Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton in Netflix’s 2020 hit series, “Bridgerton,” known for its sumptuous costume design.
What Is Bridgerton About?
On December 25, 2020, Bridgerton Season One dropped on Netflix. It’s a TV series from Shonda Rhimes and Chris Van Susen that is based on a series of books by Julia Quinn. Season one follows the first book, The Duke and I.
The Bridgertons are a well-known, long-established family at the upper echelons of London society. The eldest daughter of the family, Daphne, is the focus of season one of the show—especially her relationship with Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings (hence the title of the first book).
Bridgerton became a massive success soon after its release. In fact, the series was so popular that its costumes and sets inspired a new style known as “Regency-core.”
Be warned: In discussing the costumes, Season 1 plot elements will be spoiled.
This a repost of my own article originally on Hubpages
All in all, thanks to reviewing Season One and Two of Netflix’s Wednesday I did post more consistently in 2025 than in 2024. Though thanks to my Disney marathon at the end of 2024 I didn’t really increase my total amount by too much. I posted 44 times in 2024 and 46 (including this post) this year.
To close out the year I’m going to highlight some of my personal posts in 2025.
While I do like all my posts these are ones I just wanted to highlight there are 12 or so because I’m weak.
Ranking The Bridgerton Book Series using Statistical Analysis
Four of the Main Couples of Bridgerton Seasons 1 through 4
Written by Julia Quinn, The Bridergeton Book series spans eight books set in Regency England (1813-1827.) Each book tells the love story of a different Bridgerton sibling and each feature some sort of romantic trope, like fake-dating, enemies to lover to name a few.
The book series got a surge in popularity after being adapted into a Netflix show in 2020. It’s currently in their fourth season, adapting the third book with two addition seasons currently in preproduction. The show adaptations of the books are quite different and has a more ensemble cast with many sub-plots and added characters.
But the real question is which one of the book in the series is considered “The Best?” Which is the worse? And which ones are in the top four and which ones are in the bottom four?
Last year* I did a survey of 100 different rankings from across social media platforms of rankings of the Bridgerton Series, you can read that survey right here (also my own rankings are not included in this survey). So I know what the general consensus of the best books and the worst book are in the series. Also I know these books are meant to be entertainment they are not a deep studies into the human condition nor do they offer themes of modernity or man’s relationship to nature nor are they steep in metaphors or symbolism. Their aim is to be consumed on a vacation. And that is Great and Valid.
Also it’s worth noting that Romance Books/Stories are less about the plots and more about ther interpersonal dynamics of the couple falling in love. However I think for me I factored the plot into my rankings somewhat. I also read the majority of the series in 2024 but I reread one more recently.
So Here is my Ranking of the Bridgerton Book Series also 6 & 5 could easily be swapped but this order is more aligned to my tastes at present. Also I don’t hate any these books.
#8: The Duke and I (Book #1)
#7: On the Way to the Wedding (Book #8)
#6: To Sir Phillip, with Love (Book #5)
#5: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Book #4)
#4: It’s in His Kiss (Book #7)
#3: The Viscount who Loved Me (Book #2)
#2: When He was Wicked (Book #6)
#1: An Offer from a Gentleman (Book #3)
Some Notes- I read The Duke and I sometime between 2021 to end 2022. Though I actually just finished rereading it because I really didn’t remember it despite rewatching the series all the time. I’ve reread books 3 and 6 (the top two). I actually reread book #6 almost as soon as I finished because I had covid at the time (July 2024).
Have you read any of the Bridgerton Series? Which one was your favorite? Least favorite? Are you hyped for Season 4 whenever that comes out…?
*Originally I posted this survey to my Hubpages account but as Hubpages has discontinued their user-posted articles/content the survey, which is my own work, has now hosted here.
Netflix’s Tie-in cover of The Viscount who Loved me
So I enjoy Bridgerton, the show and the books. I have seen the show many times and have read the first three books of the series. I know the books are imperfect but for the most part they are enjoyable fun reads.
However what does sort-of surprises me is that people don’t seem to get that the book titles are references to movies/songs. Oddly the first one I got the second I heard the title was The Viscount who Loved Me. At the time I couldn’t place the reference of the first book and I didn’t know the names of the other books.
But I do now know the references now and want to share them even though Julia Quinn hasn’t outright said these are the title references except for one. Also these could be wrong except for the one for Book 8 because she did say that one outright.
Or maybe the names of the books are super obvious and I’m reading the fandom wrong. It happens, if nothing else how many of these did you know?
