Back on Christmas day in 2020, one of Netflix’s most popular series ever created emerged for our viewing: Bridgerton. When it was first released, no one knew the power this series would hold. One month after Season 1’s release, Netflix released their numbers, and in four weeks’ time, the series became the streamer’s fifth-largest launch ever, racking up a record-breaking watch of 82 million households, or 41% of Netflix’s total subscriber base at its peak (via Deadline).
It’s not hard to see why Bridgerton was such a hit. The series, based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling novels, was unlike anything we’d ever seen across almost any streaming platform. Although the show was so loved, it’s hard for those of us who have read the books not to spot the total differences between the books and the series itself. Yes, changes are always made in book-to-screen adaptations, but what major, plot-changing differences are held between the books and Bridgerton?
Season 1
No Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte is well-loved in the Bridgerton series, but her character was created specifically for the show, as she doesn’t exist in any of Quinn’s books. In the book setting, no specific King or Queen is ever noted to readers. Oh, and Daphne’s sweet suitor, Prince Frederich? He’s non-existent in the books as well.
Simon’s Stutter Never Disappeared
In the Netflix series, Simon spends years of his childhood overcoming the stutter that made his father so disappointed in him as a future Duke. In the books, however, Simon does overcome his stutter and becomes better with speech, but it never completely disappears. When he got flustered or angry, his stutter would return, which is why he would often stay quiet, especially around those he didn’t trust. This tendency to stay quiet due to his uncertainty with himself often led others to believe he was colder than his character really was.
There Was No Boxing
Capitalizing on Simon’s newly invented social life in the Bridgerton series, Netflix decided to add boxing as one of Simon’s pastimes. Theoretically, this made sense from a historical perspective, as boxing was considered a gentlemanly sport for the time period, but it doesn’t actually happen in the books. Yes, you swooning viewers, they added the shirtless scenes for your pleasure only.
Marina Is a Bridgerton Cousin
In the Netflix series, there are a few major errors with Marina as a character. To begin with, in the series, Marina is a Featherington cousin, but in the books, Marina is a distant Bridgerton cousin. They most likely made this change to either try to set her up with Colin Bridgerton or to cast her into an already problematic family, such as the Featheringtons. Secondly, in the books, we never officially meet Marina because she is already dead once they finally mention her. In the fifth book, which focuses on Eloise’s love story with Sir Phillip, we are only made aware of who she is when Sir Phillip discusses his deceased wife, Marina. Lastly, Marina is never set up with Colin Bridgeron.
Felicity Featherington Is Nowhere to Be Found
The Featheringtons, in the Netflix series, are a family of five. We have adored Penelope, her twin sisters Prudence and Phillippa, and Lord and Lady Featherington. The only issue is: the math isn’t adding up, and neither are the characters. In the books, Lord Featherington is dead, and they have an additional sister who is not included in the screen adaptation, named Felicity. Felicity is actually best friends with Hyacinth Bridgerton, similar to Eloise and Penelope’s friendship.
The Reveal of Lady Whistledown
When the first sensational season of Bridgerton was coming to a close, Netflix dropped a bomb on us: Penelope Featherington is Lady Whistledown. Except, in the novel series, we don’t learn this information until the fourth book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Furthermore, there are never any investigations into Lady Whistledown, as the Queen doesn’t exist and Eloise herself is suspected of being the famed writer.
Season 2
Kate & Anthony’s Meeting
Although Netflix produced this adorable meet-cute, they grabbed it from thin air, as this is not how Anthony and Kate’s first meeting takes place in the books. As we know, in Bridgerton, Anthony is practically almost run over by Kate while she is out riding her horse. In the books, however, they meet at a ball, where Colin introduces them. Kate already knows of Anthony’s reputation, but Anthony has no idea who Kate is. Regardless of how they met, they ended up as an adorable couple, but we would’ve liked the library scene to be a little longer. Come on: there was prime chemistry going on there, and for once, no fighting or defiance.
Anthony’s Curse Isn’t Featured
Anthony never intended on marrying for love, but as to why is dependent upon whether you’ve watched the series or read the books. Watching Bridgerton, you are told he doesn’t want to open up to anyone. Reading the books, however, you are given a deeper answer. Anthony never wanted to marry for love because he never wanted to hurt or feel the hurt his mother did when his father passed away. He told himself he was cursed, and would never be able to live past when his father passed away, which was sadly only 38 years old. Because of that reason, he never wanted to marry someone he loved and have such a short time together, or, vice versa, have his wife hurt the way his mother did from losing Edmund.
