Bridgerton fans eagerly awaiting the second season have been treated to a first look at the upcoming instalment of the smash hit series, which is set to drop on Netflix in March.
The streaming platform teased season two of its gossipy period drama with new stills of the cast in all their Regency-era finery on set.
Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey, and Kate Sharma, played by incoming Sex Education star Simone Ashley, feature heavily in the new pictures, as their romance is set to take centre stage this season.
Lord Anthony's sister Daphne, played by Phoebe Dynevor, will also be returning after marrying the Duke of Hastings, who won't feature after actor Rege Jean-Page quit the role.
However, some fans were quick to notice an eyebrow-raising apparent change in one of the other cast members pictured.
The snap showed best friends Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Peyton) looking distressed as they look at each other.
But as fans’ eyes looked down, they noticed Eloise’s hands resting on what appeared to be early signs of a baby bump.
Bridgerton fans were sent into a tailspin and took to Twitter to speculate whether Eloise could reveal a surprise pregnancy in the coming season.
One wrote: “Is it just me or does Eloise look pregnant? #Bridgerton,” while another echoed this, tweeting: “The way Eloise's hands are positioned in the first pic… is she pregnant?!”
A third fan was left unsure and commented: “She does have a bump, right? Or is it just the dress? I can't tell!”
Showrunner Chris Van Dusen ramped up speculation that the photo could be hiding a spoiler for the season as he shared the snap on his own Twitter feed alongside a side-eye emoji, writing: “Friends til the end #Peneloise #March25 #Bridgerton #S2.”
One social media user was left even more confused, writing: “Why did you use [the side eye emoji]?? What does that mean? CVD!!!!!!!!”
Another wrote: “What is Eloise telling Penelope here? They both look gorgeous but Pen doesn't look happy…”
Bridgerton fans will have to wait until March for the answers, after series producer Shonda Rhimes confirmed the release date for Bridgerton’s second season.
“Prepare the carriages, dear reader. #Bridgerton is back on March 25th, 2022!” Rhimes captioned the short video on Facebook.
The second season will follow Lord Anthony on his search to find a suitable wife and sets his eye on Edwina - which her sister Kate is not best pleased about.
