The first half of Bridgerton’s season three has just premiered and the second half is available from 13th June here in New Zealand, so we thought it was high time we got to meet the season 3 cast of Bridgerton before before season 4 drops!
Read on to discover some of the behind-the-scenes secrets from the stars themselves, and find out who almost didn’t make the cut!
Nicola Coughlan
as Penelope Featherington
She’s strong-minded, quick- witted and, shall we say, rather handy with a plume? (Or is that a nom de plume!?) It’s Penelope’s time to find a husband in season three. Actor Nicola, 37, who shot to fame in Derry Girls in 2018, insisted in her contract that a less sexy version of the drama be supplied for her family’s consumption.
“People think I’m saying it as a joke,” she laughs. “But I grew up Irish Catholic. That’s just not how we vibe!” The actor auditioned for the part of Robin Buckley on Stranger Things but missed out to Maya Hawke. Instead, Bridgerton has made her an even bigger star.
Adjoa Andoh
as Lady Danbury
No one messes with Lady Danbury, who’s an old friend of the Bridgerton family. This cane-wielding matron loves to matchmake, which makes her rather useful in the Bridgerton universe! Actor Adjoa, 61, has plenty in common with the landed gentry of early 1800s England: she grew up in a Cotswolds village with carnivals, cream teas and cricket games aplenty.
She started out studying law before catching the acting bug. But, she says, she missed her real calling. “All I ever really wanted to be was a bass player in a punk band. In my heart, I’m still a 14-year-old punk rocker watching The Clash.”
Luke Thompson
as Benedict Bridgerton
“To most of the world, I’m merely a Bridgerton… Specifically, number two,” is the self-deprecating refrain of Benedict Bridgerton, the second-born son of the society family. Behind the scenes, actor Luke, 35, also has to contend with a shared name – co-star Luke Newton. “It’s okay,” he says, “because I tend to be referred to as ‘Lukey T’ and he’s ‘Newts’.”
His funniest moment of fame so far came on a plane to New York with a group of his fellow Bridgerton castmates. “The air steward came up to Claudia [who plays Eloise] and said, ‘Oh, my God, you look like Eloise from Bridgerton!’ Claudia pointed at me and said, ‘And doesn’t he look like the brother?’ The air steward said, ‘Oh, I wish!’ So, apparently, I look s*** in real life.”
Luke Newton
as Colin Bridgerton
Colin is the third Bridgerton son and it’s his love story that takes centre stage this season. Luke, 31, grew up with two aunties in musical theatre and it wasn’t long before he followed suit.
At 18, an agent approached him and he was cast in BBC show The Cut. He says Regé-Jean Page, the actor who played Bridgerton’s first leading man, advised him to go on a “holiday before the madness starts”. “He gave me a big hug and was like, ‘Are you ready for this, bro?’”
Claudia Jessie
as Eloise Bridgerton
Uninterested in society’s rules and even less excited about the idea of marrying, Eloise is the black sheep of the Bridgerton brigade. Claudia couldn’t have had a more different upbringing to her society character. “We had no money, there were bailiffs at the door, it was horrible,” she recalls of her early years with her brother and single mum.
Claudia, 34, spent five years doing odd jobs like walking dogs until her acting career took off and was thrilled when she had enough money to buy a houseboat in Birmingham. “Playing Eloise means I get to support my family and friends, which I never thought I’d be able to do.” she shares.
Golda Rosheuvel
as Queen Charlotte
Stern, intimidating and often bored, Queen Charlotte has the power to make or break anyone’s social standing in Regency-era Britain. Actor Golda, 54, says she had no trouble filling the sovereign’s gold-plated shoes because she seemed rather familiar. “That essence of Englishness and etiquette and wicked sense of humour – she is my mother!”
Golda, who’s also appeared on TV shows including Doctor Who and Luther, last year married her longtime girlfriend Shireen Mulan, 53, in a “very low-key” ceremony. “I met my wife on the dance floor. Eleven years later, we’re now in it for the long-haul,” she says.
Jessica Madsen
as Cressida Cowper
Ill-mannered debutante Cressida will do anything to nab herself an eligible suitor, making her one of the most loathed characters in the show. Actor Jessica, 32, says she’s received her fair share of hate mail. “People are not the biggest fans of her,” she laughs, adding she receives messages like, “I love hating you so much.” She responds by saying, “You’re welcome!”
Watch Bridgerton today on Netflix.
