Ruth Gemmell plays Violet Bridgerton (née Ledger), Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton
The Bridgertons are a tight-knit and well-respected family in the ton composed of the widow and eight children of the late Edmund, 8th Viscount Bridgerton. They live between Bridgerton House in Mayfair and Aubrey Hall, their country home, in Kent.
Anthony, 9th Viscount Bridgerton (played by Jonathan Bailey) is the eldest Bridgerton child and the head of the family. He became Viscount at a young age after witnessing the sudden death of his father, which left him traumatised, closed-off, and fearful of love and loss. Anthony is the lead character of the second novel, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and of the second season of the series.
Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson) is the second eldest Bridgerton child. As the "spare" of the family, he is less concerned with conforming to society and discovers a passion for art and a more bohemian lifestyle. Benedict is the lead character of the third novel, An Offer from a Gentleman, and of the fourth season of the series.[2]
Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton) is the third Bridgerton child. He struggles with a lack of purpose and spends much of his time travelling. Colin is the lead character of the fourth novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, and of the third season of the series.
Daphne Basset (née Bridgerton), Duchess of Hastings (played by Phoebe Dynevor) is the fourth Bridgerton child and eldest daughter of the family. In the books, she is in her second season and lacks worthy suitors because most men consider her "too friendly"; in the series, she is the season's "incomparable", a highly sought after debutante, whose chances at a match are repeatedly sabotaged by her overprotective brother Anthony. Daphne is the lead character of the first novel, The Duke and I, and of the first season of the series.
Eloise Bridgerton (played by Claudia Jessie) is the fifth Bridgerton child. She is frustrated by her limited options as a woman and would rather educate herself than engage with the season or settle down. Eloise is the lead character of the fifth novel, To Sir Phillip with Love.
Francesca Stirling (née Bridgerton), Countess of Kilmartin (played by Ruby Stokes in seasons 1–2, and Hannah Dodd in season 3–) is the sixth Bridgerton child. She is more reserved than the rest of her family and spends most of the first two seasons away practicing pianoforte. Her debut takes place in season 3. Francesca is the lead character of the sixth novel, When He Was Wicked.
Gregory Bridgerton (played by Will Tilston) is the seventh Bridgerton child and youngest son of the family. Gregory is the lead character of the eighth and final novel, On the Way to the Wedding.
Hyacinth Bridgerton (played by Florence Hunt) is the eighth and youngest Bridgerton child. Despite her young age, she often tries to involve herself in the exploits of her older siblings. Hyacinth is the lead character of the seventh novel, It's In His Kiss.
Violet Bridgerton (née Ledger), Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton (played by Ruth Gemmell in Bridgerton, and Connie Jenkins-Greig in the prequel) is the mother to the Bridgerton children and Edmund's widow. She had a poor reaction to her husband's premature death and became emotionally absent, but has since transformed into a loving and protective matriarch for her family, though she occasionally lacks awareness of her children's deeper anxieties.[3]
Edmund, 8th Viscount Bridgerton† (played by Rupert Evans in a flashback) was the father of the Bridgerton children and Violet's husband. He unexpectedly died in 1803 from an allergic reaction to a bee sting.[4]
Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (played by Regé-Jean Page) is an eligible suitor who returns to London during the season, having sworn against marriage and children due to a vow he made to his abusive father on the latter's deathbed. He makes a pact with Daphne Bridgerton to feign a courtship to serve both their interests, leading to a growing attraction between them. In the books, he becomes a supporting character after the first novel; however, Page exited the series after the first season with Simon occasionally mentioned in passing.
Kathani "Kate" (née Sharma), Viscountess Bridgerton (played by Simone Ashley) is, in the series, a newcomer to the ton from India and a designated "spinster" at the age of 26; in the books, the character's name is Katharine Grace Sheffield and she is the daughter of a baron's younger son from Somerset. While trying to prevent Anthony Bridgerton from courting her younger sister Edwina, Kate and Anthony are drawn to each other, to the initial horror of both. In the series, like Anthony, Kate had to step up to raise her sister after their father's death and carries the burden of responsibility in her family.[5]
Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington) (played by Nicola Coughlan) is a friend of Eloise Bridgerton who lives in the house across the road. In the series, she is the youngest Featherington daughter; in the books, there is a fourth daughter, Felicity. A seemingly naïve wallflower, Pen is revealed to be the anonymous gossip columnist Lady Whistledown (narrated by Julie Andrews) at the end of the first season, something not revealed by the books until the fourth novel. She has harboured a secret infatuation for Eloise's brother Colin for many years.
Sophie Baek (played by Yerin Ha) is a maid "who’s been forced to spend much of her life working for the most demanding employer in the ton."[6] In the books, the character's name is Sophia Maria Beckett, and she's the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood, who was forced to become a maid by her cruel stepmother after the earl's untimely death.
