Which of the side stories in season one did you like the most and why?
Chris: I think that with any adaptation there’s always going to be differences from the source material. But the fans of the books are going to see the elements they love on screen too. And what’s most important for me was really capturing the essence of the Bridgerton family. You know, seeing how they love each other and capturing that spirit, and that liveliness between them; the way the Bridgerton siblings banter, the way Violet the matriarch loves her family and would do anything for them.
But at the same time, I wanted to introduce new elements as well. I wanted to open up the world because the series, it’s not just about the Bridgertons, it’s about a world, and it’s about a society, and Queen Charlotte, I think offers up an amazing world– a new world– to the adaptation that isn’t in the books. I think that exploring those palaces and exploring those storylines with the Queen were some of my favorites to really dive into.
How were the Bridgerton siblings offscreen?
Phoebe: I think they absolutely nailed the casting. I mean, we really did feel like family onscreen and offscreen it was sort of like we had that dynamic, for sure. And we just had fun. It was great as well because the studio was sort of the last [location] we filmed in and we’d all really got that, like shorthand with each other by that point. So they were so easy, those scenes to film, there were no struggles.
Anthony: And me and Phoebe, we’re so not like our characters in the way that they interact. [There was] an episode where I had to just really lay into her, and every time I turn around, both of us started laughing. You get to know people so well because you [share] three meals a day, you get up at four in the morning, and you don’t see any of your friends and family, especially for Phoebe who was in every day.
And so at the same time as you see them crafting these amazing characters, you also get to really know them. So if [somebody is playing] against who they really are, it can become borderline hysterical all the time. I think it’s the biggest compliment when you giggle at them because it’s just so brilliant.
What was it about the novels that stood out and made you say that it would translate well onscreen?
Chris: From the very first moment that I read the books, I fell in love with them. I devoured them. The first time Shonda told me about the books I took them home and I read the first one that night, and I read the second book the second night, and so on and so on. They had every element that I love: they were funny, and they were emotional and they were intriguing and they were really sexy.
And what really struck me was that this was escapism, and that was something that I was really looking for at the time. This chance to transport myself into another world entirely, and I think escapism is what a lot of audiences are kind of craving right now and I think it’s what they’re going to get with the show.
How closely did you work with Julia Quinn, and how did she react to the changes in this adaptation?
Chris: Working with Julia, Julia is such a delight! She’s been nothing but supportive from the beginning of this project. After she read all the scripts for the first season, she told me that she never would have thought to approach the adaptation like this but she was thoroughly convinced that it was the only way to do it. So just her telling me that was such a supreme boost of confidence and she’s been delightful around.
Can you give us hints on what we can expect in season 2?
Chris: I can’t, that’s the short answer right now. I think it’s too early to tell. You know, the first season is about Daphne, obviously, and this romance with Simon. But we all know there are eight Bridgerton siblings and there are eight Bridgerton books, and in success, I would love to be able to explore and tell stories for all the siblings.
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Bridgerton premieres on Netflix this December 25.
