Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey teases season two as first-look clip released

Words: Alastair James; pictures: Attitude and Netflix

Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey has said fans can expect a lot of passion and “volatility” from his character in the second season of the hit Netflix show.

As part of a Netflix global event online called TUDUM (referencing Netflix’s signature login sound), Jonathan was joined by fellow season one cast member Nicola Coughlan, as well as new cast members Charithra Chandran and Simone Ashley for a segment on the Regency era show.

As well as taking part in a short Q&A, viewers were also treated to a brief clip featuring Jonathan meet new character Kate (Ashley).

“A lot of arguing”

Not revealing any major spoilers (despite coming very close) Jonathan says Anthony Bridgerton “gets to deal with a lot of things that I think he hasn’t been given space to deal with,” in the show’s second season.

“Obviously I’m completely aware of the toxicity of his character and the control and manipulation of his actions in series one. But I’ve never doubted him being a brilliant and kind person,” the Olivier Award-winner continued.

On what fans can expect from Anthony’s relationship with newcomer on the scene Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), the Company actor says there’s a lot of “volatility,” with Ashley agreeing, stating there was “a lot of arguing,” between the two. Sound like Anthony may have met his match…

Responding to a question about the cast’s reaction to Bridgerton becoming one of the top 10 series in almost every country, Jonathan said: “It was completely nuts”.

Remembering a fan event that took place over a month before the show’s release, which featured 2,000 very excited and supportive people the former Attitude cover star added: “When all of that’s happened you go to bed at night, and you think ‘I’m in something I’m incredibly proud of’”.

He also described the show as a “carnival of joy”.

Jonathan Bailey as Viscount Anthony Bridgerton in Bridgerton (Photo: Netflix)

Jonathan also revealed that the scene from the end of the first season where it’s revealed that Penelope Featherington was the Regency era gossip girl Lady Whistledown, was actually a reshoot.

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope in the show, added that a different ending had been filmed, much to the surprise of her cast members and us!

“We did know because it’s in the books” Jonathan admits when asked about whether the cast knew who Lady Whistledown’s true identity was.

Jonathan’s character, Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, has also earned the nickname “Sideburns” by American comedian and TV host Stephen Colbert.

However, said sideburns, which Jonathan reveals were real, won’t be making an appearance in the second season, having “shrunk in the wash”.

Watch a clip from the second season of Bridgerton, which will be available on Netflix in 2022.

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