News Analysis India

Tag: Bridgerton

  • ‘It’s a story with heart, humour’: Regé-Jean Page

    Express News Service

    What made you want to be part of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves?I was interested, of course, because, first of all, it’s Dungeons & Dragons, but apart from this incredible fantasy world, it’s a story with so much heart and humour. I just loved the script.

    What can you tell us about your character?I play a powerful and righteous knight named Xenk Yendar. He’s your typical sword-swinging, cape-wearing, dragon-slaying kind of good guy, but as the film progresses, he finds out that he may not be as perfect and all-knowing as he thinks.

    What kind of physical training did you undergo for the fight scenes?There was quite a lot of learning on how to swing swords and axes. I worked with our incredible stunt team, which was intense but fun. Michelle (Rodriguez) and I had the majority of the training because of the type of characters we play, and all the bad guys we get to slay. We also bonded a lot over that.

    What did you think about your costume, especially the long hair?It was a fun look. I now feel like I can rock that hair in real life. Maybe, if we do another one of these films, I’ll grow it for real. The armour was pretty heavy, and it was hot under there. It took way too long to go to the bathroom.

    Which of the many monsters that you face in the movie was your favourite?The dragons were amazing. I mean, who didn’t grow up wanting to fight a dragon? But, I also like the big deep-sea fish. What is incredible about that is that it was actually there. It wasn’t all CGI. Like so many of the creatures in the film, it was built practically. I was told that I could actually lose an arm to that fish if I didn’t get the timing of that scene dead right. Thankfully, I did. There were times during scenes with these creatures that you really feel they are real. That’s a gift for an actor.

    The movie looks spectacular. What was it like on set?It was incredible, and we shot a lot of the exterior scenes in the most beautiful locations in Northern Ireland. It really seemed like a fantasy land.

    Had you ever played Dungeons & Dragons before this role came to you?Not really, but I was aware of the game. Although, I have always been a fan of fantasy and role-playing games. I did actually play a game of Dungeons & Dragons with the rest of the cast, which was a lot of fun, but didn’t go too well for me. I thought I could just charge straight in, but turns out that wasn’t the best thing to do, and I was the first to die. But, I do love the game, particularly the community aspect to it.

    Do you think it will help the audience to enjoy the movie more if they have some prior knowledge about the game?I don’t think you need to know anything about Dungeons & Dragons at all. I’ve heard reactions from really hardcore fans, who love the movie, but I have also heard from people who have no idea about any of the creatures, like me (laughs), but they still had a great time watching the film. It’s simply a great adventure through a magical world.

    Bridgerton fans are still hoping you might return to the show. Is that a possibility?I take that as a compliment, but I don’t know if that will happen. I feel like Simon and Daphne got their happily-ever-after. But, I loved my time in Bridgerton, and am grateful for the opportunities it opened up for me.

    We have seen you play both heroes and villains. Do you prefer playing one over the other?I honestly like both. Villains are always fun because you tend to have more freedom and fewer boundaries with what you can do. But, I love playing the hero too. I’ll take everything.

    Will we be seeing more Dungeons & Dragons films?I think so. It’s such a huge and varied world with so many possibilities for storytelling. Asia Features

    What made you want to be part of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves?
    I was interested, of course, because, first of all, it’s Dungeons & Dragons, but apart from this incredible fantasy world, it’s a story with so much heart and humour. I just loved the script.

    What can you tell us about your character?
    I play a powerful and righteous knight named Xenk Yendar. He’s your typical sword-swinging, cape-wearing, dragon-slaying kind of good guy, but as the film progresses, he finds out that he may not 
    be as perfect and all-knowing as he thinks.

