Bridgerton Star Teases Anthony Upstaging Simon's Spoon-Licking
Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey teases Anthony upstaging Simon's infamous spoon-licking in season 2. Based on Julia Quinn's popular book series, Bridgerton premiered on Netflix on Christmas Day and was an instant hit, becoming the streamer's biggest original series launch ever. Often described as Gossip Girl meets Pride & Prejudice, the show is set in Regency Era-London during the early 1800s. It follows the aristocratic Bridgerton family's lives during the competitive debutante season, all narrated by gossip writer Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews).
Season 1, which consists of eight episodes, is based around the first book of Quinn's series, The Duke and I. It primarily follows Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest Bridgerton daughter, as she tries to find love, eventually falling for the Duke of Hastings, Simon (Regé-Jean Page). The period drama immediately captured audiences with its steamy romances and scandals, as well as its stunning costumes and ensemble cast. But among all the steamy moments throughout the season, perhaps the most talked about scene came in episode 3, when Daphne watches Simon seductively lick a spoon as the camera zooms in. It caused quite a stir, even leading to an Instagram account created for the Duke's spoon. Considering the show's already large fan base, and the fact there are several books in Quinn's series, it did not come as much of a surprise when Bridgerton was renewed for season 2. However, while season 1 focused mostly on Daphne and Simon's romance, season 2 has been confirmed to largely center around the love life of Anthony.
In an interview with EW, Bailey reacted to the Duke's internet-breaking spoon-licking scene, teasing how Anthony will upstage the memorable moment in season 2. Referencing how each season will likely focus on a different character, Bailey jokes each Bridgerton sibling will have their own utensil moment. Read Bailey's full comment below:
I hope I get the fork and not the knife. [Laughs] I feel sorry for whoever's doing season 3 who gets the knife. I mean, who knows? This is what's brilliant about Bridgerton and what's been such a surprise. There's just so many characters, every single character is so detailed, and when it comes to family and that sort of playfulness, you're welcoming the fans into the family, [and] everyone's going to grow together. Hopefully, [creator Chris Van Dusen] will be able to go on to do a season per sibling. We start with a spoon, how are we going to up the ante? What's it going to be like when we get to poor Gregory?
The Bridgerton season 1 finale hinted at Anthony's storyline in the new season, with the viscount telling Daphne and Simon he was setting out to find his own love. This is the primary focus of The Viscount Who Loved Me, the second novel in Quinn's series, which season 2 will likely pull from. The book shows Anthony setting his sights on Edwina Sheffield before finding himself drawn to Edwina's older sister Kate, who is described in the novels as "the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom."
While the charming and charismatic Simon was certainly the break-out character of Bridgerton, it will be interesting to see the show focus primarily on Anthony finding love in season 2. While Simon certainly is a compelling character, his tumultuous relationship with Daphne in Bridgerton season 1 became exhausting at times, and it might be nice for the audience to have a break from them and get to know Anthony better. However, only time will tell if Anthony does get his own "spoon" moment when season 2 rolls around.
Source: EW