Bridgerton introduces cast of upper-class and diverse characters taking part in Regency London's 1813's social season, but how old are they meant to be? Age is certainly an interesting thing to consider judging the marrying rituals of high society during the era, which included a period of summer months where girls of the marrying age "came out" to the public in order to find a husband.
Since the age at which girls debuted often varied based on their parents' determination and men faced far less pressure to marry young, calculating the ages of Bridgerton's characters could be rather difficult under most circumstances. Thankfully, the series' source material can help glean some answers, even to this more mysterious topic.
Bridgerton is adapted from Julia Quinn's novel The Duke and I (the first of eight volumes covering the Bridgerton siblings and their matches) and the author has helpfully provided a timeline for many of her characters. While there have been some slight modifications made for the show, using Quinn's books, traditions of debutante society, and real-world history, there's enough information to cast some light on the key players' ages.
Presented in heartbreaking fashion during one of the season's few flashback sequences, Simon Basset's birth takes place in 1784 according to the books. Assuming that date holds true for the series, that would make the charming Duke of Hastings 29 during the 1813 social season.
In The Duke and I, Daphne (born in 1792) is 21 years old, having made her societal debut in 1812 before fatefully meeting Simon a year later. The show tweaks this to dramatize the events further, presenting Daphne's first season as a resounding success, impressing the queen and earning the affections of many suitors. Since historically in this time period men often married later than women, the eight-year age difference between Daphne and Simon would have been considered a small one.
As Bridgerton matriarch, the kind Violet constantly aids her children as they pursue happiness, fulfillment, and stability in high society. Fortunately, she has years of experience to draw from - 47 years, in fact, as her on-page counterpart was born in 1766.
The eldest Bridgerton siblings, Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, like his drinking buddy Simon, is 29. With pressure mounting to marry and carry on his family's name, Anthony's own union is explored in Quinn's sequel, The Viscount Who Loved Me.
As the second eldest Bridgerton, Benedict may have less weight on his shoulders to find a wife than his big brother. Born in 1786 in the books, he would be 27 during the events of Bridgerton's first season.
Colin is the third Bridgerton sibling, born in 1791 (between Benedict and Daphne). Only 22 during the summer of 1813, Colin would be considered particularly young to marry, a perception reinforced by his family's reaction to his ill-fated engagement to Mariana.
Born after her sister Daphne in 1796, Eloise would be 17 at the start of the series. At that age, it was not uncommon to come out to the public, much to Eloise's chagrin. Though sitting out the summer of 1813, it looks like Eloise will reluctantly debut soon.
Born the same year as her confidant and friend, Eloise, the youngest Featherington made came out in 1813. Given her age, Penelope Featherington may have time to woo Colin, her unrequited crush, in future social (and Bridgerton) seasons.
Unlike the other main characters, Marina is more-or-less created for the show, although a seemingly unrelated character from book five, To Sir Phillip With Love, shares her name. That Marina (who is Sir Phillip's late wife) was born in 1794, making her 19 in 1813 - a then-reasonable age for a young woman to first enter debutante society.
Based on the historical figure and wife of King George III, Queen Charlotte would have been 69 in 1813. Considering actor Golda Rosheuvel is only 49, it is possible that the show intentionally aged her down a bit.
Though Bridgerton has yet to be renewed for another season, given the show's popularity, it would be unsurprising if fans are able to watch as their favorite "tons" continue to mature and find love in the coming years. Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix.
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