Not Going Out and the glorious Grumpy Girl in Just William. Additionally, Stokes has appeared in short films including Nosebleed, It’s Going to Be Okay and Shagbands. Stokes can be seen in the films A Banquet, Una and Rocks.
The socials: Follow Stokes on Instagram and Twitter. Even though Francesa didn’t seem to be in London all that much during the social season, Stokes certainly was — she grabbed some BTS shots of the Bridgerton clan to prove it.
The character: The baby brother of the Bridgerton brood, Gregory isn’t known for playing nicely at the table — even when high-ranking guests like the Duke of Hastings come over for dinner. Instead, he chooses to spend his evening flicking his peas at his sister. Although he isn’t seen all that much in Season 1, Gregory is the focus of the last book in Quinn’s Bridgerton series, On the Way to the Wedding.
The actor: Before Bridgerton, the English actor played the younger version of Christopher Robin (aged 9) in Goodbye Christopher Robin alongside Domhnall Gleeson and Margot Robbie.
The socials: Follow Tilston on Instagram.
Florence Hunt, left, as Hyacinth Bridgerton.
The character: Hyacinth Bridgerton is the precocious youngest daughter in the Bridgerton family, and she’s taller than her older brother Gregory, she’ll have you know. Basically the second coming of her erudite sister Eloise, Hyacinth takes the lead in Quinn’s seventh Bridgerton novel, It’s in His Kiss.
The actor: When not peppering the Duke of Hastings with questions, Florence Hunt is known to most Netflix viewers for wielding magical powers as Young Nimue in Cursed. Trained at the Nottingham TV Workshop, Hunt has appeared onstage in productions including the Chitty Bang Bang tour and Sleeping Beauty at the Lichfield Garrick. She also played the role of Vera in Force Majeure, directed by Michael Longhurst at The Donmar Theatre.
The socials: Follow Hunt on Instagram, where she’s shared some sweet posts with her Bridgerton siblings.
The character: What would the ton be without Penelope Featherington? Sure, she’s Eloise’s best friend and soul sister from across the square. But beneath her wallflower exterior and the *shudder* yellow dresses her mother forces her to wear lies a smart, caring, fierce observer — and her mind is almost as sharp as her… Pen. While she’s less than thrilled about making her debut on the marriage mart, at least she has Colin Bridgerton there to liven up the season and twirl her around for a dance.
The actor: Nicola Coughlan is one of the Derry Girls through and through. She’s portrayed Claire Devlin for three seasons of the series, which is set in Derry, Northern Ireland, during the end of The Troubles in the ’90s. She and her Derry Girls castmates even competed in an episode of the beloved Great British Baking Show: Holidays. This Galway girl is also known for her portrayal of Hannah Dalton on Harlots and has appeared in Doctors and Svengali. Onstage, Coughlan performed in productions of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at the Donmar Warehouse and Jess and Joe Forever at The Old Vic, the Orange Tree Theatre and Edinburgh International Festival.
The socials: Follow Coughlan on Instagram and Twitter. Coughlan has shared a number of photos with her castmates, BTS memories and snippets from getting ready on set. Coughlan also posted a photo from her pal Jonathan Van Ness’ (Queer Eye, Getting Curious) set visit.
The character: Lady Danbury is the most indomitable member of the ton, and her veracity whips those around her into shape — including her honorary godson, Simon. Wealthy, witty and wise, she’s the pillar of self-possession.
The actor: Andoh has bridged two massive Netflix fandoms between her roles as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton and Nenneke in The Witcher. For her work on Bridgerton, Andoh received a NAACP Image Award nomination in 2021 for outstanding supporting actress. Recently, Andoh starred in Fractured and Silent Witness. The British actress has also appeared in regular roles on Dr. Who, Casualty, EastEnders and Law & Order UK. She made her Hollywood debut in 2009 in the film Invictus and can also be seen in Adulthood, Brotherhood and I Is a Long Memoried Woman. Andoh is renowned for her work onstage as well, for lead roles as Condoleezza Rice in Stuff Happens at the National Theatre and as Serafina Pekkala in His Dark Materials. She played Portia in Julius Caesar for the Royal Shakespeare Company (which transferred to the West End and played New York and Moscow), Ulysses in Troilus & Cressida and Helen of Troy in The Odyssey. In 2019, Andoh conceived, co-directed and played Richard II at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in the UK’s first all women-of-color production. She’s also been a BBC radio actor for over 30 years and has narrated over 150 audiobooks. Andoh holds the roles of associate artist at the Royal Shakespeare Company and senior associate artist at The Bush Theatre. She was recently appointed as the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre, based at St. Catherine’s College in the University of Oxford. If you thought Lady Danbury had a handle on the ton, she’s got nothing on Andoh in real life.
