With the Bridgerton novels finally being adapted for the screen, it was only a matter of time before the creatives behind the project announced who would be filling the roles of the titular eight-sibling family. TVLine reports that over a dozen roles have been filled this week after having previously cast Dame Julie Andrews. The series will be a collaboration between major production company Shondaland and Netflix.
The Bridgerton series, by Julia Quinn, features eight novels, a collection of short stories, and two novellas, and reads a bit like an early nineteenth century Gossip Girl. Narrated by the unseen Lady Whistledown (Andrews), the story is set during the period of London Regency high society, about 1813 to 1827. The series follows the Bridgerton children after their father, the late Viscount’s death. As they all reach marriageable age, it would seem not all of them have marriage on their minds. The names of the Bridgerton children are Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Only the roles of Anthony, Colin, Daphne, and Eloise have been cast along with the matriarch of the family, Lady Violet.
Anthony will be played by John Bailey (Broadchurch), Colin will be played by Luke Newton (The Lodge), Daphne will be played by Phoebe Dynevor (Younger), Eloise will be played by Claudia Jessie (Line of Duty), and Lady Violet will be played by Ruth Gemmell (Penny Dreadful). Other roles that have been cast include Simon Basset (the Duke of Hastings), Queen Charlotte (a victim of the gossip), Penelope Featherington (also of marriageable age), Siena Rosso (a local, budding opera star), Marina Thompson (a Featherington cousin), Lady Danbury (town dowager), and Lady Portia Featherington (Featherington matriarch). They will correspondingly be played by Regé-Jean Page (For The People), Golda Rosheuvel (Lady Macbeth), Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls), Sabrina Bartlett (Victoria), Ruby Barker (Wolfblood), Adjoa Andoh (Doctor Who), and Polly Walker (Rome).
While the show isn’t set to premiere until at least 2020, it promises to be a less violent Game of Thrones with more family politicking and romance galore.