    What kind of physical training did you undergo for the fight scenes?
    There was quite a lot of learning on how to swing swords and axes. I worked with our incredible stunt team, which was intense but fun. Michelle (Rodriguez) and I had the majority of the training because of the type of characters we play, and all the bad guys we get to slay. We also bonded a lot over that.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    What did you think about your costume, especially the long hair?
    It was a fun look. I now feel like I can rock that hair in real life. Maybe, if we do another one of these films, I’ll grow it for real. The armour was pretty heavy, and it was hot under there. It took way too long to go to the bathroom.

    Which of the many monsters that you face in the movie was your favourite?
    The dragons were amazing. 
    I mean, who didn’t grow up wanting to fight a dragon? But, I also like the big deep-sea fish. What is incredible about that is that it was actually there. It wasn’t all CGI. Like so many of the creatures in the film, it was built practically. I was told that I could actually lose an arm to that fish if I didn’t get the timing of that scene dead right. Thankfully, I did. There were times during scenes with these creatures that you really feel they are real. That’s a gift for an actor.

    The movie looks spectacular. What was it like on set?
    It was incredible, and we shot a lot of the exterior scenes in the most beautiful locations in Northern Ireland. It really seemed like a fantasy land.

    Had you ever played Dungeons & Dragons before this role came to you?
    Not really, but I was aware of the game. Although, I have always been a fan of fantasy and role-playing games. I did actually play a game of Dungeons & Dragons with the rest of the cast, which was 
    a lot of fun, but didn’t go too well for me. I thought I could just charge straight in, but turns out that wasn’t the best thing to do, and I was the first to die. But, I do love the game, particularly the community aspect to it.

    Do you think it will help the audience to enjoy the movie more if they have some prior knowledge about the game?
    I don’t think you need to know anything about Dungeons & Dragons at all. I’ve heard reactions from really hardcore fans, who love the movie, but I have also heard from people who have no idea about any of the creatures, like me (laughs), but they still had a great time watching the film. It’s simply a great adventure through a magical world.

    Bridgerton fans are still hoping you might return to the show. Is that a possibility?
    I take that as a compliment, but I don’t know if that will happen. I feel like Simon and Daphne got their happily-ever-after. But, I loved my time in Bridgerton, and am grateful for the opportunities it 
    opened up for me.

    We have seen you play both heroes and villains. Do you prefer playing one over the other?
    I honestly like both. Villains are always fun because you tend to have more freedom and fewer boundaries with what you can do. But, I love playing the hero too. I’ll take everything.

    Will we be seeing more Dungeons & Dragons films?
    I think so. It’s such a huge and varied world with so many possibilities for storytelling. Asia Features

  • May premiere for Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte 

    By Express News Service

    We had earlier reported that a prequel spinoff series based on Bridgerton’s character, Queen Charlotte, is in the making at Netflix. The streaming platform has now revealed the release date of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. It will premiere on May 4.

    Netflix also released a teaser of the spin-off that introduces us to the early days of Queen Charlotte and her rise to power after marriage with King George. Actor India Amarteifio was reported to play the titular Queen Charlotte, and the first look images of her character have emerged online.

    India will play the younger version of Queen Charlotte, originally portrayed by Golda Rosheuvel in the Bridgerton series. The series will follow the rise of Queen Charlotte and how her marriage to King George shifted the power dynamics and brought about societal change in the world of the series.

    The cast of the upcoming spin-off also includes Corey Mylchreest, Arsema Thomas, Michelle Fairley, Sam Clemmett, Freddie Dennis, among others. Shonda Rhimes will serve as the executive producer in addition to being a writer. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will consist of six episodes. 

    We had earlier reported that a prequel spinoff series based on Bridgerton’s character, Queen Charlotte, is in the making at Netflix. The streaming platform has now revealed the release date of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. It will premiere on May 4.

    Netflix also released a teaser of the spin-off that introduces us to the early days of Queen Charlotte and her rise to power after marriage with King George. Actor India Amarteifio was reported to play the titular Queen Charlotte, and the first look images of her character have emerged online.

    India will play the younger version of Queen Charlotte, originally portrayed by Golda Rosheuvel in the Bridgerton series. The series will follow the rise of Queen Charlotte and how her marriage to King George shifted the power dynamics and brought about societal change in the world of the series.

    The cast of the upcoming spin-off also includes Corey Mylchreest, Arsema Thomas, Michelle Fairley, Sam Clemmett, Freddie Dennis, among others. Shonda Rhimes will serve as the executive producer in addition to being a writer. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will consist of six episodes. 

  • Netflix sues ‘The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical’ creators for infringement

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: The team behind an unofficial ‘Bridgerton’ musical has been sued for infringement by Netflix in a Washington, DC US District Court.

    According to Variety, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the signwriting team behind the project, initially developed the musical on social media.

    The duo went on to score the No. 1 slot on iTunes US pop charts and even won a Grammy this year in the category of best musical theatre album.

    Netflix has alleged that it made “repeated objections” against the team as they planned to mount a live stage show of the project.

    ‘The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album Live in Concert’ performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC earlier this week, selling out the venue with ticket prices that ranged up to USD 149.

    The stage show reportedly featured more than a dozen songs that involved exactly copied dialogue, character traits, expression and other elements from ‘Bridgerton’.

    The streamer alleges that ‘The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album Live in Concert’ misrepresented to audiences that it used the ‘Bridgerton’ trademark “with permission.” Netflix also objects to an allegedly planned line of merchandise and the production’s upcoming tour dates.

    “Netflix supports fan-generated content, but Barlow & Bear have taken this many steps further, seeking to create multiple revenue streams for themselves without formal permission to utilize the ‘Bridgerton’ IP,” Netflix wrote in a statement.

    As per Variety, they added, “We’ve tried hard to work with Barlow & Bear, and they have refused to cooperate. The creators, cast, writers and crew have poured their hearts and souls into ‘Bridgerton’ and we’re taking action to protect their rights.”

    Earlier, in her conversation with EW, Barlow credited the pandemic for giving them the room to build their following online. “I feel like a few years ago, Netflix probably would’ve sent us a cease-and-desist for what we’re doing, but I think in a time like this, it is so important to have a creative outlet,” she said. 

    WASHINGTON: The team behind an unofficial ‘Bridgerton’ musical has been sued for infringement by Netflix in a Washington, DC US District Court.

    According to Variety, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the signwriting team behind the project, initially developed the musical on social media.

    The duo went on to score the No. 1 slot on iTunes US pop charts and even won a Grammy this year in the category of best musical theatre album.

    Netflix has alleged that it made “repeated objections” against the team as they planned to mount a live stage show of the project.

    ‘The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album Live in Concert’ performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC earlier this week, selling out the venue with ticket prices that ranged up to USD 149.

    The stage show reportedly featured more than a dozen songs that involved exactly copied dialogue, character traits, expression and other elements from ‘Bridgerton’.

    The streamer alleges that ‘The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album Live in Concert’ misrepresented to audiences that it used the ‘Bridgerton’ trademark “with permission.” Netflix also objects to an allegedly planned line of merchandise and the production’s upcoming tour dates.

    “Netflix supports fan-generated content, but Barlow & Bear have taken this many steps further, seeking to create multiple revenue streams for themselves without formal permission to utilize the ‘Bridgerton’ IP,” Netflix wrote in a statement.

    As per Variety, they added, “We’ve tried hard to work with Barlow & Bear, and they have refused to cooperate. The creators, cast, writers and crew have poured their hearts and souls into ‘Bridgerton’ and we’re taking action to protect their rights.”

    Earlier, in her conversation with EW, Barlow credited the pandemic for giving them the room to build their following online. “I feel like a few years ago, Netflix probably would’ve sent us a cease-and-desist for what we’re doing, but I think in a time like this, it is so important to have a creative outlet,” she said. 

  • Shooting begins for Bridgerton season 3

    By Express News Service

    Season three of Netflix’s period romantic drama Bridgerton has gone on floors, the streaming platform announced.

