‘Bridgerton’ Cast: What Rege-Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor and More Look Like in Real Life

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix

‘Bridgerton’ Cast: What Rege-Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor and More Look Like in Real Life

Another scoop worthy of Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers: The cast of Bridgerton is nearly unrecognizable outside of the show. The Netflix series, which premiered in December 2020, quickly won over viewers with its grand set pieces and lavish 19th-century aesthetics. The actors, including Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Jonathan Bailey and Nicola Coughlan, were relative newcomers to many when Bridgerton became the most successful show in the streaming platform’s history. So, seeing what the stars look like in the real world is surprising — to say the least. Part of the magic that makes Bridgerton feel authentic as a period piece comes from the costumes. “Basically, all together, inclusive of our principal wardrobe, there were costume pieces equaling 7,500,” costume designer Ellen Mirojnick told Harper’s Bazaar in December 2020, noting that the figure refers to individual items rather than outfits. “It’s kind of like cooking. You need to have the ingredients to be able to make the costume that’s necessary.” The creatives behind the show, which is based on Julia Quinn’s book series, brought new life to the characters by infusing the Regency era “with a bit of a modern sensibility,” thanks to embellishments, bright colors and more contemporary twists. “Make it aspirational, intriguing, and with somewhat of a layer that would actually be very imaginative,” Mirojnick explained. [jwplayer Z1yBmLRX-zhNYySv2] Hair and makeup factored into the cast’s transformations too. “The overall concept for the Bridgerton world allowed for an unconventional approach to just about everything,” Mirojnick noted. “Our first conversations regarding character design always included hair and makeup. After studying our look books and discussing design direction, everyone interpreted historical references into our ‘new norm’ for the show. The hair and makeup designers were on exactly the same page and followed suit.” Makeup and hair designer Marc Pilcher used the characters’ beauty looks to convey more than just the time period. “I like to see how I can represent a character’s personality through the hair and makeup,” he told Vogue in January 2021. “For instance, I wanted to reflect the no-nonsense attitude of Eloise — who is a free thinker and a feminist — so I gave her a mullet, which was in fashion in Regency times.” Diverse casting allowed for expanded opportunities as well. “From a design point of view, it was amazing,” Pilcher said. “When I researched Queen Charlotte and found out that she was of African descent, it gave me so much more scope to create her beautiful looks. I used the silhouettes of the period but in a celebration of her ethnicity, I used locks, braids and Afro-textured styles. Her giant Afro was in the shape of a Gainsborough wig, but influenced by Beyoncé as Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers in Goldmember.” Scroll through the gallery below to see what the cast of Bridgerton looks like on screen and off: [podcast_block]

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix

‘Bridgerton’ Cast: What Rege-Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor and More Look Like in Real Life

Another scoop worthy of Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers: The cast of Bridgerton is nearly unrecognizable outside of the show. The Netflix series, which premiered in December 2020, quickly won over viewers with its grand set pieces and lavish 19th-century aesthetics. The actors, including Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Jonathan Bailey and Nicola Coughlan, were relative newcomers to many when Bridgerton became the most successful show in the streaming platform’s history. So, seeing what the stars look like in the real world is surprising — to say the least. Part of the magic that makes Bridgerton feel authentic as a period piece comes from the costumes. “Basically, all together, inclusive of our principal wardrobe, there were costume pieces equaling 7,500,” costume designer Ellen Mirojnick told Harper’s Bazaar in December 2020, noting that the figure refers to individual items rather than outfits. “It’s kind of like cooking. You need to have the ingredients to be able to make the costume that’s necessary.” The creatives behind the show, which is based on Julia Quinn’s book series, brought new life to the characters by infusing the Regency era “with a bit of a modern sensibility,” thanks to embellishments, bright colors and more contemporary twists. “Make it aspirational, intriguing, and with somewhat of a layer that would actually be very imaginative,” Mirojnick explained. [jwplayer Z1yBmLRX-zhNYySv2] Hair and makeup factored into the cast’s transformations too. “The overall concept for the Bridgerton world allowed for an unconventional approach to just about everything,” Mirojnick noted. “Our first conversations regarding character design always included hair and makeup. After studying our look books and discussing design direction, everyone interpreted historical references into our ‘new norm’ for the show. The hair and makeup designers were on exactly the same page and followed suit.” Makeup and hair designer Marc Pilcher used the characters’ beauty looks to convey more than just the time period. “I like to see how I can represent a character’s personality through the hair and makeup,” he told Vogue in January 2021. “For instance, I wanted to reflect the no-nonsense attitude of Eloise — who is a free thinker and a feminist — so I gave her a mullet, which was in fashion in Regency times.” Diverse casting allowed for expanded opportunities as well. “From a design point of view, it was amazing,” Pilcher said. “When I researched Queen Charlotte and found out that she was of African descent, it gave me so much more scope to create her beautiful looks. I used the silhouettes of the period but in a celebration of her ethnicity, I used locks, braids and Afro-textured styles. Her giant Afro was in the shape of a Gainsborough wig, but influenced by Beyoncé as Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers in Goldmember.” Scroll through the gallery below to see what the cast of Bridgerton looks like on screen and off: [podcast_block]

