Bridgerton has been taking over the internet since its third season dropped, from fan-made memes to Nicola Coughlan’s witty comebacks to journalists’ fatphobic questions dominating the social media feeds. This season, the series focuses on the love story between Coughlan’s Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton.
The series is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes of Grey’s Anatomy fame, and has earned both criticism and praise for its “colour-blind casting”. But what do you know about the man behind it all – Chris Van Dusen, the creator of Bridgerton?
Chris Van Dusen worked on Grey’s Anatomy
Bridgerton showrunner Chris Van Dusen. Photo: FilmMagic
Before his groundbreaking work on Bridgerton, Van Dusen worked as an assistant for Rhimes, which eventually led to an opportunity to write for Grey’s Anatomy. He eventually worked on other shows for Rhimes’ production company Shondaland, including Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice, and was co-executive producer on Scandal. Currently, Van Dusen is the creator and executive producer of Bridgerton, and served as the showrunner for seasons one and two.
He’s married with three kids
Chris Van Dusen and his family at a Bridgerton watch party at home. Photo: @chrisvandusen/Instagram
Much like our favourite Bridgerton couples, Chris has also found his happily-ever-after. Chris is married to Bryan Van Dusen, and the couple has three adorable daughters together.
Chris and Bryan met at a West Hollywood gay bar through mutual friends in 2005. The two got married in 2017 and are now fathers to three daughters, two of them twins, per Out Magazine. Chris’ own family life reportedly influenced the wholesome and heartwarming stories about family in Bridgerton.
He wants more LGBT storylines in Bridgerton
“Incredible night with my Bridgerton fam,” Chris Van Dusen (centre) wrote on Instagram. Photo: @chrisvandusen/Instagram
While Van Dusen was the showrunner for Bridgerton season one, we saw queer representation through the character of Sir Henry Granville, played by Julian Ovenden, and his friendship with the second-oldest Bridgerton brother, Benedict. Van Dusen mentioned in an interview with Out in 2022 that he included this component of visibility in the show to portray “tolerance in an intolerant time”, and that he hopes to expand on it in the future.
Hannah Dodd (centre) and Florence Hunt (right) are making their mark as the Bridgerton sisters. Photo: Imdb
On Bridgerton season three, part two, there is a potential queer relationship between Francesca Bridgerton, played by Hannah Dodd, and Michaela Stirling (originally Michael Stirling in the novels), played by Masali Baduza. At the same time, Benedict, played by Luke Thompson, shares a tender moment with potential new love interest Paul Suarez, played by Lucas Aurelio.
Showrunner Jess Brownell revealed that the decision to include these relationships came from a place of reverence for the original novel, but she “really wanted to tell a story about a portion of the queer experience”, per Entertainment Weekly.
He’s producing a show with Bad Bunny
Chris Van Dusen with Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page. Photo: @chrisvandusen/Instagram
In 2023, Van Dusen took up a series adaptation of the bestselling young adult novel They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera. Notably, it is also a queer romance, with Latino lead characters.
Van Dusen came on board for They Both Die at the End after serving as showrunner for the first two seasons of Bridgerton. He revealed to Deadline that he chose this series adaptation because it presented the kind of project he wanted to tackle after Bridgerton.
This adaptation was highly sought after and was ultimately bagged by Netflix, with Van Dusen serving as co-writer and executive producer via his company. Bad Bunny is also executive producer.
He’s working on another book-to-series adaptation
Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page on Bridgerton season one. Photo: @chrisvandusen/Instagram
Van Dusen is working on a TV adaptation of the newly released romance novel Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy. He is taking this project on in collaboration with A24 and Pacesetter Productions. It is a coming-of-age story of self-discovery, romance and mystery.
Chris Van Dusen with the main cast of Bridgerton series two, Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey. Photo: @chrisvandusen/Instagram
The main character is Abbey Bly, who gets the chance to escape the restrictions of her “retired rock star” dad and study in London. Of course, she takes it, and chaos ensues in the form of crushes, forbidden love and an aristocratic scandal. Van Dusen will be the executive producer and showrunner for this adaptation.
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