{"id":52681,"date":"2023-11-09T21:55:25","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T21:55:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/09\/bridgertons-biggest-offscreen-controversies-and-scandals\/"},"modified":"2023-11-09T21:55:25","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T21:55:25","slug":"bridgertons-biggest-offscreen-controversies-and-scandals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/09\/bridgertons-biggest-offscreen-controversies-and-scandals\/","title":{"rendered":"Bridgerton’s Biggest Offscreen Controversies and Scandals"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Bridgerton<\/em><\/a> was the talk of the ton when it premiered on Netflix \u2014 but not always for a good reason.<\/p>\n

The historical drama, which is based on the book series written by Julia Quinn<\/strong><\/a>, follows the members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. Bridgerton<\/em> debuted in December 2020 with a focus on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor<\/strong><\/a>) and Simon Basset (Reg\u00e9-Jean Page<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n

Season 2 offered Daphne\u2019s brother Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey<\/strong><\/a>) a chance to find love with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley<\/strong><\/a>). Fans have since been on the edge of their seats waiting for Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton<\/strong><\/a>) to take center stage with his complicated connection with Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n

After the show\u2019s overnight success, the Bridgerton<\/em> universe grew with a spinoff titled Queen Charlotte<\/em><\/a>. The series, which started streaming in 2023, took fans on a journey into the past to explore the origins of King George III\u2019s (Corey Mylchreest<\/strong>) marriage to Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Which ‘Bridgerton’ Couples Ended Up Together in the Books?<\/a>
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\n\t\t\tFinding love on the page and on screen! As soon as Netflix debuted Bridgerton in 2020, fans became invested in the stories still yet to be told. Based on Julia Quinn\u2018s novels of the same name, the series began with the love story of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Reg\u00e9-Jean Page). Dynevor previously [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Off screen, however, Bridgerton also made headlines for shocking actor exits, book to show changes<\/a> and more.<\/p>\n

Scroll down for details on the drama behind the hit Netflix series:<\/p>\n

Rege-Jean Page\u2019s Surprising Departure<\/h3>\n
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\"Bridgerton<\/div>
Liam Daniel\/Netflix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Viewers quickly fell in love with Page and his character, Simon Basset a.k.a the Duke of Hastings, when season 1 of the Netflix drama premiered in December 2020. Simon found his happily ever after with Daphne Bridgerton and their son, Augie.<\/p>\n

While fans were looking forward to seeing Simon and Daphne in future seasons, Netflix later announced that Page would not be reprising his role<\/a>. The decision was surprising since all the characters made appearances in Quinn\u2019s books even if they were no longer the focus of the story. Dynevor\u2019s involvement on season 2 also made viewers question why Page<\/a> opted out.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a one-season arc. It\u2019s going to have a beginning, middle, end \u2014 give us a year,\u201d Page said in an April 2021 interview with Variety<\/em>. \u201c[I thought], \u2018That\u2019s interesting,\u2019 because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit, and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Bridgerton’s Steamiest Sex Scenes Throughout the Seasons<\/a>
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\n\t\t\tMaking an impression. While some Bridgerton fans fell in love with the Netflix dramas\u2019s chaste courtship traditions, many viewers just couldn\u2019t stop talking about those steamy sex scenes \u2014 including the cast. \u201cI love [Daphne\u2019s] coming-of-age story and her sexual awakening. \u2026 My first-ever scene was in episode six, where Simon [Reg\u00e9-Jean Page] is going [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Controversial Sex Scene<\/h3>\n
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\"Bridgerton<\/div>
Liam Daniel\/Netflix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Simon and Daphne\u2019s love story ended in a good place but that doesn\u2019t mean the journey<\/a> was all smooth sailing. The fictional couple left a memorable impression with their many sex scenes. However, Daphne wasn\u2019t exactly aware of how babies are made and she later found out that Simon lied to her about not being able to have kids.<\/p>\n

She initiated consensual sex with Simon but then got on top so her husband could use the pull-out method to avoid possibly impregnating her. The scene, which was already a controversial part of Quinn\u2019s novel, made viewers question why it was brought to life on screen.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a show, we\u2019re very clear about this being a time when a woman was told that her sole existence was good only for marriage and childbearing, with no value outside of her role as a wife and mother,\u201d creator Chris Van Dusen<\/strong> told Esquire in 2021. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what Daphne says in the pilot. When it comes to the topic of sex and the actual practice of making those children or being a wife, she\u2019s kept in total darkness. Her own mother, we see, doesn\u2019t even tell her the truth about the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going Out of Order<\/h3>\n
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\"Bridgerton<\/div>
Courtesy of Netflix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the show is based on a book series, fans were in for a surprise when executive producer Shonda Rhimes<\/strong> hinted that there would be a shake up with the order.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s 8 Bridgerton siblings so there are eight books. We are definitely planning on following each one of their romantic stories,\u201d she shared with Entertainment Tonight<\/em> in March 2022. \u201cWe are not necessarily going in order. But we are going to be seeing each of the siblings and their story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benedict, who is the second eldest Bridgerton brother, was subsequently passed over as the season 3 lead<\/a>. Instead, Colin and Penelope\u2019s love story was moved further up.<\/p>\n

Showrunner Jess Brownell<\/strong> clarified why Benedict\u2019s story was put on hold, telling Variety<\/em> in May 2022, \u201cWell, we already differ from the books a little bit because we\u2019re an ensemble show. The books really focus on one on one romantic pair at a time and maybe the siblings have a little cameo here and there but they don\u2019t have full stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Removing Daphne From the Narrative<\/h3>\n
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\"Bridgerton<\/div>
Liam Daniel\/Netflix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After returning for season 2, Dynevor dropped a bombshell in January 2023, telling Screen Rant<\/em>, \u201cSadly not in season 3. Potentially in the future. But season 3, I\u2019m just excited to watch as a viewer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dynevor did not give a reason why Daphne wasn\u2019t part of the next chapter<\/a> and neither did Bridgerton\u2019s creative team.<\/p>\n

Ruby Barker Claims Netflix and Shonda Rhimes Didn\u2019t Support Her Amid Mental Health Issues<\/h3>\n
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\"Bridgerton<\/div>
Liam Daniel\/Netflix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barker initially portrayed Marina Thompson on seasons 1 and 2 of Bridgerton<\/em>. She later opened up about how a struggle with her mental health affected her future<\/a> on the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to be honest with everybody, I have been struggling,\u201d she said in a since-deleted Instagram video in May 2022. \u201cSo, I\u2019m in the hospital at the minute, I\u2019m gonna get discharged soon and hopefully get to continue with my life and I\u2019m gonna take a little bit of a break from myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barker thanked Rhimes and Netflix \u201cfor giving me an opportunity, for saving me,\u201d at the time. In October 2023, Barker walked back her supportive comments while discussing how she suffered two psychotic breaks.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cNot a single person from Netflix, not a single person from Shondaland since I have had two psychotic breaks from that show have even contacted me or even emailed me to ask if I\u2019m OK or asked me if I would benefit from any sort of aftercare or support,\u201d the actress claimed the \u201cThe Loaf\u201d podcast. \u201cNobody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barker claimed her first psychotic break \u2014 which occurred in 2019 \u2014 was \u201ccovered up\u201d and \u201ckept on the down-low\u201d ahead of the show\u2019s debut on Netflix. Her second health scare took place in 2022.<\/p>\n

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