Bridgerton Season 2 First Look: The Regency Romance Is Steamier Than Ever

Things are heating up for the eldest Bridgerton boy, based on our latest glimpse at Netflix' steamy regency romance. Season 2 of "Bridgerton" is mere months away, so it's officially time to get hyped about corsets, fencing, and ye olde flirting practices. 

While the first season told the love story of the eldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), and the irresistible Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), the time has come to move on from their eventful courtship. It's hard to let them go — the pair went from passionate enemies to lovers to a fake dating ruse that was painfully full of pining. Even when they eventually admitted their mutual feelings, those two still found obstacles to delay their happy ending. Thankfully, the couple are now so in love that Regé-Jean Page need not return for further conflict.

Alas, the show must go on without the smoldering duke — but there's plenty of material to keep the romance going. "Bridgerton" is based on Julia Quinn's novel series of the same name, which centers a different Bridgerton sibling's love story in each book. Season 2 is based on "The Viscount Who Loved Me," which tells the tale of Daphne's brother, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey). The first season saw the Bridgerton boy call off his ongoing affair with the opera singer Siena Rosso (Sabrina Bartlett) to uphold his obligations as eldest son and marry someone more appropriate for high society life. In the second season, Anthony turns his attention to Kate Sharma (played by "Sex Education" star Simone Ashley), and we've got some first look images hinting at all the heady romance to come.

Because Anthony is a Bridgerton and Netflix has a drama to make, this courtship probably won't go smoothly. In fact, according to our very first look at the season, Kate and Anthony will get off to a very rocky start. These Bridgerton's have quite a talent for pissing off their soulmates before the relationship can properly blossom but hopefully, Anthony's mistakes don't keep them apart for very long.

Netflix

Based on the image above, Kate looks pretty ready to hold her own against the Bridgeton boys. If Anthony wants to keep all his limbs, he probably shouldn't piss off a woman who looks so comfortable with a rifle. Fingers are crossed for his survival, though it wouldn't hurt to call in the family protection squad.

Netflix

Netflix

As Anthony continues on his quest to find love, the many Bridgerton siblings will be at his side with support. Though she has no Duke on her arm this time around, Daphne is back for season 2 — hopefully with the intent of talking some sense into her older brothers. She knows a thing or two about men needing to get their act together, and it certainly won't be her first time putting Anthony in his place. 

Netflix

Another image shows the three Bridgerton brothers — who I'm 99% are just carbon copies of the same person — fencing! This isn't the slightest bit important to the plot, but it's very crucial for, um, entertainment reasons.

Netflix

Netflix

Elsewhere in the high society world, the not-so-mysterious Lady Whistedown continues to write her gossip-filled pamphlets for high society, and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) just can't get enough. Little does she know that the person behind all-knowing figure is (SPOILER ALERT) none other than the young Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), whose best friend Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) is still determined to suss out her secret identity. Happy hunting, Eloise!

Season 2 of "Bridgerton" hits Netflix on March 25, 2021.