Under the watchful eye of Lady Whistledown, the ton must navigate through the pressure of social reputation, familial responsibilities and the struggle between heart and head all in the thrilling season two of Bridgerton.

The anticipated second season of the book-adapted series, Bridgerton, was released on Netflix on March 25. After a fiery season one follows the eldest sister Daphne’s romance, season two explores her brother Viscount Anthony’s complex journey toward finding love. 

“I like season two a lot more than season one, because Anthony’s love story is a lot more interesting,” senior Talya Elam says. 

As the man of the house, Anthony is tasked with many responsibilities. He is much less interested in love itself, but rather checking a box that must be met: finding a wife. Two of the main women involved in Anthony’s story are Edwina and Kate Sharma—half-sisters who are invited by Lady Danbury to join this season’s festivities. Edwina Sharma has all the features of an excellent wife for Anthony, but his desires lie elsewhere: Edwina’s sister, Kate. In the battle between head and heart, Anthony must ultimately decide between the sisters. 

The Sharma sisters are an exemplary instance of Bridgerton’s impressive take on inclusivity and diversity. Shondaland Production Company, known for shows like Grey’s Anatomy, created Bridgerton and has been highly praised for their colorblind casting. People of color were not highly present during the English Regency era in which the show is based, but Bridgerton has continued to have a diverse cast. Season two specifically has received praise for the South Asian representation. 

“The new main characters are women of color and their culture was represented throughout the show. [For example,] the ritual they did before the wedding—oiling Edwina’s hair,” freshman Annah Stevenson comments.

Another striking feature of season two is the feminist take on the era. Eloise Bridgerton, the second oldest Bridgerton sister, explores the world outside of the ton by going into town. There, she meets Theo Sharpe, a local printer, and they quickly find common ground in discussing contemporary feminist ideas. 

“I think it’s great they have a character [Eloise] that doesn’t go along with all the social norms and expectations,” Elam says. 

Though feminist opinions may not be as prominent in other characters, the show features a variety of strong, independent female characters such as Penelope (revealed in season one as Lady Whistledown), the Queen (ruling in the absence of her husband) and Kate Sharma.  Even some of the crudest characters are played by women, such as Lady Featherington, who, despite her horrible acts, does it all in the interest of her family and taking care of her two daughters.

“Kate was confident and assertive, which is different compared to many of the different characters Anthony could choose from,” Stevenson remarks.

Bridgerton especially explores the ideas of family and love as the characters struggle with a multitude of responsibilities to their families and to their own hearts. Anthony deals with past trauma and confronts the contrast between his perceived family duty and expectation with what his family really believes and wants from him, which is to be happy. 

Similar to season one, reputations are at stake, hearts are broken and the audience is left wondering if true love will endure. Overall, season two’s take on Anthony’s character and romance with Kate is refreshing and the Bridgertons will make an excited return in the next season.