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Courtesy of Phoebe Dynevor/Instagram

Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne Bridgerton)

Fans applauded the actress for her impeccable neck acting on the show. However, she confessed in her February 2021 L’Officiel cover story she “didn’t even know” how much work her neck was doing until her sister mentioned it. “I think with the corset — and my need to express Daphne’s anxiety — there was a lot of sort of neck action,” she added. “It was about displaying two different emotions. And not making her feel like this sort of Disney princess — that everything’s great, because she’s scared and vulnerable underneath all of that wide-eyed naiveté.”  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Will Heath/NBC

Rege-Jean Page (Simon Basset)

Page is hardly new to acting, but he became a household name overnight after embodying the Duke of Hastings. “You might dream of him, the one we call the Duke of Hastings,” executive producer Shonda Rhimes gushed in February 2021. “But in reality, Regé-Jean Page is finer than fiction and better than any dream. He is that rare actor, one who brings an intensity, an intelligence and a precision to his work, providing endless depth to any scene. His disappearance into character builds a vibrant world for us to enter, making it impossible to imagine any other actor playing the role.”  

The Roots alum exited Bridgerton in April 2021 ahead of season 2, telling Variety that his role was always intended to be “a one-season arc” and noting that there is “value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing.”

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Dan Wooller/Shutterstock

Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton)

Bailey’s character is set to take center stage in season 2 of the series. “Bearing in mind the internet is a place where anyone can say anything, there hasn’t been anyone who’s had any animosity, or challenged it, so that’s good,” he told the Evening Standard in March 2021 of whether he has received backlash for playing a straight role as a gay actor.  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Courtesy of Nicola Coughlan/Instagram

Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington)

Coughlan clapped back at a podcast host who referred to her as “the fat girl from Bridgerton” in March 2021, tweeting, “I have a name.” She later added in follow-up tweets: “Can we judge actors for their work and not their bodies … Also can we please stop asking women about their weight in interviews, especially when it [is] completely irrelevant.”  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Courtesy of Luke Newton/YouTube

Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton)

Newton revealed in March 2021 that he is not as outgoing as his character, Colin. “I can actually be quite shy,” he told POPSUGAR. “I think sometimes people would think that I have a lack of interest or that I’m being too abrupt or seem rude. Back when we could have parties last, I remember wanting to introduce myself to a group of people, but I just felt quite intimidated. And I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to.’ So, I had to get a mate to be like, ‘This is Luke. He’s my friend.’”  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Fox/YouTube

Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton)

“The fun of Benedict is that he seems to be a bit of a mystery and even a mystery to himself, actually, so I guess in terms of playing him going forward, I sort of think it’s probably good that I don’t really know or I don’t really think about what I hope will happen,” Thompson told Extra in February 2021. “I sort of trust that they’ll just find something fun, that he’ll just carry on working things out for himself.” 