The socials: Follow Andoh on Instagram and Twitter.
The character: The Featheringtons get more than they bargained for when their cousin Marina Thompson comes to stay with them for the social season. She becomes one of the most sought-after debutantes on the marriage mart. But her sudden arrival is more than a regular old family visit. Marina is keeping secrets that will break more than one heart in the ton this season.
The actor: Ruby Barker’s first on-screen role was as Daisie in Wolfblood, followed by appearances on Doctors in 2017 and 2019. She also played the witch in the Humanist “Ring of Truth” music video and Georgia Nixon in Cobra. She made her feature film debut as Yakira in How to Stop a Recurring Dream and took home the best actress award from the British Urban Film Festival for her performance. Her next screen role will be in Baghead. Barker also played Buttercup in the BBC radio play of The Princess Bride.
The socials: Follow Barker on Twitter and Instagram, where she’s posted many behind-the-scenes outtakes from the Bridgerton set — including a shot with the author of the Bridgerton novels herself, Julia Quinn.
The character: The Queen of Regency England, Charlotte must never cease to be entertained. She has her wigs, her corgis and her decision on the season’s diamond on her plate. But when Lady Whistledown catches the ton’s attention, she must put a stop to the scribe stealing her thunder.
The actor: Golda Rosheuvel has appeared in many films including Dune, Lady Macbeth, Coma Girl and Lava. On television, Rosheuvel can be seen in Death in Paradise, Silent Witness, A Confession, Luther, EastEnders, Dead Boss, Coronation Street and Holby City. Rosheuvel’s work on the stage would more than thrill Queen Charlotte on a night at the theatre. She has performed in productions of Othello, The Big I Am, Carmen Jones (at The Old Vic), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (at the Gielgud Theatre), We Will Rock You (at the Dominion Theatre), The Tempest, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra (for the Royal Shakespeare Company on the West End), Romeo and Juliet (at Shakespeare’s Globe), Porgy and Bess (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The American Clock, A Christmas Carol and Electra. Additionally, she has appeared onstage in Now We Are Here (at the Young Vic), Angels in America (at the Headlong Theatre), The White Devil (at the Menier Chocolate Factory), Juliet and her Romeo (at the Bristol Old Vic) and The Winter’s Tale (for Schtanhaus/Headlong Theatre).
The socials: Follow Rosheuvel on Instagram and Twitter. She’s posted some jolly snaps out on the town with her castmates — this time, out of costume.
The character: Lady Portia Featherington has her nose in everyone’s business with lofty ambitions for her three girls Penelope, Prudence and Philipa to marry well — especially if that means ridding them of the cousin taking attention away from her daughters. While her exterior may seem prickly and avaricious, she’s a lioness who’ll always protect her cubs.
The actor: The Lancashire native has become a fixture on screen, having stolen scenes for three decades. Most recently, she’s been renowned for her portrayal of AC-12’s corrupt lawyer Gill Biggeloe in the BBC One police drama Line of Duty. She starred as Peggy Sykes in the DC Comics crime drama Pennyworth and as the lead role of Bel in BBC One drama Age Before Beauty. Period drama fans may know Walker for her portrayal of Jane Fairfax in the 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen novel Emma. Walker has also appeared in the films Patriot Games, Enchanted April, Sliver, Restoration, Clash of the Titans, Scenes of a Sexual Nature, 8 ½ Women and as the tilular role in Lorna Doone. Walker received a Golden Globe nomination for playing Atia of the Julii in the television series Rome. You can also see her in the series State of Play, Prisoners’ Wives and Mr. Selfridge. Walker’s theatrical work includes Finding the Sun at the National Theatre, Hess is Dead for the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Almeida, the Royal Shakespeare Company Tour of Hamlet, and playing Phoebe in As You Like It at the Old Vic.
The socials: Follow Walker on Instagram.
The character: Madame Genevieve Delacroix is the modiste a la mode of Mayfair on Bridgerton. Hemming skirts as deftly as she whispers gossip in her fitting sessions, Delacroix is one of the most in the know women of the ton, which raises suspicion within one inquisitive Bridgerton and piques the desire of another. She’s also dear friends with another working woman in London high society, opera singer Siena.
