With Bridgerton now a certified Netflix hit, you’ve probably already given in and binged the entirety of the lush, sexy Regency-era drama. (If you haven’t — what are you waiting for?!). And if after all eight episodes you’re still yearning for more from the world Bridgerton, below we’ve rounded up some behind-the-scenes photos and social media posts to satiate all your Bridgerton desires. Here, you’ll find beautiful scenes and unexpected moments narrated by the cast and crew as they worked for nearly a year around the English countryside to not only bring the show to life, but also into living rooms around the world.
The Best of Bridgerton: A picture holds a thousand words
Pheobe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton has a laugh with one of the camera crew as she and Regé-Jean Page, deep in Simon Basset mode, prepare for a meal together at Clyvedon Castle.
“The English summer is not a reliable thing,” says Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury. “There was one day when we were filming this fabulous Queen’s garden party, and there were stalls everywhere, cakes, [decorations] and ladies in gorgeous frocks. It’s supposed to be summer and I’m shooting a scene talking to somebody and just out of the corner of my eye, I see a hedge go splat! The crew is yelling, ‘Just keep going, keep going, the wind is blowing; we have to get the scene in the can!’ And there are all these lovely assistants, working their butts off, sticking the roses back [into the hedge] before they blow away.”
In between scenes, Golda Rosheuvel, as Queen Charlotte, attempts to stay warm during the English spring; this lavish picnic was meant to take place during the summertime!
Regé-Jean Page spars in between takes. Page says that one of the great challenges of playing Simon Basset, The Duke of Hastings, was the constant physical and mental training he put himself through. “There were lots of early mornings, lots of boxing training, Rocky montages, taking a run before the sun was up and doing an hour of boxing training, hopping on a horse and falling off a horse and trying to keep the horse in control... oh, the horse drama. And smooshing thousands of words into my head each week.”
“I learned how to box and get in shape,” says Martins Imhangbe, who plays Simon’s best friend and sparring partner, Will Mondrich. “And I learned them specifically to that era because the boxing style and the way men got in shape back then was completely different from what it is now. Playing Will made me think about the confidence in staying true to who you are, despite societal expectations. Because I imagine it must’ve been so difficult in the 1800s when the odds must have been so against [a Black businessman].”
“Even though we’re creating a new world,” says production designer Will Hugh-Jones, “we are seated in history.” Hugh-Jones, who credits Shonda Rhimes and Chris Van Dusen with giving him a very long rope, used over 100 practical locations around the south and west of England.
Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick worked with 238 costumers and seamstresses to create close to 6,000 costumes. Daphne alone had 104 dresses. Because they were re-imagining the classic Regency look in an entirely new way, Morojnick needed to use modern fabrics and techniques.
Though Bridgerton was a no-bonnet affair, the costume designers utilized head pieces to complete the sartorial look.
Golda Rosheuvel says it was an absolute joy to play Queen Charlotte. But one of her biggest challenges bringing this character to life was the wigs and the corsets: “There were a couple of times I had to ask somebody to loosen my corset because I felt I was going to faint. But that’s the reality of looking that good, babe.”
“Daphne is not afraid to do what she feels is right,” says Dynevor, seen here in one of the opening shots of the show as she’s about to be presented to the Queen. “At first, we don't see that, and then, well, she punches Nigel Berbrooke in the face. So, as much as she is conforming and following the rules, there’s also this other side of her who will not do anything she doesn’t want to do. I guess you could say that’s where her strength comes from.”
“Everyone did such an incredible job helping to make Bridgerton,” says creator and showrunner Chris Van Dusen. “There were many times during shooting when I would look around at everyone in this massive cast and crew and think to myself, ‘Is this real life?’ Because at one point this was all just in my head, and there on set, it was all happening live and in color right in front of me.”
The Best of Bridgerton: A Social Media Story
Still craving more? Keep checking Shondaland.com for more exclusive behind the scenes content, including upcoming video featurettes that go inside everything from the on-set horseback riding to Simon and Anthony's duel at dawn to the elaborate Bridgerton balls.
Valentina Valentini is a London-based freelance journalist. She has written for The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, New York Magazine and Variety, among others, and contributes to Shondaland.com regularly. Her personal essays can be read in the Los Angeles Times and Longreads. Her tangents and general complaints can be seen on Twitter at @ByValentinaV .
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