It is a truth universally acknowledged that a TV viewer in this world of misfortune, but be in want of a laugh.
So how fortunate it is, that Bridgerton has returned to deliver us a much-needed bit of escapism - and a Lady Whistledown who’s just as deliciously witty as we left her.
To say Netflix’s raunchy Regency romp is back with a bang, may give the wrong impression considering its previous eyebrow-raising bedroom scenes.
But from the opening moments of its long-awaited second season, the sumptuous drama proves it’s lost none of its sparkle.
The set-up is the same: It’s the beginning of ‘The Season’ in The ‘Ton and after Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) found her Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page) last year, it’s now the turn of two younger siblings to make themselves a match.
So will the brilliantly-wry Eloise begrudgingly follow in her sister’s footsteps to win the coveted title of The Queen’s “Diamond”, the most eligible debutante of the season? Not if she has her way, as she delivers one of many cutting one-liners: “I’m trussed up like a prized calf for auction”.
The main action however centres on Daphne’s brother Anthony, played by Jonathan Bailey, who’s taken on the mantle of the show’s hunk du jour from last year’s dishy Duke.
Just minutes into the first episode, it’s clear this romantic hero perfectly fulfils our most beloved of period drama tropes - the cumongenly Mr Darcy type. He doesn’t believe in love, thinks the whole thing is, quite, frankly utterly ridiculous, has high expectations and ..... will clearly fall head over heels with a remarkable one-of-a-kind woman who teaches him the error of his ways.
The twist Netflix adds however, is which will woman it will be - as our hero is quickly thrust into a romcom-style love triangle with two very different half sisters, both with a scandalous past.
Add in Nicola Coughlan’s sparkling performance as society gossip Lady Whistledown, the catty back-and-forth of Lady Danbury and Queen Charlotte and the dry one-liners from long-suffering Eloise, and Bridgerton - the streamer’s most successful show to date - has gone and done it again.
For its an indulgent, riveting, addictive period drama, with a glimmer of Dynasty-style backstabbing and a frosting of Jane Austen-style wit, making Bridgerton itself the “Diamond” of the (TV) season.
There’s only one thing it lacks....more of the dishy Duke.
