One of the many reasons viewers find themselves glued to the Netflix series Bridgerton is the heartwarming dynamic between the Bridgerton siblings. Their genuine affection for each other shines through, creating a refreshing contrast to the social climbers and gossip mongers of London’s high society, known as the Ton.
Bridgerton Siblings
The family consists of eight children, named alphabetically from oldest to youngest: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. These siblings stand out from the Ton with their genuine love for each other. This is evident from the first season and even now in the first episode of Season 3 “Out of the Shadows”. We see Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), upon returning from his travels, showering his siblings with thoughtful gifts. He didn’t forget them for a moment during his absence. He brought back a present for everyone who was there, including his mother, Dowager Viscountess Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell). This love extends to playful moments as well. When Colin presents a bow and arrow set for their younger brother Gregory (Will Tilston), Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), with a competitive glint in his eye, wastes no time in gathering everyone for a game.
A family with a strong foundation
The Bridgerton drawing room, where they spend a significant amount of family time, always has a lighthearted and calm atmosphere. Their enjoyment of each other’s company is palpable. It is truly delightful to watch a large, loving family interact, converse, and have fun together. They seem to possess a deep understanding of one another, likely stemming from the very foundation of their family. All of which is delightful to watch, Even when they have tense moments, you know it comes from a place of love and concern.
Theirs is a bond built on a deep understanding, likely fostered from a young age. Most likely because Dowager Viscountess Violet Bridgerton and her husband’s marriage was a love match. They had a passionate and deep connection, as explored in both Season Two of Bridgerton and the spin-off series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Their deep love for one another, wealth, and privilege created a happy home, and the perfect conditions to have so many children.
The Featherington Siblings
In contrast, scenes at the Featherington household paint a starkly different picture. Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and her sisters, Phillipa (Harriet Cains) and Prudence Featherington (Bessie Carter), constantly appear frustrated with one another. Lady Featherington (Polly Walker) seems on edge, anticipating the next disaster to befall their family. You get the sense that while they are physically present together all the time, they lack a deeper connection. We see evidence of this when Penelope’s love for reading is often ridiculed by her family. They wouldn’t inquire about her specific reading preferences or what she recently enjoyed. They mainly tease her for it.
Since season one, the sisters seem to often compete with each other. Whether it was who would find a husband in season 1 or who would be the first to bring an heir in season 3, there has been little evidence of support among the sisters. I don’t think there is ill will among each other, but rather envy and competitiveness. Even when their cousin, Miss Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker), was living in the home, there was tension and competitiveness among the four. Especially between Marina and Penelope, who were both competing for the attention of Colin Bridgerton.
Only Child Cressia Cowper
The Bridgertons are truly unique among the Ton’s many families when it comes to sibling relationships. Cressida Cowper, an only child, embodies the loneliness that can accompany such a situation. Born the only child of Lord Benjamin and Lady Margaret Cowper she even describes her home as a “mausoleum” to Eloise (Claudia Jessie). Jessica Madsen who plays Cressida in the show says it’s been interesting to delve into Cressida’s backstory, which is darker than she expected. She found it interesting to explore Cressida’s friendship with Eloise, who is completely opposite from her. Madsen thinks this friendship allows Cressida to open up more and question herself. While Cressida genuinely wants to be Eloise’s friend, Madsen acknowledges there might be an element of self-serving motives at the beginning.
” The friendship with Eloise is an interesting one. They’ve become friends in the time that we haven’t seen, so we start seeing them straight into their friendship. They are really interesting characters because they are complete opposites, and they hold a very interesting mirror up to each other, so it’s been really cool to explore that with Claudia.”
When asked whether Cressida’s friendship with Eloise is drawing out of her she said “Eloise questions Cressida, but in a very trusting, non-judgmental way. Cressida, probably for the first time in her life, learns to trust someone and doesn’t feel judged, so she opens up more and starts to question herself.” For Eloise, it’s easy to be open and vulnerable because she has always had a safe space to be in her family. Whereas Cressida has not.
Lady Danbury and Lord Marcus Anderson
This season also introduces another set of siblings – Lady Danbury and Lord Marcus Anderson. Lord Marcus’s arrival throws light on a strained relationship, the reasons for which remain unclear.
When asked about her character, Lady Danbury getting an unexpected visit from her brother this season, actress AdjoaAndoh stated “This season, I got an unexpected visit from my little brother. He’s widowed, I don’t have much to do with him, and during this season you will understand why I’ve implacably not had much to do with him. However, he is fed up with being a widower, so he comes to town and has designs on my friend. I am not happy, I do not trust him.”
She goes on to say “I felt that something that happened in the past makes him not trustworthy, and I love Violet because, as we know, I loved Lord Ledger, her father. So, I don’t want her to be hurt or wounded by someone I’m not 100 percent convinced is reliable — particularly when that someone happens to be of my blood. So, I’d rather say “Brother, if you need a lady, I will find you a lady, just not that lady.”
Queen Charlotte tie-ins
Actress Adjoa Andoh says the prequel series Queen Charlotte explains Lady Danbury’s background and motivations in Bridgerton. We learn Lady Danbury was brought to England as a child to be married off, but despite an unhappy marriage, she finds joy and uses her strategic mind to navigate high society. The prequel shows how Lady Danbury becomes the strong, independent woman we see in Bridgerton. But we know little about the family she left behind or her brother Lord Marcus Anderson. The spin-off series Queen Charlotte further emphasizes the rarity of the Bridgertons’ bond. Queen Charlotte is separated from her family in the very first episode and sent away to marry the King. While hints of a strong bond with her brother exist, she’s denied the opportunity to nurture that close relationship.
One thing is certain: within the Ton, the Bridgertons are an exception when it comes to close-knit sibling bonds. Their unwavering love and support for one another offer a welcome respite from the often cutthroat world they navigate.
The highly-anticipated conclusion of Bridgerton season 3 hits Netflix on June 13th.
