The Real Reason Bridgerton Season 2 Doesn't Have As Many Love Scenes
The Netflix hit series "Bridgerton" is back for Season 2, and this time the focus is on Viscount Anthony Bridgerton's (Jonathan Bailey) search for a bride. Season 1 of the show, based on the series of novels by Julia Quinn, follows members of Regency-era London's high society, mainly eldest Bridgerton daughter Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), as she tries to make a love match or run the risk of becoming a spinster. Dissecting the annual mating ritual is the infamous gossipmonger Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews).
Season 1 left viewers feeling hot and bothered thanks to the steamy love scenes between Daphne and her suitor turned husband, the Duke of Hastings, played by the swoon-worthy Regé-Jean Page. One doesn't usually associate a Jane Austen-esque period piece with explicit sexual content, but the story is just as much about Daphne's sexual awakening as it is about her quest to find a husband.
Although Season 1 features Anthony engaging in some risqué sexcapades of his own, Season 2 finds him focusing less on lust and more on winning the hand of this season's diamond, Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran). Standing in the way of Anthony securing his bride is Edwina's sister Kate (Simone Ashley), who gets a rise out of Anthony in more ways than one. There is a noticeable lack of love scenes during "Bridgerton's" sophomore season, and some fans may be wondering why the series is more chaste this time around.
Bridgerton creator says season 2 is a 'slow burn'
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, "Bridgerton" creator Chris Van Dusen explained why Season 2 doesn't include as many love scenes as Season 1. "It's definitely a slow burn this season, which is not what happened with Daphne and Simon. Season 2, we're telling this enemies-to-lovers story."
Taking a page from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," Kate overhears Anthony making some unflattering remarks which lead to the twosome going head-to-head when it comes to Anthony's pursuit of Edwina. Kate does her best to set her younger sister's sights on another suitor, aggravating Anthony. However, underneath their apparent mutual lack of disdain for one another, there's an undeniable attraction. "You feel this frustration building between these two characters episode to episode, scene to scene. I wanted to carry that and draw that out across the season because I knew the climax, pun absolutely intended, was going to be satisfying," Van Dusen said.
Watching Kate and Anthony fight their burgeoning physical and emotional desires is erotic, thanks to the simmering sexual chemistry between the two leads. It's worth the wait when they finally succumb to their carnal urges in Season 2's penultimate episode.