Mrs. Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), whose scandal sheet strikes fear into the hearts of of the upper echelon who have secrets they'd prefer not to be revealed.
Bridgerton season 1 is based on Quinn's first novel, The Duke and I, which takes place in 1813 at the height of London's social season when a slew of young women make their official societal debuts. They all have a common goal: land a husband or suffer the humiliation of potential spinsterdom. Viewers are introduced to Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), who aspires to make a love match but hits a few setbacks thanks to her older brother's interference (Anthony hates all of Daphne's suitors). Daphne's fortune changes for the better when she meets Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), and their tumultuous love story is Bridgerton's season 1 main storyline. They have to overcome some major obstacles, but Daphne and Simon are poised to live happily ever after by the season's end.
The show's second season marches on, and fans are already wondering what to expect from Bridgerton season 2. Quinn's Bridgerton series is comprised of eight novels, and each focuses on the love life of one of the Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, sca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Bridgerton season 2 promises to focus on Daphne's eldest brother Anthony, as he embarks on what he views as an obligatory quest to find a suitable bride (chronicled in Quinn's second book, The Viscount Who Loved Me). Daphne's story is effectively over, which will undoubtedly disappoint viewers. Anthony will share the spotlight with his bachelor brothers and fan-favorites Eloise (whose future love interest was introduced during season 1) and Penelope Featherington who was unmasked as Mrs. Whistledown in the last moments of the season 1 finale. Daphne's sexual awakening and the palpable chemistry between the Duke and Duchess that made season 1 so addictive seem destined to be replaced with the banality of marital bliss.
Why Anthony Is The Main Character In Bridgerton Season 2 (& Not Daphne)
The main reason that Anthony is the focus of Bridgerton season 2, and not Daphne, is because the show is following the order of the Bridgerton book series. The second book, The Viscount Who Loved Me, chronicles the love story of the eldest Bridgerton sibling and a woman named Kate Sheffield. While Kate Sheffield has been changed to Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) the second season of the popular 1800's Regency-era drama follows the same "enemies-to-lovers" trope that the books do. Since the television show does follow the book series with relative accuracy (though some notable deviations), the focus of the second tale moves from Daphne to Anthony. It doesn't mean that Daphne is any less important in Bridgerton's wider lore, though, as she makes several appearances to help out her family with their current scandal. But Bridgerton season 2 very much plays Daphne's story as away from the family home: she has her duties to her husband and he to his estate and that means they can't always be present as they were in season 1.
Where Simon Is In Bridgerton Season 2 (& What Happens To Him)
Audiences were understandably confused when it was announced that Simon only exists off-screen for Bridgerton season 2. After all Rege Jean-Page was the breakout star of Simon is only mentioned in the book series. Barring a shocking return by Page, the same will be true of the Bridgerton TV show as the series continues.
What The Future Holds For Daphne & Simon In Bridgerton
Even though Daphne won't feature prominently in Bridgerton season 2, fans probably have not seen the last of the eldest Bridgerton daughter. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Dynevor offered some thoughts about her character's story arc, seemingly hinting that there may be a twist in the tale for Simon and Daphne's romance:
"Yeah. I think, obviously, if we're sticking to the books, it's sort of Anthony's turn now. But there's no such thing as a happy ending, is there? I think love's always shifting and changing. So who knows? I'd like to see what happens next. And also, I'd like to see Daphne get involved in Anthony's love life, since he was so involved in hers."
Daphne's naivete about sex in Bridgerton was a significant hurdle for her and Simon to overcome, but her tendency to idolize her parents' marriage could mean trouble for the couple moving forward. In an interview with so many Bridgerton siblings whose stories have yet to be told, Daphne's screen time will likely be greatly diminished the second time around.
