As Bridgerton Season Two races towards the finish line, there are still some surprises and scandals left in store for the families Bridgerton, Sharma, and Featherington. But there is also an absolute avalanche of insights, self-awareness, and good old fashioned personal growth. It’s episode 8, and our HEA is at hand. Featuring: - Bestie vs bestie - Classism - Purpose - Gamblers and wastrels - A mother’s love - Head bumps (metaphoric and otherwise) - The mother apology tour of 2022 - Scorched...

After the drama and literal fireworks of episode 6, this episode follows our two still-separate families through the aftermath. Lady Bridgerton and Lady Danbury work to move through the scandal with soft diplomacy, public appearances, and a surprise ball… But it turns out that this brief period of peace is but the eye of the storm and another Bridgerton is about to face the consequences of her own decision. Oh…and there’s fireworks in this episode too - wink, wink, nudge,...

With Special Guest Host: Jenna Guillaume Fireworks, peacocks, flowers, and food - every detail is in place for the wedding of the season…and a trap for Lady Whistledown. But Anthony and Edwina are approaching their nuptials from VERY different places and they aren’t the only ones for whom this wedding will be transformative. This episode is called the choice and friends, choices WILL be made. *please note: this was recorded before the Queen Charlotte miniseries was released, so the...

Please note: this episode was recorded in 2022, and some details have since changed and/or been confirmed. For example, we now know that Bridgerton S3 is about Colin and Penelope. In this bonus episode Adele interviews Elise and Priscilla, two psychologists who look at mental health representation in fiction on their podcast Novel Feelings. The discussion covers realism, escapism, the cycle of hero/anti-hero, charisma, women as consumers, grief, loss, personal growth, and Jonathan Bayley’s...

‘You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires’ We all get a little fluttery this episode, but really…can you blame us? Featuring: - Substitute nudity - Women in context - Privilege just all over the place - Slumming it in Bloomsbury - Jealousy, Ambition, and Class - Lady Featherington fan club - Bee gate, gun gate, library gate - Don’t try on the ring. - White shirts; wet shirts - Family mode activated Here are is the media we talk about in this episode: - Why Write,...

In this bonus episode Kate interviews Sunny Singh, novelist, Professor of Creative Writing and Inclusion in the Arts at London Metropolitan University, co-creator of the Jhalak Prize, and expert on Hindi Cinema. Sunny is a lively, knowledgeable, and generous guest, and our interview moves through the long and vibrant history of commercial film in South Asia, the political history and geography of Hindi cinema, and contemporary representation within the Global North. We also discuss Kate,...

Tensions at Aubrey Hall are HIGH, friends, and this episode is not going to make things any easier. After a few days of getting to know each other in quieter surrounds, the Bridgertons and Sharmas are about to be joined by the rest of the ton, as everyone takes to the country for Lady Bridgerton’s Heart and Flowers ball. There are certainly flowers and hearts, though the latter aren’t always beating in the right direction. We have not one but two surprise proposals leading to what will...

In this bonus episode Adele interviews Sarina Cevaal-Hewitt, the NEDCA Regional Director of Croquet Victoria. Sarina believes that croquet is a game for life, and is as interested in promoting the social benefits as the competitive ones. She shares her thoughts on the history of the game, the Bridgerton game play, and how croquet is ‘very nice people playing a very vicious game’. Books and other media we discuss: - Bridgerton, the TV show - Croquet Victoria - The Viscount who Loved Me, a...

First, some housekeeping: we’re so very sorry that it’s taken us so long to get back to these episodes. We missed you, and we are so grateful that you’ve stayed with us. We will have a much more regular release schedule from this point forward. Thank you. Second, unfortunately Rudi has to step back for the minute due to work commitments. For the remainder of this season we will be inviting special guest hosts, but no one can ever replace her, and we look forward to when she is able to join...

In this bonus episode Kate interviews Dr Javaria Farooqui, an assistant professor at COMSATS University, Lahore. She recently wrote an article about the nuanced reception of the television series Bridgerton. In this episode, we talk about what British Imperialism is, and how the history of Britain in South Asia affects the second season of Bridgerton. Please note: this discussion contains discussions of colonisation practices, racism, and colonial violence. Features: - The East India...

The Queen names her diamond, and your hosts are mostly just confused as to the whats, hows, and whys of diamond status. Meanwhile, Kate and Anthony continue to clash and it’s honestly the best foreplay we’ve seen on screen in a long time. It’s Bridgerton Season 2, episode 2 and listeners, we are off to the races! This episode is brought to you by Kensington Books author Kat Martin and her new series of high-octane romantic thrillers, pairing bone-chilling adventure with pulse-raising...

In this bonus episode we welcome back friend of the pod Dr Jodi McAlister, who sits down with Kate to discuss how romance novel serialisation works, and what that means for this and future seasons of Bridgerton on Netflix. Features: - Vampires and werewolves and sports teams, oh my! - Genre as defined by ‘vibes’ - HEA…and post-HEA - The benefits of time travel - The benefits of sex scenes - Peneloise & Bi-nedict - Books and other Media We Discuss: - Bridgerton, the TV show - The...

