How does a TV show live on without its main character? It’s a dilemma that producers have had to solve plenty of times over the decades – from George Clooney in ER to Kevin Spacey in House of Cards – and has now fallen upon the creators of Bridgerton. When the romantic drama became an instant hit on Netflix in late 2020, something essential to its success seemed to be the racy relationship between Regé-Jean Page’s Simon, the dashing Duke of Hastings, and the town’s “diamond” – or, the Queen’s favourite of society season’s new debutantes – Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor). Their enemies-to-lovers arc was a trope that’s not new to the genre, but captured the attention of 82 million in its first four weeks of release nonetheless. Video compilations of their steamiest scenes spread across social media, while “I burn for you” – a line of dialogue spoken to the Duke by a besotted Daphne – became one of the most discussed moments of the season. In short, everyone wanted a piece of the Duke, and the promise of Page’s involvement in a second season guaranteed that many Netflix subscribers would be back for more.
So when Page announced last April that he wouldn’t be returning for the show’s second run, fans were distraught. Viewers feared that Bridgerton was losing its sexiest element and that the show wouldn’t be the same without Simon’s smouldering gaze. Based on this new run of episodes, which can be streamed on Netflix from Friday, they’re right – without the Duke and Daphne’s relationship as a focus, Bridgerton is not the same. In fact, it’s better.
