During the first season of Shondaland's hit Netflix series Bridgerton, you may remember that we brought you the Bridgerton Cast Questionnaire, which introduced you a bit more intimately to the many women and men who make up the characters of the hit Shondaland show. It was a part-serious, part-silly question-and-answer rundown that shed some light on what makes these actors tick and what makes their characters tock. This year, we’ve brought the Questionnaire back, naturally, to make sure you’ve got your peacocks in a row now that Bridgerton’s second season has begun streaming worldwide on Netflix.
Now that you’ve had some time to fall in love with Bridgerton’s newest eligible bachelor, we thought we’d talk to this very important character indeed: Newton, the Sharma family dog!
Thanks to Queen Elizabeth II, corgis have become as recognizable a symbol of royalty as a crown. And as fans of Julia Quinn’s book series will recall, in The Viscount Who Loved Me, Newton plays a very important role indeed. On-screen, a few of his choice scenes have been tapered down to allow for more, ahem, pressing business (cough cough, Kanthony), but we’re so happy that Newton, played by Austin the dog, still gets time to shine in the spotlight. And what a shining star he is.
Born in December 2014, Austin is one of nine brothers — more siblings than the Bridgertons! He’s always been known for his good looks and positive attitude and has caught the eye of the judges at Crufts on a number of occasions, winning three classes and numerous placings over his years of competition. In September 2019, he played Queen Elizabeth’s corgi Susan in reenactments in CNN’s The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty. It was his first on-screen appearance before being cast as Newton Sharma. But he’s also done some choice Christmas photographs for Amazon.
In his downtime, Austin prefers lounging with best friend, Luna, a golden retriever. The two canine pals have traveled England together, from the tops of mountains to the bottoms of waterfalls, although Austin prefers to keep clean and dry and will walk around a muddy puddle rather than dirty his shiny coat. Such a regal diva! Ever the true gentleman, Austin is loyal and protective, and always ensures he is the center of attention.
Let’s get to know him a little better.
What do you have in common with your character?
AUSTIN: A love of food and marching to the beat of his own drum.
What do you not have in common with your character?
A carriage to cart me around the ton.
What’s your favorite toy, and why?
A soft, green dinosaur, which I never leave home without. I am a keen paleontologist.
What’s your most and then least favorite part about being on set?
I love ALL THE SNACKS and being the center of attention. My least favourite (yes, even a dog knows how to spell properly!) part about being on set is not being allowed to bark for more snacks.
Do you have a favorite treat?
Sausages. Always sausages.
Do you have any good stories from being on the set of Bridgerton this season?
One day, the nice people at the coffee van made me a puppuccino before I went on my carriage ride!
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I’ve strutted my stuff on the green carpet at Crufts on more than one occasion. Also, I drool a surprising amount for a corgi.
Who inspires you?
As a corgi, I’m contractually obliged to answer, “Her Majesty the Queen.” But then again, who isn’t inspired by anyone who owns a palace?
What advice would you give another dog who wants to be on TV?
Find yourself a good agent!
Valentina Valentini is a London-based entertainment, travel, and food writer and also a Senior Contributor for Shondaland. Elsewhere she has written for Vanity Fair, Vulture, Variety, Thrillist, Heated, and The Washington Post. Her personal essays can be read in the Los Angeles Times, Longreads, and her tangents and general complaints can be seen on Twitter at @ByValentinaV.
Get Shondaland directly in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TODAY