Book 1: The Duke and I – The King and I. (I can’t believe it took me so long to get this, I just couldn’t place it)
On Quinn’s website, she said this regarding the working titles for Book 5
The first was For Eloise, Wherever I May Find Her, inspired by the Simon & Garfunkel song “For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her,” which I think is one of the most romantic songs ever written. The second working title was The Importance of Being Eloise.
It been a VERY LONG TIME since we have done a proper Hypothetical casting post so I thought let’s get back into the groove and cast multiple characters from a single show.
Let’s looks at Bridgerton, which I enjoy (season 3 hype) for casting options.
For those of you who do not know Bridgerton is Netflix show based on Julia Quinn’s Recency Romance Book Series. It has so far one spin-off series with Queen Charlotte but for this casting we will just source the flagship series (I will add a two actors from Charlotte as bonus because I think they would suit the role too.)
For this casting let’s use actors who have appeared in Bridgerton for a Disney version, plus one extra character because I want to. These casting picks are based on the Disney movie so the picks are based off of looks and acting. Let’s ASSUME they all can sing. Side note the gargoyles were a puzzler…..
Jonathan Bailey as Quasimodo
Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton Season 2
Quasimodo requires nuance to play and I think Jonathan Bailey could be up to the task. I mean he could Phoebus or even Frollo but we’re going Quasimodo. Give Bailey as bit of an acting challenge. Plus most actors would love to play Quasimodo.
Simone Ashley as Esmeralda
Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma Bridgeton Season 2
Simone Ashley has already been in one live action, The Little Mermaid it wasn’t a leading role. She would make a PERFECT Disney Esmeralda. She has the right type of look and she plays the head-strong, smart, no-nonsense type but with a soft sensitivity that Disney’s Esmeralda has in spades. Plus she has danced in Bridgeton.
Anthony Head as Frollo
Anthony Head as Lord Sheffield, Bridgerton Season 2
Anthony Head is one episode of season 2 so it counts. Bridgerton, and I might just have rewatch it, doesn’t have a large swath of what I would consider “Frollo-types” in the cast but I think he could make a great Frollo. He has the right look for the part and is a decent age for Disney Frollo, he can also sing which is a plus.
Freddie Stroma as Phoebus
Freddie Stroma as Prince Friedrich, Bridgerton Season 1
Phoebus should be an easy casting and that makes can make it hard. Freddie Stroma would be fine in as Phoebus but Bridgerton has many options and this just the one I picked. Originally I had considered Jonathan Bailey and Regé-Jean Page for Phoebus however Freddie Stroma just edged them out for Phoebus.
Regé-Jean Page as Clopin
Regé-Jean Page as Duke of Hasting Bridgerton Season 1
Regé-Jean Page as Clopin just seemed right. Don’t know why just does. I think he could have fun in the role furthermore couldn’t just see him killing the songs.
Hugh Sachs as Hugo
Hugh Sachs as Brimsley Bridgeton
Hugo was the hardest to cast. I think if there was new iteration of the gargoyles they have to tone them down like in the German musical, especially Hugo. So in the end I just considered just voices so it’s Hugh Sachs who plays Brimsley, also very coincidental about the names. He really the only one from the Bridgeton cast would could voice Hugo effectively.
Julian Ovenden as Victor
Julian Ovenden as Henry Granville Bridgerton Season 1
Originally it was going to be Anthony Head for Victor and Julian Ovenden for Frollo but the deciding factor was age. Disney Frollo skews older than other versions of the character so I swapped them. I do think Julian Ovenden can play the stately, sensitive slight comedic Victor very well and he can also sing very well.
Julie Andrews as Laverne
Julie Andrews
This is an indulgence because it is the treasure to humanity Julie Andrews. She is perfect and would make a perfect Laverne I have no doubt. Goldie Rosheuvel and Adjoa Andoh would also be great picks for Laverne but had to go with Andrews.
Bonus: Jessica Madsen as Fleur de Lys
Jessica Madsen as Cressida, Bridgerton Season 1
Fleur de Lys does not appear in the Disney version but Madsen as Cressida is much like a Fleur de Lys that I HAD to mention the casting. Plus a remake could add her in, the musical sort of did but is was more of name drop/homage.
Extra – I think Sam Clemmett (young Brimsley) and Guy Henry (Dr. Monro) from Queen Charlotte would be great picks for Quasimodo and Frollo respectively but I just wanted to keep this to Bridgerton but they were my first initials picks.
If you like this let know maybe I will do more like it and suggestions for casting are always welcome though I have a backlog.
