Key Insights

• Bridgerton’s popularity: The series has become a significant part of Netflix’s original content, blending historical romance with fantasy.
• Future potential: With planned spinoffs like Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, the franchise may expand beyond its original scope.
• Controversial relationships: Many couples in Bridgerton face issues that would likely lead to their downfall in real life.
• Cultural context: The show reflects societal norms of the Regency era, impacting character dynamics and relationships.

Bridgerton is one of the most popular romance shows of the century, but not every love story in its universe would survive the real world. Granted, Bridgerton reinvented the historical romance genre by fusing Regency era tropes with fantasy escapism, meaning the suspension of disbelief is half the appeal. Furthermore, the alternate history drama has unsurprisingly become one of the biggest Netflix original series of all time, bolstered by its prestige as a title in the Shondaland cinematic universe.

Unlike the overwhelming majority of series in the streaming age that are confined to a handful of installments, Bridgerton will have eight full seasons once Netflix finishes adapting Julia Quinn’s bestselling novel series. Nevertheless, it has the potential to go even further, as Charlotte’s (Golda Rosheuvel) spinoff— Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story— has amassed arguably just as fervid of a fandom as the flagship series. As such, there is ample room for Netflix to continue producing original content in the form of prequels, sequels, and spinoffs to extend its Regency romance’s legacy.

Whether the franchise continues growing for another decade or ends after the eighth book has been adapted for screen, the vast array of Bridgerton couples will surely remain hot topics of debate. Just as each season focuses on a different main character falling in love, each entry in the Bridgerton franchise introduces a bevy of secondary and tertiary pairings that, unfortunately, fail to make viewers swoon. Be it a palpable lack of chemistry, a problematic subplot, or an outdated social norm, there are plenty of underwhelming relationships in Bridgerton that would crumble without their impenetrable plot armor.

Sir Henry Granville & Lucy Granville

Benedict (Luke Thompson) may be a fan-favorite male lead, but long before he found true love and settled down in Bridgerton season 4, the second son was struggling to simply find his place in the world. Consequently, throughout the drama’s first season, Benedict often ended up mingling with the demimonde on the fringes of society, constantly surrounding himself with free spirits, libertines, and artists with decidedly non-monogamous marriages.

Chief among the sundry crew was Sir Henry Granville (Julian Ovenden), a talented painter who introduces Benedict to his outrageous “parties”— and, in turn, to his wife, Lucy (Sandra Teles). Yet, Benedict doesn’t realize Lucy and Henry are married until the pair show up arm-in-arm at a high society function. When Benedict asks about his dalliance with Lucy— and Henry’s blatant affair with another man— the artist explains that their relationship is “happier” than most, offering them the protection of marriage but the freedom to freely explore their love (and lust) with other members of the Ton.

If the Granvilles were merely polyamorous, it wouldn’t immediately be a death sentence to their relationship. Sadly, it’s clear that their match is nothing more than a Lavender marriage since Henry wouldn’t be able to maintain his prestigious art career if he lived out and proud as a gay man in Regency Era London. Thankfully, in the modern world, the two could be friends rather than legal spouses and enjoy hosting wild parties without fear of social retribution.

Cressida Cowper & The Earl of Penwood

Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) is far from the most beloved character in Bridgerton‘s ensemble cast. In season 1, she’s the protagonist’s direct competitor; in season 2, she’s vicious but largely unremarkable; and in season 3, she’s a full-blown villain who almost ruins the Bridgerton family by exposing Penelope’s (Nicola Coughlan) secret life as Lady Whistledown. Regardless, she maintains a modicum of sympathy because of her father’s callousness and her mother’s complicity.

As such, when she was shipped off to Wales at the end of season 3, many fans thought it was the last we’d see of the antagonist. Of course, a character as pivotal as Cressida couldn’t disappear overnight. She returned in season 4 as Cressida Gun, revealing she married the Earl of Penwood and secured a way back into society. She was still, for all intents and purposes, a pariah but she was back in all her ostentatious glory.

Within the show’s canon, Cressida’s marriage already seems fairly loveless but in the real world— whether 2026 or the actual Regency Era— it’s unlikely that the former debutante would find such a pleasant albeit absent husband. Being shunned by the Queen would make her prospects dismal in the 19th century while she would never have needed to marry at all in modern age to gain her independence. Further, a titled man with such a prominent estate wouldn’t realistically marry London’s biggest outcast.

Daphne Brigerton & Simon Basset

The romance between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) was irrefutably what put Bridgerton on the map in 2020. With two gorgeous leads, a fake dating plot and a few orchestral covers of the decade’s top hits, Bridgerton went from a niche page-to-screen adaptation to a global phenomenon in mere weeks.

While Daphne and Simon’s story in Bridgerton was vital to the show’s success however their relationship has caused numerous controversies in past six years. Considering the setting Daphne had no knowledge of sex or fertility. Conversely Simon— a so-called reformed rake— intimately understood “pinnacles” and intricacies of their marital duties. Unfortunately Simon vowed to never produce an heir—a decision he kept secret from his wife by claiming he was physically incapable of having children.

When young woman realized he had lied to her she forced him to have sex with aim of impregnating herself. Though Daphne was almost comically naive she still sexually assaulted her husband and faced practically no repercussions. Even without non-consensual sex scene though their relationship clearly relied on lust rather than strong foundation trust.

In real life Simon’s secret and Daphne’s rape would individually be enough to end marriage but their shotgun wedding was harbinger doom from start. Nowadays disgruntled brothers don’t challenge their sister’s boyfriend to duel meaning Simon and Daphne’s relationship would probably be over before it even began.

Prudence Featherington & Harry Dankworth

The Featheringtons initially felt like fodder for Bridgerton‘s Lady Whistledown mystery but Penelope’s sisters gradually became characters in their own right. Prudence (Bessie Carter) was undoubtedly most grating Featherington as she was ceaselessly cruel to Penelope and seemingly rude for fun at times. As result when Bridgerton‘s season 3 began by revealing Prudence was married it certainly came out left field.

The storyline felt all more confounding when her husband— Harry Dankworth (James Phoon)— was introduced. Despite her apathy revulsion Harry seemed to be utterly enamored with Prudence complimenting her attempting initiate public displays affection whenever possible. By end season Prudence had come around to her new station life but it still never felt like love. If anything Prudence married Harry just place her bid next Lady Featherington lack dramatic inheritance battles modern day would render their marriage pointless.

Marina Thompson & Sir Phillip Crane

Out of all torrid affairs shameless social climbing glamorous seasons on marriage mart there was one relationship Bridgerton that had expiration date soon as it started: marriage between Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker) Sir Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton). Marina’s secret pregnancy was one most dramatic subplots in Bridgerton‘s season one culminating devastating reveal George her first love died war.

A man honor George’s brother sought out Marina protect her reputation by offering respectable loveless marriage. Season two followed up on their arrangement revealing Marina Phillip led separate lives both allegedly content. Although their marriage will undergo major change in Bridgerton‘s season five beyond they currently have worst relationship show far. Of course with four seasons left adapt original source material,Bridgerton still has plenty time introduce more toxic boring poorly matched couples.