Bridgerton is a Netflix historical romance series set in Regency era London. Based on Julia Quinn's novels, the show follows the Bridgerton family as they navigate the social season, a period where elite families seek advantageous marriages for their children. Produced by Shondaland, it portrays the competitive and intricate world of London's high society, filled with balls, gossip, and romantic pursuits.
1956: Bridgerton Uses Anachronistic Music
Some classical music pieces used in Bridgerton's first season were composed later than 1813, the year the season is set in, such as Dmitri Shostakovich's Suite for Variety Orchestra, written sometime after 1956.
2001: Inspiration for Bridgerton's Music
The use of classic rock songs in the 2001 film "A Knight's Tale" inspired the orchestral covers of contemporary popular music in Bridgerton season 1.
July 20, 2018: Netflix Announces Bridgerton Adaptation
On July 20, 2018, Netflix announced that Shonda Rhimes, through her production company Shondaland, would produce the screen adaptation of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton novels, with Chris Van Dusen serving as showrunner.
June 19, 2019: Key Cast Members Announced
On June 19, 2019, Julie Andrews was cast as Lady Whistledown. Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page were cast as leads. Other cast members included Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh, and Polly Walker.
July 2019: Bridgerton Season 1 Filming Begins
Principal photography for Bridgerton season 1 began in July 2019.
February 2020: Bridgerton Season 1 Filming Wraps
Filming for Bridgerton season 1 wrapped in late February 2020.
December 25, 2020: Bridgerton Season 1 Debut
Bridgerton season 1 premiered on December 25, 2020.
2020: Bridgerton Sparks Interest in Stately Homes
After the launch of Bridgerton in 2020, stately homes around England, including Ranger's House, saw a surge in interest and visitors. Walking tours of filming locations were also created.
2020: Bridgerton Premieres on Christmas Day
Bridgerton premiered on Christmas Day of 2020, offering viewers a lighthearted escape during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 2021: Bridgerton Season 2 Officially Announced
In January 2021, Bridgerton season 2 was officially announced, focusing on Anthony, based on the book "The Viscount Who Loved Me".
January 21, 2021: Jonathan Bailey to Lead Season 2
On January 21, 2021, Jonathan Bailey was announced to reprise his role as Anthony, leading the show's second season.
January 27, 2021: Netflix Announces Bridgerton Viewership
On January 27, 2021, Netflix announced that Bridgerton had become its most-watched original series launch with 82 million households watching at least two minutes of the first season, amounting to 625 million hours viewed.
March 2021: Bridgerton Season 2 Production Begins
Production on Bridgerton season 2 began in March 2021.
April 5, 2021: New Cast Members for Season 2 Announced
On April 5, 2021, Charithra Chandran, Rupert Young, Shelley Conn, and Calam Lynch joined the season 2 cast.
April 13, 2021: Bridgerton Seasons 3 and 4 Officially Announced
On April 13, 2021, show creator Chris Van Dusen officially announced the renewal of Bridgerton for a third and fourth season.
April 2021: Bridgerton Renewed for Seasons 3 and 4
In April 2021, Bridgerton was renewed for a third and fourth season.
May 2021: Netflix Orders Bridgerton Prequel
In May 2021, Netflix ordered a limited prequel series focused on a young Queen Charlotte, a character not featured in the Bridgerton novels. The spin-off was written by Rhimes, who also served as executive producer alongside Betsy Beers and Tom Verica.
May 2021: Filming Permit Denied for Sunninghill Park
In May 2021, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead refused permission for a Bridgerton season 2 film set in Sunninghill Park.
May 28, 2021: Rupert Evans Cast as Edmund Bridgerton
On May 28, 2021, Rupert Evans joined the cast as Edmund Bridgerton, the deceased family patriarch.
July 15, 2021: Bridgerton Season 2 Production Briefly Paused
On July 15, 2021, production for Bridgerton season 2 was paused for 24 hours due to a crew member testing positive for COVID-19.
August 2021: Bridgerton Season 2 Production Resumes
Production for Bridgerton season 2 resumed in August 2021 after being halted due to positive COVID-19 tests.
September 2021: Bridgerton Season 2 Preview at Tudum
A preview of a scene from Bridgerton season 2 aired during Netflix's Tudum: Extended Talent Panel in September 2021.
October 2021: Squid Game Surpasses Bridgerton
In October 2021, Squid Game surpassed Bridgerton as the most-watched original series launch on Netflix.
November 20, 2021: Bridgerton Season 2 Production Wraps
Production for Bridgerton season 2 wrapped on November 20, 2021.
2021: "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical" and the "Bridgerton Effect"
In 2021, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear released "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical", a concept album inspired by season 1 of Bridgerton. The series also influenced fashion and interior design trends, known as "Regencycore" or "the Bridgerton effect," leading to increased searches for corsets, headpieces, and gloves.
February 14, 2022: Bridgerton Season 2 Teaser Trailer Released
The first teaser trailer for Bridgerton season 2 was released on February 14, 2022.
March 22, 2022: Bridgerton Season 2 World Premiere
Bridgerton season 2 had a world premiere at Tate Modern in London, England on March 22, 2022.
March 25, 2022: Bridgerton Season 2 Premiere
Bridgerton season 2 premiered on March 25, 2022.
April 2022: Bailey and Ashley to Return for Season 3
In April 2022, Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley were confirmed to return for season 3 as Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton.
April 2022: Production Designer Fired from Bridgerton Prequel
In April 2022, production designer Dave Arrowsmith was fired from the Bridgerton prequel series following allegations of abusive behavior and bullying on set.
May 2022: Castle Howard Opens "Bridgerton" Exhibition
Castle Howard opened an exhibition in May 2022 titled "Castle Howard on Screen: From Brideshead to Bridgerton".
May 22, 2022: The Simpsons Parodies Bridgerton
The May 22, 2022 season finale of The Simpsons parodied Bridgerton with a period drama titled "Tunnelton", featuring a narrator similar to Lady Whistledown and a scene echoing Anthony's lake emergence in season 2.
July 2022: Bridgerton Season 3 Filming Begins
Principal photography for Bridgerton season 3 began in July 2022.
July 2022: New Cast Members Join Season 3
In July 2022, Daniel Francis, Sam Phillips, and James Phoon joined the cast for season 3 in undisclosed roles.
July 2022: Netflix Sues Creators of "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical"
In July 2022, Netflix sued Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear for copyright infringement after they presented songs from their album "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical", which was based on the series, in concert at the Kennedy Center.
September 2022: Netflix Announces Title and First Look of Bridgerton Prequel
In September 2022, Netflix announced "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" as the title for the prequel series and released the first look.
October 2022: Hannah New Joins Season 3 Cast
In October 2022, Hannah New joined the season 3 cast as Lady Tilley Arnold.
January 2023: Phoebe Dynevor Will Not Appear in Season 3
In January 2023, Phoebe Dynevor confirmed she would not appear in season 3.
March 2023: Bridgerton Season 3 Filming Wraps
Bridgerton season 3 wrapped filming in March 2023.
May 2023: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Release
In May 2023, "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story", a spin-off series focused on Queen Charlotte, was released.
2023: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Novelization Released
A novelization of the Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story series, written by Rhimes and Quinn, was released by Avon Books in 2023.
May 16, 2024: Bridgerton Season 3, Part 1 Premiere
The first part of Bridgerton season 3 premiered on May 16, 2024.
June 13, 2024: Bridgerton Season 3, Part 2 Premiere
The second part of Bridgerton season 3 will premiere on June 13, 2024.