Warning: This list contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 2.
The highly anticipated second season of Bridgerton is officially here and filled with new couples that have audiences thinking, "Daphne and Simon who? With new characters, there is no shortage of couples and the show explores a variety of storylines with each new relationship.
Filled with forbidden romances and more than one love triangle, season 2 couples keep audiences guessing about who will stay together and what characters are ultimately willing to do for love.
The Featheringtons are in for a surprise when they meet the new Lord Featherington in season 2. As he comes down the stairs the two oldest Featherington sisters say, "I thought the heir was old" and "I thought the heir was ugly" to which the Lord hilariously replies, "He was ugly and old. So old, well, he died."
Hands down the funniest relationship, Prudence and Jack are a complete sham of a couple. Prudence is not fully in on the game but she is aware enough to know to play along but still naive enough to expect real romance. Little does she know of the plotting and flirtations between her mother and Jack. Lucky for Prudence, at the end of the season, her mother has other plans for Jack that no longer involve her.
The audience may have smelled this one coming as Lady Featherington has major Julie Cooper (The OC) vibes. At first, the pair are at odds as they navigate a new social order within the Featherington household, however, their financial situation intertwines their fates and brings the two together to scheme on ways to make money.
As Portia shows her cunningness and Jack plays along, the two begin a flirtatious relationship. When their scheme is revealed, Portia turns the tables on Jack and sends him packing back to America.
While Kate is doing her best to ignore her growing attraction to Anthony, she gets some relief from his friend, Thomas Dorsett. Although originally a setup by Anthony to keep Kate distracted, the chemistry between Thomas and Kate is automatic and natural.
With Thomas, Kate seems able to relax and show a friendlier side than what she offers Anthony. Although Thomas never really had a chance in comparison with Anthony, there was genuine interest between Kate and Thomas and they do seem like they would be very good friends.
Benedict, the free-spirited bohemian brother of the Bridgerton family, meets model, Tessa, who poses nude for his art class. Later that night he returns the favor by posing naked for her, beginning an affair. Their relationship gets limited screen time for development and is uncertain at the end of the season because Benedict decides to leave art school after finding out that he was only accepted because of Anthony's donation.
After season 1, many fans were uncertain of Benedict's sexuality, however, his season 2 romance seems to put him in one lane. Will Benedict find romance in season 3 according to the book order? Showrunners hint that they may have another Bridgerton story in mind.
Colin and Penelope are reunited in season 2 after Colin returns from his travels. His time away has shown him how much he values Penelope in his life. When he expresses this to Penelope she is absolutely thrilled, however, Colin continues to have other relationships on his mind, namely, Marina.
He is still clearly heartbroken and blames Lady Whistledown for his misfortune. At the end of season 2, Penelope is still singing Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me," however, Colin is singing a different tune. At least that is what he is telling his friends.
The surface-level relationship between Anthony and Edwina looks perfect on paper. Edwina meets all of Anthony's "requirements" for a wife and Anthony is everything she has dreamed of in her fantasy of a perfect marriage. However, neither of the characters admit to the full reality of their relationship until their wedding day when Harry Styles' "Sign of the Times" reveals that "We don't talk enough / We should open up / Before it's all too much."
Edwina sees Anthony's affection for Kate at the altar and for the first time in her life, decides for herself and chooses not to go through with the marriage. Later she explains to Kate, "I am done with playing a part, I want to know myself truly." This was a shining moment for Edwina and makes her one of the best characters in the show. Audiences no doubt were pleased when the Queen told Edwina that she would introduce her to her nephew, the Prince.
Fans have likely wondered if King George would ever make an appearance on screen and he finally has. Although King George had limited screentime, it is clear that there is a depth of feelings between himself and Queen Charlotte. The King bursts into the room while the Queen is holding an audience with Edwina. The King believes it is his own wedding day and expresses excitement about fireworks and his beautiful bride. The Queen is shocked at first, embarrassed, and then emotional about the state of her husband.
After the incident, Edwina says to the Queen, "All that I have witnessed is the love a king shares with his queen, and nothing more." After all of this, the Queen tells Edwina that everyone deserves to feel the power of true love, and although there is a tinge of regret in her voice, it is obvious that she has experienced it herself.
Bridgerton fans are no doubt relieved that Eloise found love outside of the ballroom. Theo Sharpe is one of the best new characters in Bridgerton season 2. Although societally unacceptable, it is a very fitting relationship for Eloise because their relationship is a meeting of the minds. They share a love for reading and exploring different ways of thinking.
They are young, their relationship is innocent, and it is a refreshing change of pace compared to other relationships in the show. Eloise ends their budding romance at the end of the season following Penelope's advice but hopefully, the two will have a second chance in season 3!
A great addition to season 2 was the flashbacks that revealed the depth of Lord Edmund Bridgerton and his wife's relationship. When Edmund is introduced, he is picking flowers for his wife that he knows she will "adore." When he dies moments later, he shares a loving look with his wife and she is the last thing he sees.
When it is time for Lady Violet to give birth to their final child together, she is distraught that her husband is not there. Years later, Lady Violet comforts Anthony that she is at peace with her husband's death and she encourages him to pursue the same kind of love that she was able to experience. Despite all social appearances, she is insistent that Anthony follow his heart.
Anthony and Kate's relationship is the headliner of Season 2 and it does not disappoint. It is love at first sight when they meet on horseback in the park. The chemistry between them is palpable in every scene thereafter, however, they both ignore their feelings in favor of his relationship with Edwina.
A turning point in their relationship is when Kate is stung by a bee and calms Anthony during his panic attack by placing his hand on her heart. One of the biggest plot differences between season 2 and the book is that in the book, Anthony and Kate do not love each other yet at this moment, but are discovered by their parents and forced to marry. They fall in love later. Many fans would agree that the slow burn romance of the show was far more satisfying and it is a triumphant moment when the queen gives her consent to their relationship at the final ball.