Sir Phillip Crane (played by Chris Fulton) (Sir Phillip in the books) is a baronet and the younger brother of Marina Thompson's lover George. After George dies in battle, Philip takes it upon himself to marry Marina to care for her and her children. He has a keen interest in botany. In the books, he is introduced in the fifth novel as a recent widower and single father.
John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin (played by Victor Alli) meets Francesca Bridgerton during her debut in season 3, and they bond over their shared introversion. In the books, John and Francesca marry at some point after An Offer From a Gentleman and before Romancing Mister Bridgerton. They have a genuine and uncomplicated love, which makes Francesca feel guilty for finding love again after his death.
Family members
Portia, Dowager Baroness Featherington (played by Polly Walker) is the matriarch of the Featherington family, known for her tacky fashion sense and various schemes to marry off her daughters.
Prudence Dankworth (née Featherington) (played by Bessie Carter) and Philippa Finch (née Featherington) (played by Harriet Cains) are the older Featherington daughters. Philippa marries Albion Finch◊ (played by Lorn Macdonald), and Prudence marries Harry Dankworth◊ (played by James Phoon) in the series. In the books, Philippa marries Nigel Berbrooke, while Prudence marries Robert Huxley.
Marina, Lady Crane (née Thompson) (played by Ruby Barker) is, in the series, a Featherington cousin from a rural gentry family. Her lover George Crane left her pregnant when he went off to war, and died before he could fulfill his intention to marry her. She tries to marry Colin to cover up her pregnancy and ensure her child's wellbeing, but the plan falls through when Lady Whistledown exposes her. She later accepts the proposal of George's brother Sir Philip and gives birth to twins Oliver and Amanda. In the books, Marina is a Bridgerton cousin who dies of pneumonia before the events of To Sir Phillip with Love.
Archibald, Baron Featherington† (played by Ben Miller) is the head of the Featherington family and a known gambler. Already deceased in the books, he appears in the first season of the series.
Jack, Baron Featherington◊ (played by Rupert Young) is a cousin of Archibald and the presumed heir to the Featherington estate upon the latter's death. He is a conman who claims to own ruby mines in America, which are later revealed to be unprofitable and the rubies, counterfeit.
Edwina Sharma (played by Charithra Chandran) (Sheffield in the books) is Mary's daughter and Kate's younger half-sister, a sheltered yet ambitious "diamond of the season". She has many suitors but chooses to court Anthony Bridgerton, much to Kate's dismay and despite Anthony's stated lack of interest in a love match. In the novel, despite Anthony's courtship, Edwina notices the attraction between him and Kate, and is thrilled when they later marry. She loves books and falls for (and later marries) Mr. Bagwell, a scholar. In the show, more naive and attached to the idea of becoming viscountess, she does not notice until the last minute, causing a temporary rift between her and Kate.
Shelley Conn
Lady Mary Sharma (née Sheffield) (played by Shelley Conn) (Sheffield in the books) is Edwina's mother and Kate's stepmother. In the series, she refused a more eligible suitor in order to marry Kate's father, a secretary from India, and is nervous about returning to England. She is kind but oblivious, leaving Kate in charge of the family's practical matters.
Lord and Lady Sheffield (played by Anthony Head and Shobu Kapoor) are Mary's parents and Edwina's grandparents in the series. In the books, Kate and Edwina's father is surnamed Sheffield, and Mary is a Sheffield by marriage.
The Duke of Hastings† and Sarah Basset, Duchess of Hastings† (played by Richard Pepple and Daphne di Cinto in flashbacks) are Simon's parents. Simon's mother died in childbirth, and his father put a great deal of pressure on his son and shamed him for having a stutter in his youth.
Royalty
The royals are only in the background of the books. Queen Charlotte was expanded upon in Bridgerton, becoming the subject of the prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and its novelisation penned by Shonda Rhimes and Julia Quinn.[7] Although they are based on real-life historical figures, the depiction of royal characters in the two series is largely fictional.
King George III (played by James Fleet in Bridgerton, and Corey Mylchreest in the prequel) is based on the real king. As in real life, he has gone mad by the time of Bridgerton.
Members of the ton
Adjoa Andoh
Lady Agatha Danbury (née Soma Anderson) (played by Adjoa Andoh in Bridgerton, and Arsema Thomas in the prequel) is an insightful doyenne and powerful matron of the ton. She mentored Simon Basset growing up. She later sponsors Mary and her daughters' stay in London as a favour for an old friend. In the books, Lady Danbury gets along well with Hyacinth Bridgerton, who reads pulp novels to her. In the prequel series, young Agatha was unhappily married to an older man, and had an affair with Lord Ledger after his death.