The actor: Before sewing up the debutantes under the rule of Queen Charlotte in Regency England, Kathryn Drysdale ran with a different generation of royals, as she portrayed Meghan Markle in the television series The Windsors. She’s also known for playing Grace Shelley opposite James McAvoy in the West End revival of Peter Barnes’ play The Ruling Class. You may be familiar with Drysdale’s appearances as Taylor in St. Trinian’s, as heiress Rhoda Swartz in Vanity Fair and as Louise Brooks in the long-running BBC comedy series Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. Additional starring roles for Drysdale include Natalie Jones in Benidorm and Lizzie in Tripping Over. She also appeared as Bliss in a 2016 episode of Doctor Who. Recently, Drysdale has appeared in Circle Square, the podcast series Getting Better as Dr. Eva Calloway, Bottersnikes & Gumbles, Zapped and New Blood.
The socials: Follow Drysdale on Twitter and Instagram, where she has posted a multitude of photos of her time on the Bridgerton set, in costume (she’s the modiste, after all) and of her “lovely” co-stars.
The character: Will Mondrich is a strapping and tenacious boxer rising through the ranks of London society trying to provide for his family. He’s also a close friend of the Duke of Hastings, and the two often go a few rounds to let off some steam. His character was created for the show and is actually based on a real boxer, Bill Richmond, who was born into slavery in the US and went on to be the world’s first Black sporting superstar.
The actor: Martins Imhangbe starred as Happy Loman in the acclaimed production of Death of a Salesman alongside Wendell Pierce at the Young Vic Theatre in London before traveling back in time to Regency England on Bridgerton. A distinguished stage actor, Imhangbe also performed in productions of Absolute Hell at the National Theatre, An Adventure and The Royale at the Bush Theatre, and The Tragedy of King Richard II at the Almeida Theatre, for which he received a nomination at the Ian Charleson Awards in 2019. Trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Imhangbe is also an associate artist in the Complicité Theatre Company.
The socials: Follow Imhangbe on Instagram and Twitter. Imhangbe has cataloged his bromance with co-star Regé-Jean Page on his social media accounts, in addition to outtakes from his boxing scenes and his budding family on screen.
The character: Siena Rosso is a chanteuse who hits all the right notes on stage — and in the apartments of one raffish Viscount. Rosso is a working woman of the ton, hired to sing at the most lavish of balls and center stage at the opera house. But a clandestine affair can only satisfy Siena for so long, and she luckily has her fellow businesswoman Madame Genevieve Delacrois to confide in for her troubles… and to share a drink with on occasion.
The actor: Sabrina Bartlett first broke onto the scene as Katie in the miniseries The Passing Bells, although she’d previously appeared as the Maid Marian in a 2014 episode of Doctor Who. Aside from her role as Siena in Bridgerton, Bartlett has been in a myriad of costume and period dramas including Poldark, Da Vinci’s Demons, Game of Thrones, Versailles, Knightfall and Victoria. Most recently, Bartlett portrayed Mariette Larkin in the series, The Larkins.
The socials: Follow Bartlett on Instagram, where she’s shared peeks into her preparation to play Siena, behind-the-scenes shots from set, and beach snaps with her on-screen love, Jonathan Bailey.
The character: Just as Kristen Bell was the voice of Gossip Girl, so too Julie Andrews is the voice of Regency England’s most notorious gossipmonger. She tattles the tales of the ton’s deepest secrets in her scandal sheets, and everyone is on the hunt to discover this author’s identity.
The actor: Only someone as illustrious and regal as Dame Julie Andrews could bring the voice of Lady Whistledown’s society papers to life. A stage actress at her core, Andrews made her professional debut on stage in The Boy Friend in 1954, before playing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the titular princess in the 1957 television special of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She won an Oscar for her performance as the magical nanny Mary Poppins, who taught us all that it takes a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. She’s also widely regarded for her portrayal of Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. She next starred in films including The Americanization of Emily, Hawaii, Torn Curtain, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Tamarind Seed, 10, S.O.B., That’s Life and Duet for One. She also starred in the sitcom Julie and hosted her own variety show called The Julie Andrews Hour. Andrews performed in productions of Victor/Victoria on film and then later on Broadway. The legendary British actress has played a number of queens in her time as well, as Queen Clarisse in The Princess Diaries and Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (which was actually written by Bridgerton executive producer Shonda Rhimes) and as Fiona’s mother, the Queen of Far, Far Away in Shrek 2 and Shrek Forever After. She’s also voiced the Narrator in Enchanted and in The King’s Daughter, Gru’s Mom in the Despicable Me series and Karathen in Aquaman. Andrews directed a revival of My Fair Lady at the Sydney Opera House for Opera Australia in 2016 and she co-created and hosted a children’s educational program called Julie’s Greenroom.
