The Cast of "Bridgerton" Has Officially Captured Our Hearts

Netflix's new series Bridgerton is a romance between Simon Basset, a.k.a the Duke of Hastings (Rége-Jean Page) and Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), but it's also a love affair between the cast and the audience—because how can't we fall for this charming set? Out December 25, the series's larger-than-life ensemble cast brings Julia Quinn's beloved series—which follows the eight Bridgerton siblings' courtships—to life.

Presiding over the series is the highly recognizable voice of Julie Andrews, who narrates Lady Whistledown's salacious gossip columns. The other cast members are not household names to the same degree of Andrews—but that's about to change.

Like The Spanish Princess on Starz, Bridgerton is notable among period pieces for featuring a diverse cast. Marina Thompson, Lady Danbury, and Simon were written as white characters in the books, but are portrayed by people of color in the Shonda Rhimes-produced show.

In addition to knowing the actors' names (and their other film credits), you might also crave a Bridgerton family tree, like the one on Quinn's website, while watching. After all, there are eight Bridgerton kids. Eight! To help you keep track, here's a handy trick: the Bridgertons are named in alphabetical order—that means Anthony is the eldest, and Hyacinth is the youngest. Without further ado, here's what to know about the cast.

The legend herself dropped in to provide the voice of Lady Whistledown, Bridgerton's version of Gossip Girl. The casting decision was a sage one: Known for her work in The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and The Princess Diaries, to name a select few, Andrews has a reputation for her blend of elegance and mischief. Nothing describes Lady Whistledown better. Read Andrews's highly entertaining memoir when you're done binge-watching the Netflix romance.

Follow Her on Instagram: @julieandrews

If Adjoa Andoh looks familiar, then that means you watch a lot of British TV (like Doctor Who or Silent Witness), or were lucky enough to catch one of her stage performances. We wish we could have seen her star as a craven, insecure king in Richard II at London's Globe Theater in 2019. It was the world's first-ever all-women of color cast for a Shakespeare play, per The Guardian.

Admit it—this is the slide you've been waiting for. Regé-Jean Page is the Platonic definition of a leading man, and has us wondering where he's been all of our lives. Bridgerton is 30-year-old Page's first starring role, though he was also in Waterloo Road, For the People, Fresh Meat, and the 2020 movie Sylvie's Love. "This is gonna be special," the Zimbabwe-born British actor wrote on the first day of filming Bridgerton in 2019. He can say that again!

Follow Him on Instagram: @regejean

Even if you knew Phoebe Dynevor as Clare from Younger, she'll forever be Daphne from Bridgerton after finishing the Netflix series. As the eldest daughter of the prominent Bridgerton family, Daphne feels pressure to marry well. The British actress has been acting since age 14. Her first role was in the soap Waterloo Road. She was also in the Charles Dickens-inspired period piece Dickensian.

Follow Her on Instagram: @phoebedynevor

The second book in Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series focuses on Anthony's quest to finally settle down. As this magazine cover shows, Jonathan Bailey is definitely leading man material. If Bridgerton is renewed for another season—and why wouldn't it be?—we're excited for Anthony's romantic future. Catch Bailey in the shows W1A, Broadchurch and Crashing, created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Follow Him on Instagram: @jbayleaf

Who needs love? Eloise Bridgerton wants only one thing: To learn the identity of Lady Whistledown. Prior to playing the second oldest Bridgerton sister in the Netflix show, British actress Claudie Jessie starred in Vanity Fair (another period piece) and in the BBC drama WPC56.

Colin Benedict, the third Bridgerton brother, gets swept up into the courtship season. 23-year-old Luke Newton previously starred in the show The Lodge, now on Disney+.

Follow Him on Instagram: @lukenewtonuk

Benedict Bridgerton, the second oldest child of the Bridgerton family, is on a quest for self-knowledge. Luke Thompson of Dunkirk and Misbehaviour carries him through every twist and turn.

The matriarch of the Bridgerton clan is Lady Violet, a widow with a serene outlook. Ruth Gemmell likely looks familiar because of her extensive credits across movies and TV. Her most recent shows are Penny Dreadful, Home Fires, and the thriller Deep State.

All hail Queen Charlotte, the show's gossip-hungry monarch. She's based on a real English queen thought to be of African descent. Golda Rosheuvel was in the long-running British show Silent Witness (along with Adjoa Andoh) and the movie Lady Macbeth.

Freddy Stroma is cast as the dreamboat prince in Bridgerton, and as the dreamboat of the show Unreal—which his wife, Johanna Brady, also starred in. The English actor is also famous for playing Cormac McLaggen in the Harry Potter series and his time in Pitch Perfect.

A guest at the Featherington household, Marina Thompson has a secret. Bridgerton is Ruby Barker's first major role since CBBC's fantasy drama, Wolfblood.

Follow Her on Instagram: @rubybarker

Nicola Coughlan captured our hearts as Clare in Derry Girls, an exuberant Northern Ireland-set comedy streaming on Netflix. Coughlan—who is from Galway, Ireland—also appears in Hulu's brilliant feminist show Harlots, which follows sex workers finding economic independence in 19th century London. It's safe to say she's one of our favorite rising stars.

Follow Her on Instagram: @nicolacoughlan

Kathryn Drysdale plays the dressmaker Genevieve Delacroix in Bridgerton, but viewers of the royals-centric comedy The Windsors will know her as Meghan Markle.She was also in the 2004 Vanity Fair movie (Claudia Jessie, a.k.a Eloise, was in the 2018 miniseries remake).

Follow Her on Instagram: @katkindrysdale

Bessie Carter coined a term on her Instagram page that we'll certainly be stealing: "Big Featherington Energy." Carter is on a period piece kick. She's in Beecham House, set in 19th century New Delhi, and Howard's End, an adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel.

Follow Her on Instagram: @missbessb

Polly Walker commands the screen as Lady Featherington, the mother of three daughters who is in constant Mrs. Darcy, marrying-off mode. Her presence isn't surprising, considering her extensive history in TV and film. A few notable roles? A Golden Globe-nominated stint in Rome; Pennyworth; and the movie Enchanted April.

Penelope Featherington may get the most screen time of the Featherington sisters, but Philippa and Prudence are an essential part of the family's characterization. Harriet Cains, who plays Philippa, is in Marcella, a Netflix show with a far darker tone than Bridgerton.

By the end of Bridgerton, you're sure to be rooting for Sabrina Bartlett's character, Siena Rosso, an opera singer who wants more than what Anthony Bridgerton is offering. Game of Thrones fans will recognize Bartlett from her brief but memorable appearance as a member of House Frey—who is revealed to be Arya Stark in disguise.

Follow Her on Instagram: @sabrinabartlett

Will Mondrich is the only person who can get through to Simon Bassett—before Daphne, that is. Aside from a stage play in 2019 (also about Richard II, like Adjoa Andoh), Bridgerton is Martins Imhangbe's first role. It's certainly not going to be the captivating actor's last.