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Cosmopolitan UK/YouTube

Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton)

Coughlan admitted in February 2021 that she accidentally poked Jessie with a parasol during filming as she adjusted to her era-specific wardrobe. “She started bleeding,” the Irish actress recalled on The Kelly Clarkson Show. “But she’s still my friend! But unfortunately, there was a stabbing on the first day and I was guilty. It was not good.”  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Courtesy of Ruby Barker/Instagram

Ruby Barker (Marina Thompson)

The actress joked in February 2021 about why she did not watch the series with her relatives. “Oh God, no,” she told the Daily Mail. “I don’t watch it with my family. I don’t need to look at Regé’s bottom with my dad! I’m perfectly fine watching it on my own.”

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for SAG Awards

Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury)

Andoh told Good Housekeeping in January 2021 that she appreciates Lady Danbury’s “relationship with the other older women on the show,” adding: “I love the way they band together to have agency over situations that you wouldn’t imagine women of that period having — literally, women were the property of men through marriage or whatever.” In addition to exploring her character’s friendships, the actress would like for her to look for a love match. “Maybe to see Lady Danbury having a bit of a romance of her own?”  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton)

While Lady Bridgerton loves her children equally, Gemmell has a favorite. “I am drawn to Eloise,” she told Shondaland in January 2021. “I admire her strength of character, her humor, and I am slightly envious of her outspokenness — direct but fair and always with charm.” 

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Polly Walker (Portia Featherington)

“She was misunderstood and harshly judged. She is larger than life and puts herself out there; she wears her heart on her sleeve. I like her very much,” Walker told The Sunday Post of her character in February 2021. “The fact she has such big, bold emotions and experiences within the show is fun to play out as an actor. I know it’s horrible slapping someone across the face and that it shouldn’t be fun but it is. Playing someone who is naughty is far more interesting than playing the goody-goody.”  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Courtesy of Golda Rosheuvel/Instagram

Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte)

The actress opened up about representation on the hit series. “There’s not a lot of us around who are gay, female, Black and I’m very privileged and blessed to be one of them,” she told Page Six in February 2021. “I’m not saying that I speak for a community. I’m a small voice in that community, but I think each of us who has a small voice creates something big and something wonderful for the next generation to see themselves and be proud of.”  

Credit: Netflix; Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

Ruby Stokes (Francesca Bridgerton)

Stokes’ Francesca was largely missing from season 1, but her character is sure to have a more prominent role in future installments as she is the focus of book six in Quinn’s series, When He Was Wicked.  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Courtesy of Florence Hunt/Instagram

Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton)

The actress was 13 when Bridgerton premiered in December 2020.  

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Courtesy of Will Tilston/Instagram

Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton)

Tilston, who plays Hyacinth’s older brother, is actually only three weeks older than Hunt. He was also 13 when Bridgerton debuted. 

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; Shutterstock

Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma)

The Sex Education alum was tapped to play eldest brother Anthony’s love interest in Bridgerton season 2. Kate is the protagonist of Quinn’s The Viscount Who Loved Me novel.

“It’s a very beautiful love story,” Ashley told Glamour in March 2022. “What's even more beautiful about it is that they're very good friends. They have great sportsmanship and partnership throughout the whole thing, and I feel like that's what Johnny and I brought. When we were working together in the scenes, there was a partnership there. … It’s a very interesting enemies-to-lovers story. They have a lot of friction at the beginning because they resonate with whatever traits that annoy each other within themselves, and then that breeds chemistry.”

Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix; David Fisher/Shutterstock

Charithra Chandran (Edwina Sharma)

Chandran, another season 2 newcomer, plays the younger sister of Ashley’s Kate. Edwina, who also appeared in The Viscount Who Loved Me, is considered the “diamond” of the social season, who Anthony is initially set on marrying.

“The show is about all the different types of love that you have,” the Alex Rider actress told Entertainment Weekly in February 2022. “For Edwina and Kate, although it is a love story, they are each other's soulmates. We often focus on romance being the center of our lives, but in most cases it's not. That relationship shows that — no matter what happens, these two will always choose each other.”