How The Bridgerton Cast Has Changed In Their First Major Role Vs. On The Show Vs. In Real Life

Netflix's hit show Bridgerton has gained a legion of fans around the world, elevating its status into a cult show.
When you think about it, what's not to love? Another hit show from powerhouse producer Shonda Rhymes, Bridgerton has her signature brand of drama and humor. And beautiful actors. And sex. So much sex. Combined with the setting of old, aristocratic England, the show might as well be the next Grey's Anatomy!
While Bridgerton has only reached a successful season 2, its character roster has become so huge it's hard to keep track of who is who. Or why a character you have seen on screen looks so familiar.
In case a character makes you feel deja vu, that is because you might have seen one of their work. Or even have met them in real life. See for yourself what the main cast of Bridgerton looks like in the debut vs in real life.

#1 Regé-Jean Page - Simon Basset

Source: Warner Bros

Regé-Jean Page's first major role in 2010

Source: Netflix

Regé-Jean Page in real life

Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Regé famously presented a spectacular edition of Saturday Night Live in 2021 after starring in Bridgerton Season 1. In terms of prospective ventures, he will appear with Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Ryan Gosling, Jessica Henwick, Alfre Woodard, Billy Bob Thornton, and others in the Russo brothers' Netflix feature The Gray Man.

#2 Phoebe Dynevor - Daphne Bridgerton

Source: Netflix

Phoebe Dynevor's first role in 2009

Source: BBC / Via youtu.be

Phoebe Dynevor in real life:

Source: Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images

After Bridgerton Season 2, Phoebe has a slew of projects in the works. She will appear in two TV programs, Exciting Times and Call My Agent, as well as many films, including Bank of Dave, I Heart Murder, and The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne. She also made her feature film debut in The Colour Room in 2021, alongside Matthew Goode.

#3 Jonathan Bailey - Anthony Bridgerton

Source: Netflix

Jonathan Bailey's first role in 1997:

Source: ITV

Jonathan Bailey in real life:

Source: Jeff Spicer / Getty Images

Jonathan had his first television appearance when he was nine years old, in an episode of Bramwell. He went on to star in several TV episodes and films, including Alice Through the Looking Glass, Leonardo, W1A, Broadchurch, and others.
Before Bridgerton, Jonathan appeared in Phoebe Waller's Crashing Bridge and Michaela Coel's Chewing Gum. For his role in Company, he received an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical in 2019.
In addition to his role in Bridgerton, Jonathan has featured as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race: UK Versus the World and on The One Show. He is now appearing in a West End production of Cock alongside Taron Egerton.

#4 Nicola Coughlan - Penelope Featherington

Source: Netflix

Nicola Coughlan's first role in 2004:

Source: De Facto Films / Via youtu.be

Nicola Coughlan in real life:

Source: David M. Benett / Getty Images

Nicola's debut role was in the 2004 short film The Phantom Cnut. She subsequently appeared in an episode of Doctors before obtaining a lead role as Hannah Dalton in Harlots in 2018. That same year, Nicola debuted as Clare in the entertaining Derry Girls.
After Bridgerton Season 2, Nicola's most prominent undertaking will be the last season of Derry Girls. Nicola uploaded a romantic picture and two rainbow pins in December 2021 with the caption, "Goodbye Derry Girls, it's been quite a trip."

#5 Luke Thompson - Benedict Bridgerton

Source: Netflix

Luke Thompson's first role in 2014:

Source: Shakespeare's Globe / Via youtu.be

Luke Thompson in real life:

Source: John Phillips / WireImage / Getty Images

Luke's first film part was as Lysander in a recording of Shakespeare's Globe: A Midsummer Night's Dream (2013). He went on to perform in many stage productions and plays until obtaining his first feature film role as an officer in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk in 2017. From 2014 to 2016, Luke also played Simon in the TV Show In the Club.
Along with his work in Bridgerton, Luke participated in Misbehaviour, a film starring Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jessie Buckley, Greg Kinnear, and others.

#6 Simone Ashley - Kathani "Kate" Sharma

Source: Netflix

Simone Ashley's first role in 2016:

Source: CBBC

Simone Ashley in real life:

Source: John Phillips / WireImage / Getty Images

Simone made her television debut as Zuhra in two episodes of Wolfblood. She went on to star in many films and television programs, including Detective Pikachu, Broadchurch, Doctors, and others. She made her debut as Olivia Hanan in Netflix's Sex Education in 2019.

#7 Claudia Jessie - Eloise Bridgerton

Source: Nickelodeon / Via youtu.be

Claudia Jessie's first role in 2013:

Source: Netflix

Claudia Jessie in real life:

Source: Studio 10 / Via youtu.be

Claudia's first significant acting job, after appearing in a short film, was in two episodes of the renowned children's series House of Anubis. She went on to appear in Doctors, WPC 56, Line of Duty, Vanity Fair, Porters, and other shows before earning a lead role on Bridgerton in 2020.
Claudia may be seen in the forthcoming miniseries Bali 2002 and the short film Night and Day in addition to Bridgerton.

