Netflix released teaser trailer for Shonda Rhimes’ (Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19) first series for the streaming service, via TVLine. Based on the novels by Julia Quinn (The Duke and I, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton), Bridgerton is a period drama following the sordid love happenings of high society Londoners. As seen in the trailer below, viewers are guided through the narration of Lady Whistledown, a gossip columnist played by Dame Julie Andrews (The Sound of Music, The Princess Diaries).
The series is the first project from Rhimes’ overall deal with Netflix. According to TVLine, the series is created by Chris Van Dusen (Private Practice, Scandal) with Rhimes and Betsy Beers (200 Cigarettes, The Hoax) executive producing through Rhimes’ production company Shondaland.
According to TVLine, Phoebe Dynevor (Younger) plays Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter of wealthy family who is scheduled to marry soon. In her search for a husband, she meets the Duke of Hastings, played by Regé-Jean Page (For the People, Sylvie’s Love). The two detest each other, but the heart wants what it wants as “their attraction is undeniable, and sparks fly as they find themselves engaged in an increasing battle of wits while navigating society’s expectations for their future,” via the show’s synopsis according to TVLine.
The cast includes an array of colorful characters. According to TVLine, the Bridgerton clan is comprised of Johnthan Bailey (Crashing, Broadchurch), Claudia Jessie (Vanity Fair, Porters), Luke Thomson (Dunkirk, Kiss Me First), Luke Newton (The Lodge, The Cut), Ruby Stokes (Una, Rocks), Will Tilston (Goodbye, Christopher Robin), Florence Hunt (Cursed), and Ruth Gemmell (Fever Pitch, Utopia). The next family is the Featheringtons played by Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Harlots), Bessie Carter (Howards End, Les Miserables), Harriet Cains (Mercury, Line of Duty), Polly Walker (Rome, John Carter), and Ben Miller (Paddington 2, Johnny English Strikes Again). The cast is rounded out by Ruby Barker (How to Stop a Recurring Dream, Cobra), Adjoa Andoh (Invictus, Fractured), Golda Rosheuvel (Luther, Silent Witness), Sabrina Bartlett (The Crossing, Game of Thrones), Martins Imhangbe (The Tragedy of King Richard the Second), and Lorraine Ashbourne (King Kong, Child 44).
According to TVLine, the eight-episode drama is slated for a Christmas Day release.