No Love Triangle
Yes, the scandalous love triangle between Edwina, Kate, and Anthony was curated for Bridgerton‘s Season 2 only. It is true that, in the books, Anthony and Edwina did court for a short period of time, but their courtship was superficial and quickly ended once they realized they weren’t well-matched and, due to their age difference, couldn’t find much to talk about. When Edwina finds out about Kate and Anthony’s engagement after being compromised, she isn’t bothered by it and actually finds her perfect match at the end of the book. On the flip side, in the Netflix series, it is made into an absolute meltdown, with Kate and Edwina falling out over Anthony, dragging their mother along with them.
Edmund Bridgerton’s Death Scene
This saddening scene is also highly altered. While reading the books, we discover that Anthony returns from a ride to Daphne sobbing on the floor, announcing their father had died suddenly from a bee sting. Watching Bridgerton, it unfolds differently: in a flashback scene, Anthony returns with his father and watches him die from the bee sting. The plot is changed to make his death more painful for Anthony, but it was already so tough for him in the books.
No Duke of Hastings
Eloise Bridgerton Does Not Debut
Eloise is Not the First to Find Out Lady Whistledown’s Identity
By the time Bridgerton Season 3 rolls around, Eloise already knows that Penelope is Lady Whistledown. In the series, Eloise finds out in Season 2. However, in Quinn’s novels, it is not Eloise who first comes to know of Lady Whistledown’s identity. Instead, it is Colin Bridgerton. Colin follows Penelope to a church through which she communicates with her publisher. Confronting her, he finds a column written by her as Lady Whistledown. An argument ensues between the duo, which then leads to the iconic carriage scene and subsequent proposal of marriage.
Season 3
Cressida and Eloise are Not Best Friends
No Lord Debling
Penelope Does Not Reveal Her Identity
In Season 3, Penelope takes charge of her own fate when Cressida threatens to expose her identity as Lady Whistledown. Penelope herself writes to the Queen and addresses the ton at the Dankworth-Finch ball, revealing the fact that she is Lady Whistledown. She speaks of her reasons for starting the column and acknowledges the harm she has caused through her writing. In the end, the Queen grants her permission to keep writing the column, albeit more responsibly. This does not happen in the books.
In the original text, it is Colin who takes the forefront in revealing his wife’s identity. Professing his love for her at a ball hosted by Daphne and Simon, Colin reveals Penelope’s identity to the ton. The announcement is supported by the Bridgerton family, with the ton following suit with their applause. Book-Penelope also gives up her writing career after the announcement.
No Romance for Lady Violet Bridgerton
Yet another new character introduction in Bridgerton Season 3 is Lord Marcus Anderson, the brother of Lady Danbury. He is positioned as a romantic interest for Lady Violet Bridgerton, the matriarch of the Bridgerton family. In the books, Lady Bridgerton is simply a mother who is trying to find matches for her children. Although she has a story dedicated to her ‘Violet in Bloom’, it does not explore a second chance at love for Lady Bridgerton. The introduction of Lord Anderson in the series offers Lady Bridgerton’s character a dimension beyond her identity as a mother. The decision to lay the foundation of a possible romantic storyline for Lady Bridgerton has been well-received by fans who have long admired her character.
John Stirling’s Cousin is a Man
At the end of Season 3, after the wedding of Francesca and John Stirling, Francesca is introduced to Michaela Stirling, John’s cousin. Francesca visibly stumbles over her words at the introduction. In the books, the character of Michaela Stirling does not exist. Instead, John’s cousin is a man, Michael Stirling, whom Francesca goes on to marry after the death of John. The gender swap and introduction of Michaela Stirling is perhaps one of the biggest differences in the Netflix series. The decision is an attempt by showrunner Jess Brownell to bring in queer representation to the series. Brownell has expressed that she has received the blessing of Quinn to do so. However, the decision has received mixed reviews from Bridgerton fans.
Season 1
No Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte is well-loved in the Bridgerton series, but her character was created specifically for the show, as she doesn’t exist in any of Quinn’s books. In the book setting, no specific King or Queen is ever noted to readers. Oh, and Daphne’s sweet suitor, Prince Frederich? He’s non-existent in the books as well.
