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.
We’ve already gotten to know a bit more about Phoebe Dynevor, who plays Daphne Bridgerton. Now let’s meet Bridgerton’s dashing lead man, Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, he who mysteriously returns to London with little interest in taking a wife, but nevertheless finds himself romantically entangled with the newly available Daphne. Simons’ depths know no bounds, but if he’s not willing to be vulnerable and let someone (ahem, Daphne) in, then he could just be buried in his own darkness. Regé-Jean Page, who plays Basset, may be slightly less brooding, but, as you’ll see below, he still finds some common ground with his Bridgerton counterpart.
What do you have in common with your character?
REGÉ-JEAN PAGE: I guess I’m a little bit of a rolling stone, at home wherever I lay my hat. But like Simon, I’m always a little restless to find the next adventure wherever the wind takes me.
What do you not have in common with your character?
I spend considerably less time punching things; definitely more of a lover than a fighter.
What’s your favorite time of day and why?
First thing in the morning, just before the sun’s up when the world is peaceful and full of potential. [Just like Phoebe!]
What’s your character’s favorite time of day and why?
Dusk! Definitely. Or maybe the gloaming — it matches Simon’s brooding uncertainty. He’s a very twilight type of guy.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I’m a morning person — like morning-morning, up-with-just-the-birds, 4:30 a.m. type of person. Provided there’s good coffee at hand!
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’ve always loved Neil Gaiman’s Anansi Boys. It’s got such a huge imaginative space, with a wicked sense of magic and mischief, but always grounded in this incredible sense of real-world compassion and humanity. It’s probably one of my most re-read books: easy, entertaining, substantial.
Have you ever ridden a horse? Describe that first time, or a particularly memorable moment riding.
Every moment on “Twiglet,” my horse in Bridgerton, was memorable. That horse was a diva. Halfway through takes, the show’s horses would decide they’d had enough and wander back to their trailer — literally. Bear in mind, Twiglet would do this whether I was riding him or not.
What outlandish pet would you have if you lived in the Regency era?
A chameleon — a colorful creature from faraway lands with magical powers of disguise.
Feathers or bows?
Feathers. (There’s just so much more one can do with them.)
Diamonds or pearls?
Provided they’re ethically sourced and conflict-free — diamonds. They’re multi-faceted, made of tough stuff, and always brighten up a room.
There is a lot of dancing in the series. What was your favorite? Was there one that was really hard to learn?
There’s a dance midway through the series that we rehearsed to Plan B’s Writing’s on the Wall. It brought so much joy and was a real moment when the characters were able to release into each other. We danced to all kinds of stuff to find the vibe for the characters before putting it over more orchestral stuff — Beyoncé, Stormzy, etcetera. The final dance you’ll see in the season was actually physically was exhausting; it’s just really athletic. These people had to be fit!
There were many furry and feathered guest stars on the show. Any fun moments with them?
The parrots are the loudest co-stars I’ve ever worked with! Absolute scene stealers, and always improvising new lines for themselves, always yelling over yours. I think they may have left a couple of the loud squawks at the beginning of a couple of scenes.
Who inspires you?
Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury, and unapologetic ladies everywhere who take no excuses and raise the standards in both practice and compassion for everyone around them.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to act?
Do it. It builds empathy, and if you enjoy it, why not? Just don’t put any pressure on yourself and make sure you hold the sense of playfulness. It’s all just a game, even when the stakes are high.
Do you prefer to watch drama or comedy? Or perhaps your favorite is another genre altogether?
I think they’re kind of the same when they’re done well. The best comedies can be heartbreakingly tragic, and the most heart-wrenching dramas are painfully absurd. I love that emotionally charged space where you don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you recently?
I recently lost a cartwheel race to a 10-year-old.
What was the best day of your life?
When that 10-year-old agreed to a re-match. I’m currently in training for the big day.
Who was the person who most influenced you and how?
The whole crew on Roots was pretty inspiring. I was in awe, day in and day out, on location in the Louisiana summer; everyone was unbreakable. I’ve never seen a whole production so fully invested in making a show they really cared about that deeply before.
What do you consider your best achievement?
Allowing people to feel less alone. Any time someone says they've watched something I’ve done and it’s helped them understand themselves, or something they were going through with a new perspective, or just made them feel seen. I think that’s the best outcome I can ever get from this job.
If you weren’t an actor, what do you think you’d be?
I’d love to be an astronomer or something. I love the unknown, and space fascinates me. Sadly, I don’t think my scientific brain is quite up to scratch, so I’m not sure NASA will be accepting me any time soon.
Is there a character in the series, that is not your own, that you are drawn to or can relate to and why?
Madame Delecroix [the dressmaker and proprietor of the Modiste shop, played by Kathryn Drysdale]. She’s always watching, listening, super discrete, but always quietly trying to help.
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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