Bridgerton: Top 10 Behind-the-Scenes Facts

the Scenes Facts.

For this list, we’ll be looking at interesting insider info about this popular Netflix original.

Have you seen Bridgerton yet? Let us know in the comments!

Shonda Rhimes, who created shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “How to Get Away with Murder” is listed as an executive producer for “Bridgerton,” but she actually had a much more significant role. Rhimes encouraged longtime professional collaborator Chris Van Dusen to read Julia Quinn’s book series and consider adapting it for the screen. Van Dusen went on to create this Netflix original and the rest is history. While Rimes may not be part of the show’s day to day production, the entire thing was her idea, and Shondaland fans will surely find similarities between this and the creator’s other shows.

“Bridgerton” is set in 1813 in Regency London, so the show’s cast needed plenty of training before they were ready for their period roles. In fact, they spent a full six weeks at a “Regency boot camp” where they learned about the era’s history as well as practical skills like riding, dancing, and, of course, etiquette. Their trainers clearly did a good job, because it’s hard to imagine the actors from the show actually existing in the modern day. Seeing them without their period clothes and hairstyles is definitely a little jarring.

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington on the show, was living a very normal life just three years before being cast in the role. While “Bridgerton” isn’t her first major part—she has a memorable starring role in “Derry Girls”—she’s still new to acting professionally. It wasn’t long ago that she had a job at an optometrist’s office. "I was the girl who tells you when your eye test is due”, she says, “I used to practice my autograph on the letters”. Understandably, she’s still pretty shocked at where she ended up, saying, “I walk around every day going,’I can't believe I'm part of a Shonda Rhimes show on Netflix.’”

Will Hughes-Jones, who is the show’s production designer, told Glamour that the aesthetics of the Bridgerton and Featherington families were inspired by two famous American families. He compares them to the Kennedys and the Kardashians, with the Bridgertons representing the former and the Featheringtons the latter. This can be seen represented in their respective styles of dress, with the Bridgertons wearing pale muted hues in shades of blue and green and the Featheringtons wearing increasingly gaudy ensembles in every episode. Hughes-Jones says, “It's a period piece with modern inflections, which helps create this amazing, beautiful world.”

Following the six week Regency boot camp and another six months of shooting, “Bridgerton’s” cast had plenty of time to get to know one another. Jonathan Bailey who plays Anthony, Viscount Bridgerton, the oldest of the Bridgerton boys, gives credit to the production team for casting a group of actors who had a lot in common. He said, "I think it’s testament to Shondaland that they managed to cast people who seem like a similar sort of tribe, and everyone really did get on." He also shared with Cosmo that the cast have a WhatsApp group that they’ve used to stay in touch since filming wrapped in February of 2020.

If you’ve seen the show, you know it features some steamy scenes that you may not want to watch with family members. Even the members of the cast had to figure out how to handle this with their own families. Jonathan Bailey, for one, recommended that his 90 year old grandmother read the books the series is based on before watching the show so that she’d know what to expect. Phoebe Dynevor, who plays Daphne Bridgerton, warned people close to her as well. Regé-Jean Page however, who plays the Duke of Hastings, decided to handle things a little differently, saying lightheartedly, "Oh, I like to surprise them. Let them off the leash, see what they discover."

While much attention has been paid to the fashion on the show, the set pieces deserve some love too. The production designers for “Bridgerton” took a different approach when creating the sets for this period drama. The show features more than 250 sets, yet they are almost entirely furnished with custom made pieces. They also opted for a brighter aesthetic than viewers are used to seeing in TV shows and movies set in the 19th century, with the candy-colored sets feeling fresh and modern rather than hundreds of years old.

Some of the sets in “Bridgerton” may look a little familiar, and that’s not just because of the Regency decor. Several of the English houses used for filming the show have appeared in other major historical productions. For instance, Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, which features in several episodes of the series, was used as a location in “The Favourite” and “Rebecca.” We also get scenes that were shot at Wilton House, which can be seen in another Netflix production: “The Crown.” It was previously used for the 2005 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice,” standing in for Pemberley.

The use of an intimacy coordinator is becoming increasingly popular on major film and television sets to ensure all the performers feel safe and comfortable while shooting sensitive content. Elizabeth "Lizzy" Talbot worked on the show and is certified by Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. The organization’s mandate includes "pioneering the best practices for performed intimacy, simulated sex and nudity for theatre, live performance, tv and film." Phoebe Dynevor lauded the choice to hire a professional to help manage the scenes, saying "it was so great, because it felt safe and fun: you choreograph it like a stunt, or a dance."

While a second season of “Bridgerton” has yet to be confirmed at the time of writing, one key figure is invested in making it happen. The show’s creator, Chris Van Dusen, told Cosmo that since the book series focuses on all of the Bridgerton children and the first season of the show only had time to really hone in on Daphne’s story, it would be only natural to continue the series and expand its scope. He said, “I would love to be able to explore love stories and romances for all the Bridgerton brothers and sisters, of course.” Fingers crossed that he’s able to convince Netflix to make it happen!