#8 Adjoa Andoh - Lady Danbury

Source: Netflix

Adjoa Andoh's first role in 1990:

Source: BBC One

Adjoa Andoh in real life:

Source: David M. Benett / Getty Images

Adjoa's first acting job was as Karen in EastEnders for ten episodes in 1990. She then went on to star in several TV programs, including Casualty, Doctor Who, M.I. High, and others. Invictus, in which she played Brenda Mazibuko opposite Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, was her most notable role. Aside from cinema and television, Adjoa is a skilled stage actor, having performed in prominent parts with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and others.
Adjoa recently appears as Nenneke in The Witcher, in addition to her main role in Bridgerton.

#9 Polly Walker - Portia Featherington

Source: Netflix

Polly Walker's first role in 1990:

Source: ITV / Via youtu.be

Polly Walker in real life:

Source: John Phillips / WireImage / Getty Images

Polly's first significant part, after a few TV appearances, was in the 1990 TV movie Lorna Doone, opposite Sean Bean and Clive Owen. She subsequently went on to star in several films and television episodes, including Patriot Games, Emma, and others, before getting her main part as Atia of the Julii in Rome. Her contributions to Rome garnered her a Golden Globe nomination. Polly has also starred in Mr. Selfridge, Warehouse 13, The Mentalist, Caprica, and several other shows.
Polly featured as Lady Lunete in Netflix's Cursed in 2020, in addition to her role as Portia in Bridgerton.

#10 Luke Newton - Colin Bridgerton

Source: Netflix

Luke Newton's first major role in 2011:

Source: ITV / PBS

Luke Newton in real life:

Source: Lia Toby / Getty Images

Okay, so Luke made his television debut in 2010 as Luke Attwood in the drama series The Cut, but footage from the program is hard to come by. So, following The Cut, one of his first TV appearances came in 2011, on an episode of Mr. Selfridge. Luke then appeared as a guest appearance on Doctors before appearing in the Disney Channel series The Lodge from 2016 to 2017.

#11 Ruth Gemmell - Violet Bridgerton

Source: Netflix

Ruth Gemmell's first major role in 1997:

Source: Channel 4 Films

Ruth Gemmell in real life:

Source: Harry Livingstone / Getty Images

Ruth's first significant part occurred in 1997, when she acted in Fever Pitch alongside Colin Firth, after starring in a few TV series. She went on to act in a slew of TV programs before starring in Bridgerton, including Waking the Dead, EastEnders, Utopia, Penny Dreadful, and Home Fires. She's also a skilled theater performer, having starred in numerous plays with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Macbeth and King Lear.
Ruth appears in the British children's TV program My Mum Tracy Beaker outside of Bridgerton in 2021.

#12 Charithra Chandran - Edwina Sharma

Source: Netflix

Charithra Chandran's first role in 2021:

Source: IMDb TV

Charithra Chandran in real life:

Source: Lia Toby / Getty Images

Charithra debuted on television about a year or so before Bridgerton Season 2. She played Sabina in Alex Rider Season 2 since her father is writing a book on Damian Cray. Before landing the lead part as Edwina on Bridgerton, she acted in a short film.
You may now watch Charithra in an upcoming web series called Pillow Talk. But I have a feeling she'll be appearing in more stuff after her performance in Bridgerton.

#13 Golda Rosheuvel - Queen Charlotte

Source: Netflix

Golda Rosheuvel's first role in 2001:

Source: Sterling Pictures

Golda Rosheuvel in real life:

Source: John Phillips / WireImage / Getty Images

Golda's first film appearance was in the 2001 film Lava. She later appeared in episodes of various TV programs, including Casualty, Torchwood, Luther, Coronation Street, EastEnders, and others. In 2016, she co-starred in Lady Macbeth with Florence Pugh. Golda is also an experienced theatrical performer, having appeared in Porgy and Bess, Macbeth, Jesus Christ Superstar, and other plays.
Aside from Bridgerton, Golda featured in Dune as Shadout Mapes with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, and others. She was also seen in an episode of Death in Paradise.

#14 Bessie Carter - Prudence Featherington

Source: Netflix

Bessie Carter's first role in 2007:

Source: BBC One

Bessie Carter in real life:

Source: Lia Toby / Getty Images

Bessie's debut part was in Cranford in 2007, starring Judi Dench, Tom Hiddleston, Michelle Dockery, Jodie Whittaker, and her parents, Imelda Staunton, best known for her role as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films, and Jim Carter, best known as Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey. Before appearing in Bridgerton, Bessie starred in Les Misérables, Howards End, and Beecham House.

