Bridgerton cast's historic roles – from EastEnders, The Crown and Waterloo Road

Bridgerton season one took the world by storm when it launched on Boxing Day in 2020 – and it immediately skyrocketed Netflix’s viewing figures.

After much anticipation, season two is finally here and while fans will be able to see a brand new love story blossom as they follow Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) on his hunt to find the one.

While fan-favourite Regé-Jean Page will not be returning for the second series, the majority of the season one cast will make a defiant return.

As some faces return for series two – and a handful of new ones – fans might think they recognise quite a few of the cast from elsewhere… and they’d be right.

From the likes of EastEnders to Waterloo Road, many of the famous stars have had experience on some famous UK TV shows.

As season two of Bridgerton rolls around, Daily Star has looked at the key cast and their previous roles, and for some people, viewers would be shocked to realise where they recognise some of the favourites.

Jonathan Bailey

Bridgerton viewers will see Jonathan Bailey back on their screens as the leading role for the series – and prior to his stint on series one, he’s had a rather impressive career.

The Netflix success has definitely taken Jonathan’s career to new heights, but it’s not his first big hitter, with his name on multiple acting credits.

Some viewers might recognise him from the likes of Broadchurch, St Trinians and many others, but a younger audience might recognise him from Leonardo in 2011-2012.

The children’s TV series followed a young Leonardo da Vinci (played by Bailey), with 26 episodes to its name.

Jonathan Bailey has already teased his excitement for the upcoming series of Bridgerton, and he’s certainly excited to take centre stage for the new episodes.

Adjoa Andoh

Adjoa Andoh is another star who has an impressive series of acting credits, from Doctor Who to Brotherhood and Adulthood.

She famously appeared on BBC’s Doctor Who as Francine Jones for a handful of episodes, and many devoted fans will certainly recognise her.

The 59-year-old actress also appeared in Casualty for a time and also appeared in The Witcher.

Her new role is certainly a big one with Adjoa playing Lady Danbury in Bridgerton and is the lady who everyone is desperate impress in the Netflix show.

Lady Danbury is an essential aspect of the Bridgerton series and fans will be happy to see her return for season 2.

Ruth Gemmell

Ruth Gemmell is likely to be in the series right through to the end as the actress plays the mother of the Bridgerton siblings.

Lady Bridgerton is a vital part of the series and appears in most episodes, but aside from her constant stint as the leading lady in the show, fans may recognise her from elsewhere.

One place the UK audience might recognise Ruth is from Albert Square after a brief stint on EastEnders as Debra Dean from January 5 to July 27.

She played Whitney Dean’s birth mother, but she didn’t stay around on the soap for too long.

Elsewhere, Ruth also appeared in the Tracy Beaker franchise as Tracy’s absent mother Carly Beaker, appearing in Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me and even appeared in My Mum Tracy Beaker in 2021.

Claudia Jessie

Claudia Jessie plays Eloise Bridgerton in the popular period drama and, although she hasn’t hit the point where she has the sole focus of the series just yet, it will be coming.

The Bridgerton book series follows each members of the Bridgerton family and their hunt to find love – so Eloise’s time is coming, but even still, fans adore her.

As viewers were getting engulfed in the popular show, some fans began to spot that they recognised Eloise’s character, but couldn’t quite put their finger on it.

Eventually fans realised that Eloise appeared on Series 4 of Line of Duty as DC Jodie Taylor.

Claudia has also appeared in movie called Their Finest and TV shows House of Anubis and Vanity Fair.

Nicola Coughlan

Nicola Coughlan was one of the most recognised actresses on Bridgerton when the show first shot to fame.

She’s been in various big hitters in recent years, including TV show Harlots and perhaps most famously, Derry Girls.

Derry Girls was one of Nicola’s key moments when it came to a huge change in her life, with the star landing the role five years ago and telling Metro that prior to that she was in debt with student loans.

She has since had an incredibly impressive career, with the star working on Derry Girls alongside Bridgerton until last year when she wrapped the Irish show.

Nicola, despite not being a member of the Bridgerton family, has certainly landed a key role in the series after it was revealed that she is the mystery writer Lady Whistledown – but will she stay in charge of the paper or will more twists keep coming?

Rupert Young

Rupert Young will play Jack in the new series of Bridgerton – a character who isn’t even in the books.

Shonda Rhimes, who has produces the series, famously loves a mysterious twist, so it’s no surprise that fans will be shocked by a character who hasn’t appeared in the book so far.

He’s said to have a mysterious connection to the Bridgerton family… but where do fans know him from?

In 2020, Rupert appeared in the remake of The Secret Garden, but some might remember him from children’s TV show Merlin which aired from 2008-2012.

He played Sir Leon in the BBC Drama series and was a recurring character from series two, episode two.

Calam Lynch

Calam Lynch is a newbie on the Bridgerton set this year and will play Theo Sharpe, a hardworking printer’s assistant.

However, fans haven’t seen too much more into what Calam’s role may entail other than his entrance.

But, they certainly will recognise him, and so will another member of the cast, as Calam also appeared on Derry Girls as John Paul O’Reilly alongside co-star Nicola.

He also appeared in movie Dunkirk in 2017.

Phoebe Dynevor

Phoebe Dynevor sent shockwaves through all Bridgerton viewers with her portrayal of Daphne Bridgerton in series one.

With sex scenes, scandals and romance, fans were mesmerised by her character, and while fans recognised her, one thing that truly shocked viewers to their core was her mum.

Viewers swiftly found out that Phoebe is the daughter of Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Webster on Coronation Street and has recently done a stint on Dancing On Ice.

While the shock of her relation certainly had people talking, her previous TV roles also gathered some attention too.

Phoebe, alongside her on-screen beau, had a stint on BBC’s Waterloo Road in 2009 where she appeared as Siobhan Mailey.

Aside from this she has also appeared on The Colour Room, Younger and Snatch.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk