The record-breaking Netflix period piece, Bridgerton, has cast two additional characters for its upcoming second season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Alongside Charithra Chandran (Alex Rider) and Rupert Young (Dear Evan Hansen), who were cast earlier this week, Calam Lynch (Benediction) and Shelley Conn (Liar) have officially joined the cast of the show’s second season.
Following the love lives of the eight siblings of the wealthy and powerful Bridgerton family, the first season of Bridgerton centered around the eldest daughter, Daphne, played by Phoebe Dynevor (Snatch), on her quest to marry for love rather than status. The debut season broke records, making it the most-watched Netflix series of all time, having been watched by 82 million households. The second season will follow suit with the Bridgerton book series by Julia Quinn that it was based on; Anthony Bridgerton, the family’s eldest son and child, will navigate the marriage market following the birth of his sister’s child in the first season.
The female lead of the second season was previously cast as Simone Ashley (Kill Ben Lyk), who will play the love interest of Anthony, who is played by Jonathan Bailey (Crashing). Chandran will play Edwina Sharma, the younger sister of Kate, who is played by Ashley. Young and naive, Edwina searches for the perfect love match after being trained to be a classy debutante by her sister. Conn will play the role of Mary Sharma, who makes her return to London after leaving due to being embroiled in a family scandal. Lynch was previously announced to play the role of Theo Sharpe, an intellectual printer’s assistant who fights for the rights of all. Young has also been announced to play the role of Jack, who maintains a relationship with one of the most powerful families in the city.
Production for the second season of Bridgerton will begin this month in London. Season two will be based on Quinn’s second novel, entitled, The Viscount Who Loved Me. News of these additional cast members comes just as the show’s lead, Regé Jean Page (For the People), has announced his departure from the show. Having now completed his contractual obligation for a one-season deal, the Duke of Hastings will not appear in Bridgerton‘s second season. Because each season of the show will be based on Quinn’s respective novel, Page’s departure from the series is in-line with what the producers had originally envisioned. Although, Dynevor’s character, the Duke’s wife, is still slated to appear in the upcoming season, helping her brother through deciding which of London’s most eligible brides to spend the rest of his life with, just as he did in the show’s debut season.