#15 Rupert Young - Jack Featherington

Source: Netflix

Rupert Young's first role in 2004:

Source: ITV

Rupert Young in real life:

Source: John Phillips / WireImage / Getty Images

Rupert played Larry Murphy in the West End production of Dear Evan Hansen in 2019. In 2020, he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his role in the musical.

#16 Harriet Cains - Philipa Featherington

Source: Netflix

Harriet Cains' first major role in 2013:

Source: BBC Three / BBC America

Harriet Cains in real life:

Source: Lia Toby / Getty Images

Harriet's first significant featured role was on the zombie series In the Flesh, where she portrayed Jem Walker, after appearing in programs such as Doctors and Hollyoaks. She also acted in a few short films and was a guest star on a few more TV series.

#17 Kathryn Drysdale - Genevieve Delacroix

Source: Netflix

Kathryn Drysdale's first role in 2001:

Source: BBC Two / Via youtu.be

Kathryn Drysdale in real life:

Source: David M. Benett / WireImage / Getty Images

Kathryn's first significant part, after appearing in a few TV programs, was as Louise in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps in 2001. From 2001 until 2009, she appeared in 70 episodes of the series. Kathryn has also appeared in Vanity Fair, Doctor Who, Tripping Over, Bottersnikes & Gumbles, The Windsors, and many other TV episodes and films.
In terms of forthcoming projects, Kathryn will feature in Bets & Bester, Relationships, When They Come For Me, and The Mud Hut, among others.

#18 Shelley Conn - Mary Sheffield Sharma

Source: Netflix

Shelley Conn's first major role in 2005:

Source: Warner Bros

Shelley Conn in real life:

Source: Dave J Hogan / Getty Images

Shelley won her first significant part as Princess Pondicherry in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory after starring in episodes of TV programs such as Merseybeat, Casualty, Down to Earth, and others. She later appeared in TV programs such as The Innocence Project, Party animals, Mistresses, Terra Nova, Liar, The Rook, The Irregulars, and others.

#19 Ruby Barker - Marina Thompson

Source: Netflix

Ruby Barker's first role in 2017:

Source: CBBC

Ruby Barker in real life:

Source: David M. Benett / Getty Images

Ruby's first job in 2017 was as Daisie on Wolfblood's fifth season. She then starred in a couple of episodes of Doctors in 2017 and 2019, as well as the 2020 film How to Stop a Recurring Dream.
Ruby may be seen in the forthcoming film Baghead, which is now in post-production, aside from her one episode of Bridgerton during Season 2.

#20 Martins Imhangbe - Will Mondrich

Source: Netflix

Martins Imhangbe in real life:

Source: John Phillips / WireImage / Getty Images

Martins Imhangbe's first major role in 2019:

Source: National Theatre Live / Via youtu.be

Martins' first major part occurred in 2019 in a filmed version of National Theatre's The Tragedy of King Richard the Second when he played Bagot/Duke of Aumerle. Martins is an outstanding stage actor who has appeared in Lionboy, Death of a Salesman, Richard II, Othello, and other shows.

#21 Will Tilston - Gregory Bridgerton

Source: Netflix

Will Tilston's first role in 2017:

Source: Fox Searchlight Pictures / Via youtu.be

Will Tilston in real life:

Source: David M. Benett / WireImage / Getty Images

Will's first leading role before Bridgerton was in Goodbye Christopher Robin in 2017. Along with Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Kelly Macdonald, and others, he played a young Christopher Robin.

#22 Florence Hunt - Hyacinth Bridgerton

Source: Netflix

Florence Hunt's first role in 2020:

Source: Netflix

Florence Hunt in real life:

Source: Rachel Hunt / Getty Images

Florence had her first on-screen debut as a young Nimue in Netflix's short-lived series Cursed, just before starring in Bridgerton.

#23 Julie Andrews - Lady Whistledown

Source: Netflix

Julie Andrews' first major role in 1957:

Source: CBS / Everett Collection

Julie Andrews in real life:

Source: Isabel Infantes / PA Images / Getty Images

Okay, I realize we never SEE Julie Andrews on Bridgerton, but how can you overlook her crucial contribution to this show?! I mean, I can't see anyone else as Lady Whistledown. In addition to Bridgerton, she has provided voice work for the previous Despicable Me films, with a new one scheduled for release in 2022. In 2017, she also co-created and starred in the Netflix children's series Julie's Greenroom.
Julie had her first significant performance as Cinderella in Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella in 1956, after appearing in an episode of Ford Star Jubilee. Her two subsequent roles were Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. In 1965, she won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Mary Poppins.
She has appeared in other Broadway shows, including My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Victor/Victoria. Her cinematic career has also been notable, with appearances in The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.