Meet the PLAYERS

Breaking down the entanglements in Netflix’s sweeping, lavish adaptation of BRIDGERTON.

The BRIDGERTONS

A rambunctious, loving family of eight children—including dutiful Anthony and no-nonsense Eloise. Season one finds Daphne (Younger’s Phoebe Dynevor), the family’s eldest daughter, out on the debutante circuit looking for true love. “Daphne doesn’t fit into any boxes,” says Dynevor. “She has the elegance of Audrey Hepburn and the quirkiness of Bridget Jones.”

The FEATHERINGTONS

The somewhat-outlandish, somewhat-outcast in-your-face “new money” family—whom the cast and crew had taken to calling the Kardashians of the series on-set—is grounded by whip-smart Penelope (BFFs with Eloise), a fan-favourite character who is played with warmth and wit by Derry Girls scenestealer Nicola Coughlan.

The DUKE

Simon Basset (For the People’s Regé-Jean Page) is the dashing yet tortured man all of society is chasing after. A Shondaland regular, Page was well equipped for the breakneck speed that comes with Rhimes’ productions. “It freaked out the British actors because they’re not used to scripts like this,” he says. “It’s sexy and kinetic, and that’s why it will pop like a diamond.”

Lady WHISTLEDOWN

The OG Gossip Girl, this sharp-tongued writer—who’s voiced by the Julie Andrews, nbd—throws the debutante season into an utter frenzy with her anonymous gossip column. “Julie Andrews is a legend, and she’s incredible,” says showrunner Chris Van Dusen. “Viewers are going to be really surprised by some of the things they hear her say.”