SO WHO ARE THE BRIDGERTONS?

The Bridgertons are an aristocratic family, and this first series focuses on the ‘coming out’ season for Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest girl of eight siblings. A striking beauty, she’s named the star debutante of 1813 by Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), and her success in the ‘marriage mart’ – where she will attempt to find a rich suitor – seems secured. But her rakish big brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), who is head of the family following their father’s death, is so picky he frightens off all her suitors.

Daphne’s labelled a flop by the mysterious gossip Lady Whistledown (the narrator, voiced by Julie Andrews), who writes a weekly society scandal sheet. In despair, Daphne agrees to a deal with the Duke of Hastings, Anthony’s friend Simon Basset (Regé-jean Page, right with Phoebe). He’s one of the most eligible bachelors around but he’s determined not to marry. Pretending there’s affection between them will make her more alluring to other suitors, and also keep the jostling debs and their terrifying mothers away from Simon. But their plan soon goes awry… Over the road live the ostentatious Lord and Lady Featherington (Ben Miller and Polly Walker), whose three daughters aren’t having much luck with suitors either.