During the first year of the COVID pandemic, when the world was shutting down and learning how to make sourdough bread and cloth facemasks, a Regency drama debuted on Netflix and exploded into our consciousness. Bridgerton launched in December 2020 and gave us something to hang on to over the the dark months of our first COVID winter.

The series, produced by Shonda Rhimes and created by Chris Van Dusen, centers around the eight Bridgerton siblings as they navigate the London season and all of the temptations and social games the season brings. Through teas, balls and orchestrated social maneuverings, the Bridgerton family stakes their claim on upper crust of London society.

The utterly unique thing about this series in that it exists in an alternate universe where racial integration and equality thrives in Regency era London. This idea came to show creator, Van Dusen, when they began to explore the debate surrounding the 1940s African ancestry claim of Queen Charlotte. Van Dusen was captivated by the idea of a fully embraced truth of a mixed-race monarch and what that would do for society in general.

Though the novels, by Julia Quinn, that the series are based on do not explore the racial diversity that the series does, this conscious decision is integral to the construct of the series. Creators are firm that the series is not colour blind but it explores an alternative history and narrative that would have embraced racial diversity and set the tone for a different reality for all.

The first two seasons of this sow have been devoured by fans. Interest continues to grow as the series nears the debut of their third season. Here are a few things you need to know.

The novel series contains eight books, one for each Bridgerton sibling. The first two seasons of the show followed the love stories of siblings Daphne (Season One) and Anthony (Season Two. While all of the siblings appear in these seasons, the stories revolve around Daphne and Anthony as main characters in their respective seasons. According to the books, it should be sibling Benedict’s turn in Season three but Rhimes has hinted that Colin or Penelope may be next up.

There have been no official announcements on casting decisions for Season Three yet there has been some heavy speculations. It is rumored that fan favourites Ruth Gemmell, Claudia Jessie, Ruby Stokes and Will Tilson will all return this next season. Fans also have their fingers crossed that Golda Rosheuvel will return in her role of Queen Charolette.

Season two just dropped on March 22, 2022 but it has already been confirmed that Bridgerton will be coming back for Season Three and Season Four. More news will be coming as the series goes back in to development. For now, enjoy Season Two … streaming now on Netflix.