Since Lady Whistledown is all about judging a book by its cover (or a rumor), we figured it might behoove the fans to get to know the cast of Shondaland’s newest period drama, Bridgerton, more intimately. As we head toward the series premiere on December 25, we’ve concocted a part-serious/part-silly question-and-answer rundown so that you can find out what makes these actors tick and what makes their characters tock.
First up, we have Phoebe Dynevor, who plays the eldest daughter of the aristocratic Bridgerton family, as she debuts onto Regency London’s marriage mart. Daphne is diligent and dedicated to helping her family legacy live on, but she won’t suffer fools, either. She has a lot on her golden plate this season as the task of finding not just a suitable match, but a love match takes its toll on the young lady.
What do you have in common with your character?
PHOEBE DYNEVOR: We’d both do anything for the people we love. Also, we probably both have quite a bit of anxiety which we conceal pretty well… for the most part [laughs].
What do you not have in common with your character?
I spend most days in joggers whilst Daphne pretty much always looks pristine. But aside from that, I think Daphne is probably a lot more patient with other people than perhaps I am.
What’s your favorite time of day and why?
My first coffee in the morning, because the whole day is ahead, and anything is possible.
What’s your character’s favorite time of day and why?
I think Daphne would probably give the exact same answer, but maybe with a cup of tea instead.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I’m an advanced scuba diver! One of my happy places is in the sea.
At one point, Penelope is told to put down her book, else she “confuse her thoughts.” Let’s show Lady Featherington what’s what — what is your favorite book and why?
I’m a book fiend, so this is an incredibly difficult question to answer. I’ll go with Women Who Run with Wolves because I think every woman should own a copy. Also, A Little Life, because I read it in quarantine and it completely and utterly consumed me.
Have you ever ridden a horse?
I rode a horse a few times in preparation for this role. I hadn’t ridden in years, so the first time I got on one again was memorable for me. And then starting to gallop was an exhilarating feeling. I compare it to riding a bike downhill — there’s this feeling of being completely out of control.
What outlandish pet would you have if you lived in the Regency era?
Am I allowed a pet monkey?
What musical instrument do you play?
I love how this question is phrased and I wish I could answer it! Very, very basic piano, I guess.
Feathers or bows?
Feathers.
Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds.
There is a lot of dancing in the series. What was your favorite? Was there one that was really hard to learn?
Learning the dances with Jack Murphy, our incredible choreographer, was probably one of the highlights of this job. We shot the first dance between Daphne and Simon within the first two weeks of shooting. We filmed all night whilst fireworks went off behind us. I’d say that was quite a memorable moment. Of course, also the last dance was pretty epic and emotional because we’d come to the end. The hardest to learn were probably the ones where I also had a lot of dialogue… and there were quite a few of those!
Who inspires you?
So many women inspire me, but I will always idolize my mum and my grandma the most.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to act?
Don’t wait until you have permission. Write, create stuff, get involved, find as many ways to be creative as possible, and believe in yourself. But remember, there’s a lot of rejection.
Do you prefer to watch drama or comedy?
Generally, I love acting in drama and watching comedy. I mostly enjoy lighthearted escapes, particularly at the moment. And I will never watch a horror film! (Unless it’s Get Out because that is just a great movie).
What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you recently?
I recently put my olive pit on an empty plate, and someone ate it thinking it was a nut.
Who was the person who most influenced you and how?
My mum, because she’s a go-getter but she’s also the most caring person I know. I think that’s quite a rare combination, and I can only hope it’s rubbed off on me.
What, in your opinion, is the most exciting part of the work?
Getting to meet and work with such interesting people, seeing new places, and embodying someone else’s world. Basically, I get to live my childhood fantasy.
If you weren’t an actress/actor, what do you think you’d be?
I definitely want to explore other parts of the industry in the future and have already started looking into that. But outside of the industry, I’ve always been interested in psychology.
Is there a character in the series, aside from Daphne, that you are drawn to or can relate to and why?
I’m really drawn to Eloise (Claudia Jessie) as a character and definitely lean more towards her ideas as a woman. I’ve always believed in doing things for myself and couldn’t imagine living in a time where my only option was to marry. I love that Eloise rebels against this notion; I think I would too.
Valentina Valentini is a London-based entertainment, travel and food writer 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.
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