Lady Cowper and Cressida Cowper (played by Joanna Babin and Jessica Madsen) are a gossipy mother and snooty daughter. Cressida competes with Daphne Bridgerton in the 1813 season for the affections of Prince Friedrich, and threatens to expose Daphne's kiss with Simon Basset in the garden. Later, she takes interest in Jack Featherington, believing him to be wealthy. Season 3 gives Cressida a more sympathetic portrayal. At risk of being married off to a fun-hating elderly man, she falsely claims credit for Lady Whistledown.
Nigel, Baron Berbrooke (played by Jamie Beamish) is a baron who courts Daphne in the first book and first season and tries to corner her into marriage. Caroline Quentin plays Nigel's mother Lady Berbrooke◊.
Sir Henry Granville◊ (played by Julian Ovenden) is an artist who introduces Benedict to the bohemian underworld in the first season of the series. He is gay, in an open marriage with his wife Lucy◊ (played by Sandra Teles) and secret relationship with Lord Wetherby◊ (played by Ned Porteous).
Lord Lumley◊ (played by Louis Gaunt) courts Edwina with his knowledge and talent in poetry.
Thomas Dorset◊ (played by Sam Frenchum) went to Oxford with Anthony, who enlists Dorset to distract Kate from Edwina. He later shows interest in her and invites her on a boat ride, making Anthony jealous.
Other members of the ton in the first two seasons include Kitty Langham◊ (played by Céline Buckens), Lady Trowbridge◊ (played by Amy Beth Hayes), Lord Fife◊ (played by Bert Seymour) and Lord Cho◊ (played by Caleb Obediah).
Lord Alfred Debling◊ (played by Sam Phillips) is a horticulturalist and great auk conservationist who courts Penelope Featherington in season 3.
Lord Samadani◊ (played by David Mumeni) is Queen Charlotte's friend from Vienna and a marquess. She attempts to set him up with Francesca Bridgerton, as they both have seven siblings.
Lord Marcus Anderson◊ (played by Daniel Francis) is Lady Danbury's brother who comes to London from the countryside for a change and grows close to Violet Bridgerton.Katie Leung
Lady Tilley Arnold◊ (played by Hannah New) is a widow whom Benedict befriends and has an affair with. She has no wish to remarry and is happy to control her late husband's estate.
Lady Araminta Gun (played by Katie Leung) (Gunningworth in the books) is the mother of Rosamund and Posy Li.
Rosamund Li (played by Michelle Mao) (Reiling in the books) is Araminta's older daughter, who is beautiful, vain and resolute to getting what she wants.
Posy Li (played by Isabella Wei) (Reiling in the books) is Araminta's younger daughter, who is kinder and more friendly, and often ignored by her mother.
Working class
Martins Imhangbe
Will Mondrich◊ (played by Martins Imhangbe) is a boxer and Simon Basset's friend. He is based on the real life boxer from the time Bill Richmond, his name being a spoonerism. He retires from boxing and later starts his own gentleman's club with his wife Alice◊ (played by Emma Naomi). After the death of a distant aunt, their son inherits the title Baron of Kent, making the family new members of the ton.
Siena Rosso (played by Sabrina Bartlett) is an opera singer and Anthony's mistress in the first season. Their tumultuous relationship comes to an end before he meets Kate and Edwina. In the book The Viscount Who Loved Me, her name is Maria Rosso, and she has a brief conversation with Anthony that Kate overhears.
Madame Genevieve Delacroix◊ (played by Kathryn Drysdale) is the mysterious local modiste who fakes being French and makes dresses for the ladies of the ton. She has an affair with Benedict in the first season. In the second, she helps Penelope with her Lady Whistledown business.
In season 2, Benedict has an affair with model Tessa◊ (played by Emily Barber).
Theo Sharpe◊ (played by Calam Lynch) works at the print shop. Eloise meets him in season 2 while she investigates Lady Whistledown, and he introduces her to feminist texts and organizations. However, they are forced to stop seeing each other when Whistledown exposes Eloise for sneaking off unchaperoned to fraternise with "political radicals".
Servantry
Brimsley◊ (played by Hugh Sachs in Bridgerton, and Sam Clemmett in the prequel) is the Queen's secretary. The prequel reveals that he is gay and had been in a relationship with the King's secretary Reynolds (played by Freddie Dennis).
Rose Nolan◊ (played by Molly McGlynn) is Daphne's maid and confidant.
Jeffries (played by Jason Barnett) is the Bassets' butler.
Mrs Varley◊ (played by Lorraine Ashbourne) is the Featheringtons' housekeeper and Portia's confidant.
Mrs Wilson◊ (played by Geraldine Alexander) is the Bridgertons' housekeeper.
Humboldt (played by Simon Ludders) is the Bridgertons' butler.
John◊ (played by Oli Higginson) is a Bridgerton footman who is friends with Eloise.
Rae◊ (played by Rose Hesmondhalgh) is Penelope's maid.
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