Stage stars to look out for in Bridgerton

With the news that it's apparently set to run for eight series, we think it's about time you got to know some of the incredible stage talent bringing Julia Quinn's series of books Bridgerton to life. And we've now updated for season two!

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Kathryn Drysdale

In Bridgerton she plays the "French" seamstress Genevieve Delacroix, but Drysdale has a whole host of stage credits: including the National's Home, I'm Darling, Jamie Lloyd's The Ruling Class and Josie Rourke's The Recruiting Officer.

Adjoa Andoh

Andoh plays the all-round MVP Lady Danbury, responsible for raising the dashing Duke of Hastings and generally causing a stir wherever she goes. Andoh has some incredible stage credits to her name, taking on the titular role in Shakespeare's Globe's Richard II, as part of the UK's first-ever company of women of colour in a Shakespeare play on a major UK stage.

Jonathan Bailey

The musical vet has appeared in the likes of Company (taking on the gender-switched super-speedy singer Jamie) and The Last Five Years, where he played, well, another Jamie. The fan fave is currently on stage at the Ambassadors in Cock – which you can find out more about here. In Bridgerton he plays Anthony Bridgerton, the family's eldest son – who is the focus for season two!

Luke Thompson

Thompson plays the second Bridgerton brother Benedict (because his name starts with a B, get it?) and has had an outrageous number of great theatre roles. A long-time Robert Icke collaborator, he's appeared in Oresteia and Hamlet at the Almeida and in the West End, while also playing Edgar opposite Ian McKellen's King Lear. Funnily enough, Jonathan Bailey took on that role when it was in Chichester. Small world huh?

Nicola Coughlan

Though naturally a brilliant TV presence (with an iconic performance in Derry Girls), Coughlan has been on stage in a few pieces, including the Donmar's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Jess and Joe Forever at the Orange Tree and in Edinburgh. She's the wonderful Penelope Featherington here.

Julian Ovenden

Taking on the role of progressive painter Henry Granville, Ovenden has appeared across stage and screen with credits including Merry We Roll Along and the starry production of All About Eve with Gillian Anderson and Lily James. He was a WOSAward nominee for South Pacific, which is headed for London and touring later this year.

Golda Rosheuvel

The Queen Charlotte herself Golda Rosheuvel is played with heartbreaking steel and constant mirth by Golda Rosheuvel. Quite often a scene-stealer, Rosheuvel has appeared in the likes of the Old Vic's A Christmas Carol and Othello at the Liverpool Everyman.

Sabrina Bartlett

Bartlett is probably best known for her plethora of TV appearances, but she did star opposite Kathryn Hunter in the all-female revival of Cyrano de Bergerac at Southwark Playhouse and was recently in While The Sun Shines at the Orange Tree. She now portrays Anthony's forbidden lover Siena Rosso.

Regé-Jean Page

A rising star across stage and screen, Page takes on the role of the dashing Duke of Hastings in the first series of the show. He has had some sturdy theatre appearances, including Michael Longhurst's revival of The History Boys as well as The Merchant of Venice alongside Jonathan Pryce.

Oli Higginson

Did you spot The Last Five Years star in the hit series? He played something of a pivotal role in the near-unmasking of the infamous Lady Whistledown. He's back for the new season as well, which is very exciting.

Rupert Young

The actor originated the West End role of Larry in Dear Evan Hansen and has now been cast as Jack for two episodes in season 2. Beyond that, we don't know who Jack is – so lots of question marks there!

Polly Walker

She's the put-upon and scheming matriarch Portia Featherington in Bridgerton, but across her career Walker has taken on roles with the RSC, the Old Vic, the Almeida, the National and more.

Luke Newton

The third Bridgerton son Colin (it starts with a C) Newton is a musical theatre pro – having appeared in The Book of Mormon in the West End. We're sure we'll see him back on the boards at some point, when he eventually stops being adored by the nation (and Penelope Featherington).

Martins Imhangbe

Boxer and the Duke of Hastings' best friend, Will Mondrich is played by Martins Imhangbe, who had a star turn in the award-winning revival of Death of a Salesman at the Young Vic.

Ruth Gemmell

The Bridgerton mother, helping set up worthwhile matches for her children while mourning the loss of her husband, Violet is a stoic hero in the series. Gemmell has had a range of roles on stage, including The Whale in Bath and Still Alice in Leeds.

Shelley Conn

Playing matriarch Lady Mary Sharma in the second season is Shelley Conn, who has had a sublime career thus far, with work alongside the RSC and the Royal Court. She had even been cast in The Doctor, heading for the West End, when the pandemic struck.

Calam Lynch

Joining the show for season two is Lynch, who plays Bridgerton daughter and new debutante Eloise's potential fling . He was part of Samuel Adamson's hit play Wife, which ran before the pandemic at the Kiln Theatre.