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Fan who read Bridgerton years before series tried to predict what characters would look like

Home> Entertainment> TV & Film

Published 11:08 21 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Fan who read Bridgerton years before series tried to predict what characters would look like

The Netflix period drama is based off a series of books written by author Julia Quinn

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna Benson

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It may have landed on Netflix over a week ago, but yes, we're still banging on about the latest instalment of Bridgerton.

But can you blame us?!

I mean, it felt as though we were forced to wait years to discover whether or not Colin and Penelope would make it down the aisle following their carriage ride romp, or whether Eloise would expose the show's biggest kept secret (the identity of trouble-causing author Lady Whistledown, of course).

And we couldn't wait to find out whether mum-of-eight Violet would give in to her feelings for Lady Danbury's hunky bro Marcus, or whether series 'mean girl' Cressida Cowper would finally get what's coming to her.

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And boy, did producers give us the head-spinning, plot-twist littered, unfathomably dramatic series conclusion we were hoping for?!

If you haven't yet had the chance to rattle your way through the much-loved Netflix period drama, worry not. We won't give too much away here.

Amongst the hype of the latest instalment, many viewers often forget that the Bridgerton series is entirely based off an array of best-selling books, written by author Julia Quinn.

Others, however, have followed the regency-era novels for years, and were subsequently surprised by some of the changes that Shondaland producers instilled into the television adaptation.

One reader of the original Bridgerton books had imagined the cast very differently. (Netflix)
One reader of the original Bridgerton books had imagined the cast very differently. (Netflix)

In particular, one avid reader - who read the entire book series years before the star-studded on-screen version was released - was surprised by a number of the casting options, having visualised the characters very differently indeed.

Taking to Quora today, the book-lover admitted that she'd initially imagined series 1 lead, Daphne Bridgerton, as The Devil Wears Prada beauty Anne Hathaway - as opposed to actress Phoebe Dyvenor - and her love interest Simon Bassett (aka, 'the Duke'), as Poldark frontman Aidan Turner, instead of heartthrob Regé-Jean Page.

The reader had pictured Anne Hathaway as series 1 lead Daphne Bridgerton. (Netflix)
The reader had pictured Anne Hathaway as series 1 lead Daphne Bridgerton. (Netflix)

And when it comes to the rest of the Bridgerton brood, she admitted she initially visualised head of the family, Anthony Bridgerton as The Witcher hunk Henry Cavill, instead of Jonathan Bailey, and his beau Kate as Pride and Prejudice favourite Kiera Knightley, as opposed to Simone Ashley.

She'd also pictured fan-favourite Benedict Bridgerton as Brokeback Mountain actor Jake Gyllenhaal instead of Luke Thompson, and 'Mr Worldwide' Colin Bridgerton as The Hunger Games star Sam Claflin, instead of Luke Newton.

When it comes Penelope Featherington, the reader claims she envisaged her as Doctor Who redhead Karen Gillan, instead of Nicola Coughlan.

Karen Gillan was imagined to portray Penelope Featherington. (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
Karen Gillan was imagined to portray Penelope Featherington. (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

Even more surprisingly, the book fan claims she'd always imagined Game of Thrones legend Diana Rigg as the magnificent Lady Agatha Danbury, as opposed to Adjoa Andoh, and firm favourite Violet Bridgerton as Julie Andrews (who also happens to narrate the voice of Lady Whistledown in the TV series), as opposed to Ruth Gemmell.

What do you reckon?

Featured Image Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images / Netflix

Topics: Celebrity, Bridgerton, TV And Film, Netflix, Books

Rhianna Benson
Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

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@rhiannaBjourno

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