    The new season will focus on the love story of Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). In addition to the existing cast, the show will also feature three new actors, Daniel Francis, Sam Philips and James Phoon.

    While Francis plays a charismatic who attracts matriarchs of the town, reports suggest that Philips play a Lord with unusual interest. Focusing on the lives of Penelope and Colin, Bridgerton season three will explore the couple’s lives and how Penelope tries to live a double life as Lady Whistedown, while Colin trying to get more friendlier with Penelope.

    Season three of Netflix’s period romantic drama Bridgerton has gone on floors, the streaming platform announced.

    The new season will focus on the love story of Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). In addition to the existing cast, the show will also feature three new actors, Daniel Francis, Sam Philips and James Phoon.

    While Francis plays a charismatic who attracts matriarchs of the town, reports suggest that Philips play a Lord with unusual interest. Focusing on the lives of Penelope and Colin, Bridgerton season three will explore the couple’s lives and how Penelope tries to live a double life as Lady Whistedown, while Colin trying to get more friendlier with Penelope.

  • ‘Bridgerton’ actor Ruby Barker discharged from hospital amid mental health struggles 

    By PTI

    LONDON: Ruby Barker, best known for playing Marina Thompson in the hit Netflix series “Bridgerton”, said she has been discharged from the hospital following a mental health scare.

    The 25-year-old actor last week shared a video on Instagram saying that she was “taking a little break” after she was hospitalised due to ill health. In a new video shared Monday, Barker said she was out of the hospital and spending time at a nature retreat.

    She previously said she had become “really unwell” since starring on the period romance “Bridgerton”.

    “I’ve been discharged from the hospital! Thank you so much for the support, I can’t wait for the future and I feel as if I’ve come out the other side. Thank you, everyone, have a blessed day, take care of yourselves, don’t be afraid to check in with your loved ones and we’re all in this together as they say in High School Musical. Big big love,” she captioned the post.

    The actor also expressed gratitude towards her friends, “Bridgerton” team, the medical community of the NHS, as well as the media for reaching out to her.

    “It made me feel so happy to be alive. I didn’t expect so many people will reach out to me after watching the video. It made me feel less alone. A big shout-out to the NHS for taking care of me. I’m doing ok.”

    “If I have any advice for my younger self, I would just tell myself, ‘Listen, it’s not all doom and gloom, even when you hit rock bottom’,” she said in the video clip.

    She said she has been in touch with her co-star Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton on the show), who told her to train the mind “to find the funny, the light and the positive” in life.

    Barker recently reprised her role as Marina in a guest appearance in the second season of “Bridgerton”, which premiered in late March.

  • ‘Bridgerton’ star Golda Rosheuvel honoured by LGBTQ group Human Rights campaign

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES:  ‘Bridgerton’ star Golda Rosheuvel, the openly gay actor who plays the illustrious Queen Charlotte on the show, was presented the Equality Award at this year’s Human Rights Campaign gala in New York.

    “Being authentic and true to who I am has been something that I’ve championed in my own life, so to be able to get up there tonight and speak my journey is really important,” Rosheuvel told ‘Variety’ before accepting her award.

    “That one person who’s struggling might hear it and be confident enough to step (up) in their own life.”

    She later went on to tell everyone present that “nobody should have to choose between being publicly out and being a successful actor”.

    Rosheuvel recently opened up to Marc Malkin on the ‘Just for Variety’ podcast about how a lesbian director once advised her to stay in the closet.

    A number of political speakers also took the stage to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York state Governor Kathy Hochul.

    Schumer vowed to push the US Senate to pass the Equality Act, which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to add protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

    “No LGBTQ or queer American should ever face discrimination because of who they are or who they love,” Schumer said during his speech.

    “As Senate Majority Leader, I’m going to put the bill on the floor and let’s see where everyone stands.”

    The House of Representatives passed the Equality Act in February, but the bill now faces an uphill battle in the Senate.

