If you were to ask us what we’re most excited about for the hotly anticipated return of Bridgerton early next year, we’d have to say it's the cast of new characters.
With the departure of Rege-Jean Page’s Duke of Hastings (aka Simon Basset) and in keeping with the books by Julia Quinn, series two will put another love affair under the spotlight – that of Viscount Anthony Bridgerton and newcomer Kate Sharma.
Along with Kate comes the rest of her family, with her younger sister, Edwina Sharma, taking on a character all her own. Here’s everything we know so far about Edwina Sharma and the actor who plays her, Charithra Chandran.
Who is Edwina Sharma Bridgerton?
Introduced as the innocent younger sister of the show’s new romantic lead, it’s actually Edwina who first catches the Viscounts eye, before his attentions land on her sister.
“Edwina has been taught by her older sister Kate to be the perfect debutante,” explains Netflix. “She’s kind-natured and endlessly endearing. But while she may be young and naive, she also knows what she wants: a true love match.”
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Who is Charithra Chandran?
The actress who’s landed the coveted Netflix role is Charithra Chandran, but you might not recognise her from anywhere else as she’s a relative newcomer to TV, having only recently graduated from Oxford with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (impressive).
But you can expect to see a whole lot more of her because she’s also set to appear as Sabina Pleasure in the second series of another book dramatisation, Alex Rider, which looks as though it will be streaming on Amazon Prime around the same time as Bridgerton.
While she’s got lots of stage work credits to her name, this is her first major TV role.
How old is Edwina Sharma Bridgerton?
While the characters exact age is not known, she’s not yet been presented as a debutante and so we can assume she’s in her early teens.
CHECK OUT: Season 2 Bridgerton cast
Season 2 Bridgerton cast
1 of 5Simone Ashley who will play Kate Sharma
If you haven't been living under a rock these past couple years, you'll probably recognise Simone from a not-so-little Netflix original called Sex Education. In the show, Simone plays 'cool' girl Olivia but, now cast for Bridgerton's second season, she will be playing Kate Sharma. According to Shondaland TV, Kate is, "equal parts headstrong and whip smart."Her sharp wit and independent nature make her a singular force on the 1814 marriage mart, where she hopes to secure a love match for her younger sister, Edwina."You can follow Simone on Instagram @SimoneAsshley.
2 of 5Charithra Chandran who will play Edwina Sharma
Charithra is a British-Indian actress who is relatively new to the acting industry but has previously starred in IMdb's Alex Rider series. Now, for Bridgerton season two, she will be playing Edwina Sharma (Kate Sharma's younger sister). In a statement about the character, Netflix wrote, "Edwina has been taught by her older sister Kate to be the perfect debutante."She's kind natured and endlessly endearing. But while she may be young and naive, she also knows what she wants: a true love match."You can follow Charithra on Instagram @Charithra17.
3 of 5Shelley Conn who will play Mary Sharma
Shelley has had quite the fruitful acting career and has starred in everything from Silent Witness to, would you believe it, Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In Bridgerton's second series, she will play Kate Sharma's mother, Mary. In her Twitter introduction, it was revealed that, "Lady Mary's marriage once embroiled her and her family in scandal."Now newly returned to London with her daughters, she's forced to endure the scrutiny of the ton yet again."You can follow Shelley on Twitter @Shelley_Conn.
4 of 5Calam Lynch who will be playing Theo Sharp
Calam, who has previously starred in the likes of Dunkirk and Derry Girls, will be starring as Theo Sharpe who, according to Netflix, is "A hardworking printer's assistant. "But he's not just a working class man, he's also an intellectual who fights for the rights for all."You can follow Calam on Instagram @CalamLynch.
5 of 5Rupert Young who will play jack
In the past, Rupert has starred in Doc Martin, Merlin and Doctor Who, among other things. Now, ahead of Bridgerton's second season, he has been cast as Jack. According to Netflix, Jack is, "The newest member of the ton with a connection to one of its most notable families."You can follow Rupert on Instagram @RupertFYoung.
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Who is Edwina Sharma Bridgerton’s sister?
Edwina’s older sister Kate will take on the romantic female lead in series two with her tempestuous relationship with Anthony Bridgerton, the oldest Bridgerton sibling. From what we’ve seen so far, we can expect fireworks from the very start as their initial meetings are more than a little frosty.
Kate Sharma is played by Sex Education's Simone Ashley.
When is Bridgerton series 2 starting?
Back in April 2021 it was confirmed that Bridgerton had been renewed for a second series after the massive success of its first. While an official start date has yet to be announced, cast and crew have been working on the show since the spring and so it's expected to drop next year.
Making the announcement in an official statement in January 2021, Lady Whistledown said, “The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honour to impart to you: Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season,” her statement read. “I do hope you have stored a bottle of ratafia for this most delightful occasion.”
Who is returning to Bridgerton series 2?
Series one heartthrob Regé-Jean Page, who played the smouldering Duke of Hastings, revealed he wouldn’t be reprising his role back in April, and that series two will focus on “Lord Anthony Bridgerton's quest to find a Viscountess”. And despite her husband's departure, the Duchess of Hastings (Daphne Bridgerton) will “remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season.”
Regency London is also welcoming five new cast members for brand new roles, as well as welcoming back the rest of the OG cast.