Bridgerton, season 2, the Shondaland saga set in Regency England, shifted its focus to Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey). He needed a wealthy bride in order for his family to continue its luxurious and prestiged position in society without anybody ever working a day.
Early in season 2 of Bridgerton, such a prospect appeared. She was Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran), come from India for the season in search of a mate.
A little Sharma backstory: Edwina’s mother, Lady Mary Sharma (Shelley Conn), fled England for India to be with a common clerk. For this offense, her parents disowned her. But her child would inherit a fortune if she married a proper Englishman. The clerk Lady Mary married already had a child, Edwina’s older half-sister Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). All three were in England ready to get Edwina married off.
Of course, Lord Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma fell in love the minute they met. Even so, Lord Anthony proposed to Edwina and things were supposed to lead to a marriage. Nothing but simmering sexual tension existed between Anthony and Kate for most of the season. Where were all those sexy times from season 1? (Where is Regé-Jean Page when you need him?)
Fear not, dear reader, simmering eventually comes to a boil.
Speaking of dear readers, Lady Thistledown continued to rake in the shillings with her gossip rag. Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) was still obsessed with figuring out who Lady Thistledown was. Her best friend Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) wasn’t telling.
Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) named Edwina Sharma the ‘diamond’ of the season. Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) encouraged the selection. Being named diamond gave Edwina status as the most desirable catch of the season.
Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), Lady Danbury, and the Queen all tried to manipulate the season with balls and events designed to create the marriages the way they wanted them to go. The high society intrigue, gossip, and extravagance were not changed from season 1. There was lots of talk about marrying for love, although most the the characters in the story were desperate for money.
Women directors in season 2 included Cheryl Dunye and Tricia Brock. And, oh my gosh, kudos to the team making the Queen’s headdressings. Bigger and better than ever. How does Golda Rosheuvel manage with those contraptions on her head?
What did you think of this season of Bridgerton?
After you’ve finished watching the season, you may enjoy seeing Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran break down the wedding scene.