    Schumer will need to gain the support of 10 Republican Senators in addition to all 50 Democrats in order to avoid a filibuster in the Senate.

    Governor Hochul criticised certain pieces of legislation backed by Republicans such as Florida’s controversial “Parental Rights in Education” bill.

    “I want new leadership in Florida that’ll change people’s attitudes and make them feel full of love and not hate,” she said at the event.

    “What’s wrong with trans kids playing sports? Don’t you want them to grow up strong, healthy, competitive and take on life’s challenges? What are you afraid of? I’m asking these questions, but I’m in a position to do something about it because this is New York. New York always leads.”

    Another trailblazing celebrity who showed up to support the movement included Nicole Maines, who played Dreamer on ‘Supergirl’. She appeared during the final two seasons of The CW series where she made history portraying the first transgender superhero in a live-action comic book adaptation.

    Maines will continue to build on the legacy of Dreamer as a co-writer on the upcoming ‘Superman: Son of Kal-El’ series with DC Comics author Tom Taylor.

    “Superheroes and comic books have always been a vehicle to talk about issues that matter in ways that are relatable and accessible for everybody,” Maines told ‘Variety’.

    “We’re starting to see this class of people who are saying, ‘oh, why are you politicising superheroes?’ or ‘go woke, go broke!’ What people don’t understand is that superheroes have always been political.

    “(We’ve had) Wonder Woman fighting feminist issues, Superman fighting for just inclusion all along, Iron Man fighting during the Cold War and Captain America fighting Nazis! It’s always been woke, it’s just for the first time that fans are finding that they’re on the other side of the heat vision,” she added.

  • Priyanka Chopra praises Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ season 2 for representing Indian culture

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: While Shonda Rhimes’ ‘Bridgerton’ season 2 is sensational for many reasons, the representation of ‘desi culture’ in the show has made it even more special for all the Indian people, and now that includes global star Priyanka Chopra too.

    The former Miss World took to her Instagram Stories to send her token of love to the show for representing Indian culture through the Sharma sisters, Edwina Sharma and Kate Sharma, played by actors Charithra Chandran and Simone Ashley.

    “I have to say, it’s so wonderful to see desi representation on mainstream TV. It was such an anomaly when I started. Love the show and the Sharma sisters,” Priyanka wrote alongside a picture of Chandran and Ashley.

    Based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling series of novels, ‘Bridgerton’ is set in the lavish and competitive world of London high society during the Regency period of the early 1800s. The first season of the romantic period drama focused on the steamy courtship between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page).

    Keeping up with the tradition of Julia Quinn’s novels, season 2 of ‘Bridgerton’ tells the story of Daphne’s elder brother– Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s (Jonathan Bailey) quest for love as he sets out to find a suitable wife.

    When Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) and her younger sister Edwina (Charithra Chandran) arrive from India, Anthony starts to court the latter sister — and Kate soon discovers that his intentions for marriage are not pure. While Kate tries to stop this match, the two become unlikely companions.

    The show had many moments which Indian fans can’t miss. From the intricate embroidery on the Victorian gowns to the orchestra cover of the title track from Karan Johar’s ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ to the Haldi ceremony, ‘Bridgerton 2’ makers have tried to perfectly blend the Indian cultural representation into the British show.

    The Netflix series has already been renewed through season four, so there is plenty of period soapy obsession to come. Each season will be inspired by a different Quinn’s book in the series and will focus on each of the 8 Bridgerton children.

    The show is executive produced by Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Chris Van Dusen. Van Dusen also serves as creator and showrunner. 

  • Shonda Rhimes to produce White House set murder mystery ‘The Residence’ for Netflix

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: After the success of “Bridgerton” and “Inventing Anna”, Shonda Rhimes and her longtime Shondaland partner Betsy Beers are producing another show for Netflix, a mystery drama set inside the White House.