Kate [f26] and Edwina [f21] Sharma are freshly arrived from India to launch Edwina into society and land her a wealthy and doting husband. Just so happens that Anthony [m30ish] is both wealthy and wanting - though the ‘doting’ will have to take a backseat to the practical, pleasant marriage that he has planned. Still, no reason why he and Edwina can’t make a real go of it…if only Kate will offer her approval. It’s Bridgerton S2, and Anthony is about to be handed his ass… This episode of...

Our quartet is coming to a close with the straight-talking, pale-looking, wallflower-being, cello-playing Iris [f21] who is sceptical but pleased to be focus of the attention of Sir Richard Kensworthy [m??]. However, after a whirlwind courtship, a little planned compromising, and a quick marriage, Iris arrives at Sir Richard’s estate to find that things are not all that they seem, and love at first sight may actually have been ‘unlikely to say no’ at first sight. It’s all about the secrets...

Sarah [21] and Hugh [29ish] are not what one might call sympatico, but when they are thrown together in close contact at two weddings in a row (oh hello fan service!), things get a little confusing. Sure Hugh ruined Sarah’s cousin’s life for awhile there, and sure Hugh prefers his dramatics in the theatre and not in the drawing room, but they have people they love and loyalties to uphold and fine, they can make it work for the next fortnight, but they don’t have to like it. Until they kiss....

Anne [24] made some bad choices when she was 16 (whomst among us?) but as this is the Regency period, the consequences for her bad choices are exile and a lifetime of service as a governess. But she is content in her position for the Smythe-Smiths and her quiet life, even if it wasn’t what she was raised to expect for herself. Then the oldest Smythe-Smith son, Daniel [29ish], returns from his own exile and turns her quiet life on its head. We’re reading A Night Like This and there are an...

Honoria [21ish] is a very bad violinist but a very good cousin and member of the Smythe-Smith family. Every year, she and her unmarried cousins play in a musicale that corrupts Mozart to a spectacular degree, but it’s tradition and tradition is nice and Honoria loves her family and their traditions. But that doesn’t mean she wants to play in the musicale again. Enter Marcus [29ish], a very reticent Earl for whom the Smythe-Smiths represent the only family he’s ever known. But when he runs...

Welcome to the final episode of What Would Danbury Do? Season Three. In this very special episode, we delve into that most delightful of rabbit holes: your questions! Thanks so much to everyone who reached out during the season and shared your thoughts, feelings, and comments with us. We had such a good time revisiting Bridgerton on Netflix, Season One, and hearing from all of you. Shout outs for this episode go to Robin E, Amalie, Kirsten, Liz, Bea, Mia, Justice for Benedict, E, and...

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but how much is it worth if it hangs in Bridgerton House? Kate spoke with Art Historian, writer and youtuber Nancy Langham-Hooper about portraits, statuary, and a surprising amount of subtext - if you know how to read a room. Featuring: - Hierarchies of art - 18th Century Instagram filters - Decorating tips - Exhibitions and exhibitionism - Wild, wild horses - Wet portraits in the rain Books and other media we discuss: - Sir Joshua Reynolds -...

Like a debutante in her first corset, direct us to the nearest fainting couch, because we have made it to the end. The last episode of Bridgerton ties up loose ends in some very pretty bows, starts off some new threads, and leaves others dangling tantalisingly into season two. And then there’s THE reveal… This is a super-sized episode as we dissect the last episode, all the things that were and the things to come, and do a retrospective of Lady Whistledown’s development in the light of her...

It’s the morning after the night before, and Colin and Marina’s scandal brings everyone back to London and together for the first time since Daphne and Simon’s wedding. But this is not an episode for happy families - everyone is tense AF. At least there’s always ladies’ night... This episode is brought to you by Vanessa Riley’s new novel An Earl, The Girl, and a Toddler, a sweeping, soapy, and utterly romantic read perfect for fans of historical romance with powerful characters of colour,...

Welcome to Season Three of What Would Danbury Do... All Bridgerton. All the time. This episode of What Would Danbury Do is brought to you by Ella Quinn’s latest novel The Most Eligible Viscount in London, a regency romance about what happens when you think too much with your head...and not enough with your heart. With a whole host of quirky secondary characters, The Most Eligible Viscount in London is a slow-burn, character-driven, humour-filled novel and it’s available now wherever you buy...

In this bonus episode Dr Jodi McAlister joins Adele to talk power, purity, and (un)punctured hymens -- that’s right it’s time to talk virginity and virginity loss. Jodi is an author and academic whose work focuses on the history of love, sex, women and girls, popular culture and fiction. Is it any wonder we love her? Features: - A (brief) history of female virginity - The dangers of virginity - Consummate virgins - Absurdly readable bodies - The rise? (and rakish potential) of male...

After the intensity of An Affair of Honour, this episode (1x05) has a lot of feelings: Simon feels guilty, the Queen feels annoyed, Violet feels flustered, Marina feels triumphant, and by the end, Daphne is left feeling the burn. Do we? Find out.  Featuring: - A Prince Among (Otherwise Toxic) Men -Insomnia - Two Hangover Cures - An Audience with the Queen - Misunderstandenings - A Burning Declaration Here are the books and other media we talk about in this episode: - Bridgerton, the TV...