Romance and SCANDAL
Bridgerton
Available: Christmas Day Genre: Period drama Season: 1 Episodes: 8 Runs: 55-71min
Step into a world of romance and aristocratic intrigue in a lavish drama billed as Netflix’s answer to Downton Abbey. Based on the bestselling novels by Julia Quinn, this racy series follows the love lives of an upper-class family living in Regency London.
Phoebe Dynevor stars as Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family, who makes her debut on the marriage market as the series begins. Her prospects seem to be unrivalled until a high-society scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown (voiced by legendary Hollywood actor Dame Julie Andrews) casts aspersions upon her character.
‘Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers is a gossip column about people in Regency London, but in the series we don’t know who the author is,’ says Phoebe, whose mum Sally Dynevor plays Sally Metcalfe in Corrie. ‘I don’t think things have changed that much when you think about how much we still love celebrity culture!’
Rebellious love
Daphne soon falls for desirable Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (Regé-jean Page), and as their attraction grows, feathers are ruffled in upper-class society. ‘Simon rebels against the social rules, which is exciting and sexy for Daphne,’ explains Phoebe. ‘She’s able to let her guard down with Simon and be herself!’
With a glittering cast that also includes Polly Walker and Ben Miller, this romp is sure to set viewers’ pulses racing. ‘There’s lots of drama and scandal,’ says Phoebe. ‘But it’s pretty sexy, too!’