    Titled “The Residence”, the drama will use Kate Anderson Brower’s book “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” as a starting point to tell a new murder mystery, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

    The eight-episode drama is from showrunner and exec producer Paul William Davies, a Shondaland veteran whose credits include ABC’s “Scandal” and creating “For the People”.

    The official logline of the eight-episode series reads: 132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body. One wildly eccentric detective. One disastrous State Dinner.

    The Residence is a screwball whodunnit set in the upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs of the White House, among the eclectic staff of the world’s most famous mansion.

    The Residence will be produced in-house at Netflix via Shondaland’s overall deal as well as the multiple-year pact Davies has with the streamer. “Grey’s Anatomy” producer’s Netflix roster includes “Bridgerton”, and the Rhimes-penned prequel, “Inventing Anna” and anthology “Notes on Love”.

    “The Residence” is yet to have a premiere date. “Bridgerton”, a Regency-era romantic drama revolving around the children of a family, is among Netflix’s most successful shows and was praised for its colour-blind casting, while “Inventing Anna”, which has been dominating the streamer’s top-10 list, explores the life of Anna Sorokin, a Russian-German convicted con artist, and fraudster.

  • Bridgerton’ creator says show’s success made it challenging to follow his vision for season 2

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: “Bridgerton” creator Chris Van Dusen, who adpated the period series from Jula Quinn’s novels, says the mega success of the show on Netflix made it challenging for him to stay true to his original vision.

    The second season of the show, which fans lapped up when it debuted on the streamer in December 2020, is set to premiere on March 25.

    “I had a very clear vision for Season 1 and I was given the freedom to follow through on it,” Van Dusen told Entertainment Weekly.

    Then the show came out and started to take hold of the world. It was all so surreal.

    Staying true to my original vision (for Season 2) became much more challenging, but it made me drill down even more.

    The show was hailed for its diverse casting, beautiful costumes and story, making its stars, particularly Rege-Jean Page, popular overnight.

    Fans, however, were shocked to know that Page, who played the Duke, will not return for the follow-up season, which will focus on a different sibling’s love life.

    Van Dusen is not worried about Page’s absence.

    It was always my intention to follow a different Bridgerton’ sibling for every season, he said.

  • Netflix releases first look images of ‘Bridgerton’ season 2

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: Netflix has released eight first-look images from the second season of its breakout hit series ‘Bridgerton’. The new images feature actor Simone Ashley, known for her work in shows like ‘Sex Education’ and ‘Because the Night’.

    The first-look images were shared on Netflix’s Instagram account. The caption read, “who’s ready for Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s search for luv?????? BRIDGERTON SEASON 2 MARCH 25TH!”

    The first photo features Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma and Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma. The second image shows a glimpse of Phoebe Dyvenor as Daphne Basset and Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton.

    Another snap gives a sneak peek into the crackling chemistry between Ashley’s Kate Sharma and Bailey’s as Anthony Bridgerton.

    Season two of the hit series will tell the story of Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Bailey), the eldest Bridgerton sibling and viscount, as he sets out to find a suitable wife, reported The Hollywood Reporter. ‘Bridgerton’ focuses on the new relationship in its second season and is based on Julia Quinn’s novel ‘The Viscount Who Loved Me’, the second in Quinn’s best-selling ‘Bridgerton’ series.

    Dear readers, this author is most pleased to share with you the social season’s delightful first looks! Bridgerton season 2 graces Netflix March 25. pic.twitter.com/wIgg8xQegz
    — Netflix Philippines (@Netflix_PH) January 20, 2022
    The first season, which premiered on 25 December 2020, revolved around the romance and marriage between the eldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page).

    It also saw Anthony’s on-again-off-again relationship with opera singer Siena (played by Sabrina Bartlett) finally end. While Dynevor reprises her role, Page memorably exited after season one.

    The show is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Chris Van Dusen. Van Dusen also serves as creator and showrunner. ‘Bridgerton’ will return for its second season on March 25.