Bridgerton's 10 Best Characters, Ranked

Over the course of three seasons, Bridgerton has introduced some truly interesting and colorful characters, yet there are some that certainly stand out more than others. Bridgerton first premiered on Netflix in 2020 and has since released three seasons. The show originally began as a series of eight romance books by Julia Quinn. Both the novels and the show are set in Regency Era London and center on the Bridgerton family, whose eight siblings must all try to find their true loves. So far, the show has introduced the love stories of Daphne, Anthony, and Colin.

One notable feature of Bridgerton is its massive and diverse cast. Despite being set in a real historical period, Bridgerton has never been afraid to include BIPOC actors or play up the more diverse aspects of certain characters’ stories. In many ways, this is what makes Bridgerton so special. The characters are not just fictional figures, but feel like genuine people who are unique, and sometimes, flawed. However, it has to be said that some Bridgerton characters are better than others. Bridgerton’s best characters are those who light up the screen with their talent and their riveting story arcs.

10 Colin Bridgerton

The Third-Eldest Bridgerton Sibling

One character who has gotten consistently interesting plotlines over the seasons is Colin Bridgerton. Colin is the third-eldest Bridgerton child, and is best known for his sensitivity and desire to travel the world. In the first season, Colin was defined by his friendship with Penelope Featherington and his love affair with Marina Thompson. Bridgerton season 2 saw Colin grow as a result of his travels. Most importantly though, Bridgerton season 3 put Colin’s relationship with Penelope on full display, as the pair finally realized their feelings for each other.

Colin stands out among other Bridgerton characters because he is seemingly always involved in some sort of drama. Whether it is the scandal with Marina or uncovering Jack Featherington’s schemes, Colin typically has his nose in something that he probably shouldn’t. However, his kind heart makes him undeniably likable, regardless of his actions. Compared to his other siblings, Colin is not the most interesting, but he definitely ranks well among the greater Bridgerton cast.

9 Daphne Bridgerton

The Fourth Bridgerton Sibling

A Bridgerton character who will always be near and dear to audiences’ hearts is Daphne. The fourth Bridgerton child and the protagonist of season 1, Daphne is characterized as the perfect Regency lady. She is the diamond of the season and successfully marries Simon, the Duke of Hastings. Notably, Daphne’s role in Bridgerton diminished significantly following her season, yet her performance still stands out. Daphne is the Bridgerton who got so many viewers sucked in.

What makes Daphne so lovable is her realism. At first, Daphne may come across as a stereotypical woman of the period who is only concerned about her looks and her marriage prospects. However, Daphne is much deeper than that. She is truly committed to finding her true love, even if he isn’t what she expected. Furthermore, her love for her family is admirable. Daphne’s only pitfall is that she isn’t nearly as quirky as her siblings, which makes her feel rather bland at times.

8 Francesca Bridgerton

The Sixth Bridgerton Sibling

Although she never would have made the list before Bridgerton season 3, Francesca has proven her worth as a great Bridgerton character. In the first two seasons of the period drama, Francesca was rarely around, having stayed with a distant Bridgerton aunt. However, in season 3, Francesca finally comes of age to begin courting, and her romantic life quickly heats up. She forms a bond with John Stirling, and eventually marries him. At the end of Bridgerton season 3, she sets off to Scotland with Eloise, John, and John’s enticing sister, Michaela.

Once again, Francesca’s greatness is embedded in her being different from how she appears. Many may think that Francesca is a mere carbon copy of Daphne, but season 3 proves that she has more going on under the surface. Francesca is quiet, introverted, and logical. She isn’t looking for love, but for an escape. This makes her much more relatable, and furthermore, makes her impending romantic story all the more exciting. Audiences will get to see Francesca’s walls break down even more than they already have in future Bridgerton seasons.

7 Benedict Bridgerton

The Second-Eldest Bridgerton Sibling

A fan-favorite character who has always deserved more time in the sun is Benedict. Throughout Bridgerton’s three seasons, Benedict has played the role of the comic relief. While his other siblings are making huge life decisions, Benedict goes off on side quests that are usually far from the straightlaced expectations of the court. He paints, he takes on lovers, and he causes mischief. In many ways, Benedict brings a much-needed levity to the show. However, Bridgerton season 4 will finally see Benedict facing his own important choices.

Benedict is a fantastic character because he is pure fun. Bridgerton’s drama is incredibly important, but it can feel overwhelming if there’s too much. That’s where Benedict thrives. After several intense scenes of love declarations and schemes, Benedict comes in with a lively and comedic scene that reminds audiences of why they like this show so much. Of course, Benedict’s more thoughtful moments are also amazing, and as more of them come up, he will likely only get better.

6 Kate Sharma

Anthony’s Love Interest

A truly stand-out character in Bridgerton so far is Kate Sharma. Kate travels from India in season 2 to help her younger sister find a husband. Though Kate isn’t too interested in her own love life, she quickly becomes entangled with the equally stubborn Anthony Bridgerton. Kate comes to realize that the expectations of court should not hold her back from pursuing what (or who) she wants. Ultimately, Kate and Anthony are able to be together, and their romance continues into Bridgerton season 3.

