Anthony vs Colin: Which Bridgerton Is the Better Romantic Lead?

Anthony vs. Colin: Which Bridgerton Is the Better Romantic Lead?

Welcome to MsMojo, and in this installment of versus, we’re pitting Viscount Bridgerton against Mister Bridgerton: Anthony or Colin, who’s Netflix’s best romantic lead?

Round 1: Tropes

“Bridgerton” has always relied on classic tropes; we started strong with Daphne and Simon’s fake courtship, but then went to a whole new level with Kate and Anthony’s enemies-to-lovers story. Enemies-to-lovers can be a tricky trope to get right, since you don’t want to make the characters SO adversarial that we can’t believe they’re going to fall in love. But Kanthony’s take on this trope was perfect, and it guided the story from the beginning all the way through to their bickering in their season 3 scenes. We were LIVING for their simmering rivalry, with them both denying their feelings until it was almost too late, and that’s why they became instant fan-favorites.

But how have Colin and Penelope fared? Following Kanthony is no easy task, and friends-to-lovers is perhaps not as compelling right off the bat. But falling in love with one of your closest friends is an ideal way to build any relationship, and it’s something plenty of people have experience in – as opposed to Kanthony’s high-drama. Polin had two seasons to build up their relationship, with Colin the perpetual, oblivious love interest who somehow can’t see how much Penelope means to him. However, we definitely haven’t seen as much of their friendship as we’d like, since Colin has spent a lot of season 3 part 1 avoiding Penelope!

We have to give this round to Anthony for perfectly embodying his trope in a way that Colin just doesn’t.

WINNER: Anthony 1 / Colin 0

Round 2: Glow Up

Hearts across the globe began to beat a little faster when the first promotional images for “Bridgerton” season 3 came out. We were all surprised by Luke Newton’s makeover, as the boyish Bridgerton was left behind in favor of a more rugged, world-weary Colin. Newton grew out his sideburns and ditched the quiff for a more mature vibe. Like Simon before him, Colin often abandons the Regency’s lavish scarves for a rebellious, open collar look that sends the Ton wild. He changes so much that his siblings barely recognize him when he arrives at the beginning, charming everybody he meets.

Anthony, on the other hand, didn’t have the same transformation. In fact, Jonathan Bailey cut his hair AND sideburns between season 1 and season 2, making him look maybe a little too modern. His wardrobe certainly improved, though, with the show putting him in even darker colors, to fit with his reputation as London’s most notorious rake. Other than that, though, Anthony’s appearance changed very little – though personality-wise, we love a man who learns to connect with his feelings. And we also can’t blame him for changing his hair after that devastating break-up with Siena – that’s something we can ALL relate to.

Colin easily puts Anthony to shame here, and we hope that in season 4, Anthony takes a few fashion tips from his younger brother to break out of that stuffy, Regency mold.

WINNER: Anthony 1 / Colin 1

Round 3: Heroism

Anthony was the PICTURE of gallant when, in season 2’s penultimate episode, he rode through the rain to ask Kate to marry him – only for her to fall and hit her head. Anthony carried her through the storm and got her to safety, and it’s not clear whether she’d have survived if he hadn’t been there. This is undeniably the most heroic thing to have happened in “Bridgerton” thus far, and we’re glad Netflix didn’t make us wait to see whether Kate would be okay. Anthony also put his life on the line to duel Simon for Daphne’s honor. While duelling is completely ridiculous, Anthony WAS still trying to be a gentleman, however misguided.

Colin got his own heroic moment in season 3 part 1, though, when the Ton all goes to see a hot air balloon. While the Dankworths are attempting to ‘liaise’ behind a tent, a rope tying the balloon comes loose, on an extraordinarily windy afternoon. As the balloon comes undone, Colin is first to seize the ropes. Penelope’s life is saved when Colin just barely manages to hold back the basket, though it’s hard to say that this entire scene wasn’t extremely contrived. It’s also difficult to say whether Penelope was in any real danger even if the basket HAD hit her. It was a poor replacement compared to Kate’s fall, and the wind is NEVER as romantic as the rain.

We have to give it to Anthony this time. Rescuing someone from a head injury is much more serious than rescuing them from a balloon.

WINNER: Anthony 2 / Colin 1

Round 4: Sense of Humor

Season 3 has leaned into romcom tropes more than the previous two – though, much of Simon and Daphne’s fake-dating shenanigans definitely fit. Colin is widely celebrated in the Ton for his ability to always come up with something witty to say. Considering Penelope is also known for her wit by those who actually take the time to befriend her, they’re great every time they’re on screen together, playing off each other very well. Having a good sense of humor is a coveted quality in a potential partner, and while Eloise may be the funniest Bridgerton of all, Colin has more moments than most.

Elsewhere, and you may wonder whether Anthony has any sense of humor whatsoever. He’s terminally serious and rarely laughs or cracks a smile – that is, until he starts being honest with Kate. This isn’t surprising considering a huge part of Anthony’s character is his trauma over his father’s death, but who can honestly say they don’t want a partner who makes them laugh? We’re usually laughing AT Anthony for how ridiculous he’s being, rather than WITH him, and it’s not a character trait that can be overlooked. Luckily, Kate has enough humor for both of them.

If you want a man who broods, then we know you’d die for Anthony. But we can’t help loving Colin for his lightness, so he wins this round.

WINNER: Anthony 2 / Colin 2

Round 5: Angst & Tension

In keeping with his broodiness, Anthony’s season was full of angst and unbearable sexual tension between him and Kate. There was angst over his father’s death, angst over his responsibility to his family, angst over whether he was wronging Edwina, and, of course, angst over his feelings for Kate. It was this simmering tension that made “Bridgerton” season 2 an even bigger hit than season 1, as Kanthony went around in circles refusing to admit what was REALLY fuelling their animosity for one another. Who knew that a bangle falling to the floor could cause so much drama?

Colin, meanwhile, definitely doesn’t suit being a moody, introspective gentleman in the way Anthony did. Though he spends plenty of time grappling with his feelings for Penelope, it rings a little hollow when we know there isn’t as much standing in the way of these two other than Colin being dense. He then spends almost all of episode 4 avoiding Penelope and hiding in Bridgerton House, so they get very few moments of in-person sexual tension before that climactic carriage scene. We love a tormented hero, but Colin just doesn’t fit that bill.

This victory goes to the Viscount, no questions asked.

WINNER: Anthony 3 / Colin 2

After all that, Anthony is our triumphant romantic lead. Despite his humorless nature, his emotional turmoil and genuine heroics have won the world over.

Let us know in the comments which Bridgerton brother YOU want to take a turn about the room with.