Netflix confirm second series of Bridgerton is in the works
It's officially happening
If you've already binged series one of amazing Netflix show Bridgerton, you are going to be pretty happy about this news. The period drama, which first landed on the streaming platform on Christmas Day, has officially been confirmed for series two.
The official Bridgerton Twitter account confirmed the exciting news, writing, 'Prepare for another social season. Bridgerton is returning for season two, only on Netflix.' (sic)
Netflix UK and Ireland also tweeted about the news, writing, 'DEAREST READERS, BREAKING NEWS... Bridgerton will return for a second season!' (sic)
Fans were clearly over the moon, with many commenting with their delight! One wrote, 'YES YES YES YES YES', with another adding, 'I am so excited'. A third then commented, 'I am far too excited for this!'
Series 1, which has been streamed by an incredible 63 million people, showed Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) form a relationship with The Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Pagewith), with the pair going on to get married despite it seeming unlikely at the start.
The enthralling storyline, which is based on Julia Quinn's novels had fans of the show hooked, with many binging all episodes within a day.
Although there's no official release date for series 2 just yet, we expect it may arrive at the end of 2021.
All the best period dramas to watch on Netflix after you've watched Bridgerton:
The King
Everyone's favourite actor, Timothée Chalamet, plays the wayward Prince Hal who must turn from carouser to warrior king as he faces hostilities from both inside and outside his castle walls in the battle for England.
Lady Chatterley's Lover
Is there a hunky, outdoorsy, rugged-looking role on this earth yet that Richard Madden hasn't absolutely owned? In this BBC adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's racy novel (so racy in fact that it was trialled for obscenity in the UK and banned in America when it was originally published), Madden plays everyone's favourite sexy gardener, Oliver Mellors to Holliday Grainger's Lady Chatterley. Safe to say you should prepare yourself for some seriously non-PG scenes...
Pride and Prejudice
The 2005 take on Jane Austen's best-loved novel, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, is all well and good, but it's a truth universally acknowledged that this brilliant six-part BBC adaptation will always be the definitive on-screen version. Still best known for the scene in which a soggy Mr. Darcy emerges from a lake - which you definitely won't find in the original text - it's the series that made Colin Firth a national treasure (and gained him a mention in Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary and a role in the eventual films). Lake-dipping aside, screenwriter Andrew Davies lets the novel's sparkling dialogue speak for itself, making this a total joy for dedicated Austenites and for more recent initiates.
Poldark
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past five years (in which case, we salute you) you'll doubtless be familiar with one particular image of potential Bond Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark, which may or may not involve scything. From the melodramatic twists and turns of the plot to the gratuitous shots of Turner brooding against the backdrop of the Cornish coast, Poldark is the ultimate period drama guilty pleasure (your mum probably agrees...)
Lady J
Throw together an attractive widow, an assumed libertine (with a Marquis title, nonetheless) and put them in 18th century France and what do you get? Our new Netflix originals obsession, of course! But Lady J doesn't follow the traditional trajectory of period drama romance - instead our protagonist finds herself scorned by her lover and goes about seeking her revenge with the help of two prostitutes. In case you hadn't already worked it out: this is your ultimate binge watch for a girls night in...
The Crown
Netflix's deep-dive into the personal conflicts, political intrigues and public controversies of Queen Elizabeth II's reign is the streaming service's most expensive original drama to date. Luckily, every penny of The Crown's rumoured £100 million budget appears to have paid off. Claire Foy in the first 2 seasons followed by Olivia Colman in the 3rd and 4th series gives a brilliant, sympathetic performance as Elizabeth, nailing the plummy vowels and poise of the monarch without descending into caricature - but it's Vanessa Kirby's Princess Margaret (and her controversial romance with a divorcé) that will have you gripped.
Outlaw King
Chris Pine plays 14th-century Scottish king, Robert the Bruce, who claims the crown and leads a fierce uprising to win back the country's independence from English rule.
12 Years A Slave
In this Academy Award-winning film telling the true story of Solomon Northup, a freeborn black man is kidnapped in New York and sold into slavery in the South.
Alias Grace
Based on the award-winning novel by Margaret Atwood, which is based on a true story, this drama tells the story of a poor Irish immigrant and domestic servant in Canada who is accused and convicted of the murder of her employer and his housekeeper. She is sentenced to life in prison, where a psychiatrist must decide if she can be pardoned for reasons of insanity.
Anne With An E
Based on Anne of Green Gables, follow the drama of a plucky orphan whose passions run deep in her unlikely home with a spinster and her soft-spoken bachelor brother.
Pride & Prejudice
More Austen. More Keira. The actress was nominated for an Oscar for her wonderful performance as the iconic Elizabeth. She's rarely been better.
Bridgerton
63 million people have already watched the streaming giant's sumptuous 8-parter. Are you one of them? If not, get on it.
The Other Boleyn Girl
This is not a subtle film, but it's a lot of fun. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson play two sisters pursued by Henry VIII. We all know how this one ends...
Mary Queen of Scots
Saoirse Ronan played the ill-fated nemesis to Margot Robbie's Elizabeth I in this stirring historical interpretation from Josie Rourke. The costumes are particularly sumptuous.
Ophelia
Daisy Ridley played the tragic heroine in this reimagining of the Shakespeare play where Hamlet's girlfriend draws the focus. Clive Owen and Naomi Watts co-star.
Meanwhile, after seeing the on-screen chemistry between main characters Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, people really started talking about their off-screen love life.
Shutting down any rumours, 31-year-old Regé-Jean told Access, "I think that everything you need to know is on camera. All the sparks that flew came off the beautiful scripts we were handed.
"So I think that the sparky words, scripts and material are more than enough."
You can stream Bridgerton series 1 on Netflix now.