Kate speaks to many viewers because of her strong personality. Where other Bridgerton characters are eager to find love, Kate doesn’t even believe herself to be eligible. She does everything for her family, and almost nothing for herself. In many ways, this makes her relatable to a lot of audiences, regardless of the difference in time period. On top of that, Kate is opinionated and witty, and this makes her a joy to watch, especially when she goes up against Anthony in Bridgerton season 2.

5 Anthony Bridgerton

The Eldest Bridgerton Sibling

One of the most engaging Bridgerton siblings is Anthony. Introduced as the head of the family in season 1, Anthony goes through a number of significant changes over the years. He starts out as the high-strung rake of the Bridgerton family. Then, in season 2, his resolve to be single forever crumbles as he finds the love of his life in Kate. Finally, in Bridgerton season 3, audiences get to see Anthony happy. His sillier side gets to come out, and this makes him even more lovable.

The best part of Anthony is his growth. In season 1, Anthony was a frustrating character, but he was also dynamic. One day he could be admonishing Daphne for her romantic decisions, and the next he would be sneaking off to have an affair with an opera singer. After meeting Kate, Anthony only became more interesting as audiences learned about his troubled past and his fears of vulnerability. Now, Anthony’s character has finally grown into himself, and it truly feels like a full circle moment.

4 Eloise Bridgerton

The Fifth Bridgerton Sibling

The Bridgerton sibling who receives the most love from viewers is likely Eloise. The second-eldest daughter and the fifth-eldest child, Eloise is something of the black sheep of her family. As Daphne prepares to marry, Eloise dedicates her time to reading and learning about what little feminism existed during the Regency Era. Her contrarian views only continue into season 2 as she sneaks into the poorer parts of the city. However, Eloise’s story takes a very interesting turn in season 3, which makes her all the more inviting.

Overall, Eloise shines bright among her siblings because, in some ways, she is the voice of reason. Regency London is full of outdated rules, and Eloise can see this in ways that other characters can’t. She acts as a sort of stand-in for the audience, pointing out flaws and injustices. Yet, Eloise is still her own character. She makes plenty of bad decisions, and is just as worthy of love as her siblings. Eloise has already done a lot of growing, but her story may be one of the most satisfying of them all.

3 Lady Danbury

The Doyenne Of The Ton

One of the most beloved characters in Bridgerton is Lady Danbury. This sharp-tongued and powerful lady acts as the doyenne of the ton, meaning she works as a sort of ambassador between the people and the queen. Throughout Bridgerton, Danbury hosts balls and offers advice, which makes her a pivotal resource. Yet, her story only deepens in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story when audiences discover how Danbury got her name and how she became so close to Queen Charlotte.

Lady Danbury doesn’t really have much in the way of her own plotlines, yet she manages to still be a fan-favorite. This is because she is consistently sassy, smart, and well-dressed. Arguably, Danbury is a fixture of Bridgerton. She is a wise sage, providing assistance when needed. Her contributions are even more important when viewers learn more about her in Queen Charlotte. In many ways, her affair with Violet Bridgerton’s father is one of the show’s juiciest plotlines of all time.

2 Penelope Featherington

Eloise’s Best Friend & Colin’s Love Interest

It may seem strange that a non-Bridgerton character is one of the show’s best, but Penelope Featherington deserves the praise. In the early days of Bridgerton, Penelope is introduced as Eloise’s best friend. She loves reading and harbors a massive crush on Colin. However, the end of Bridgerton season 1 reveals Pen’s biggest secret: she is Lady Whistledown. With this single piece of knowledge, Penelope becomes one of the most interesting and unexpected characters in the entire show.

Penelope’s greatest strength is that she sheds light on Bridgerton as a whole. It is easy to get caught up in the interpersonal drama between Bridgerton’s characters, but Pen’s role as Lady Whistledown allows her to call out the ton’s bullies and bring attention to important issues. Of course, the Lady Whistledown secret also makes for one of the most intense conflicts in Bridgerton so far. Seeing Penelope come to terms with her love for writing and her love for Colin is truly inspiring.

1 Queen Charlotte

The Real-Life Queen Of England

The best character in Bridgerton has to be Queen Charlotte. From the start, Charlotte proves to audiences that she is not like other monarchs. Though she rules with an iron fist, she is never bleak or evil. She is a fair ruler that simply adds a bit of flair to everything she does. Like Lady Danbury, Charlotte’s story truly comes to life though when she stars in Queen Charlotte. By watching the Bridgerton spinoff, audiences get to really fall in love with Charlotte and her husband George.

Charlotte is the best because she is unforgettable. From her unique outfits to her intense performances, Charlotte steals the spotlight as soon as she enters a room. It is impossible not to respect her, even when she is making decisions that aren’t the best. On top of that, Charlotte’s relationship with George is one of the most touching and emotional of the entire show. Without Queen Charlotte, Bridgerton would not be the same.

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