The 8 questions the new series of Netflix’s Bridgerton MUST answer – including are Daphne and the duke still together?

THERE are now just hours to go before Netflix delivers the long-awaited second series of racy period drama Bridgerton.

The sequel to the steamy debut drops at 7am tomorrow on the global streaming service — and many of its fanatical followers will be ready to binge-watch it instantly.

At the end of series one its fans were left tantalised by a string of storylines starting and ending, as well as quite a few loose ends left dangling.

Their appetite was also whetted by several trailers providing tantalising glimpses of the new characters and their exploits.

Deputy TV Editor Felicity Cross ask the big questions posed by the teased footage and the events of series one.

Q1: Hang on, where are Daphne and the Duke?

VIEWERS fell for Rege-Jean Page’s dashing Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings and Phoebe Dynevor’s shy Daphne in series one, but they are somewhat absent in Bridgerton’s second outing.

There is no sign of Rege-Jean, while Phoebe’s character features in just a few family scenes.

Both leads shunned the red-carpet premiere for the new series at London’s Tate Modern this week.

Instead, the action will revolve around eldest Bridgerton brother Anthony, played by Jonathan Bailey, in a love triangle with two half-sisters.

Julia Quinn, who wrote the books that Netflix has adapted for the TV drama, said: “It’s a different type of love story but it’s in the same world that we all really love and I think people will love it.

“I think all the people who were sad that the Duke was not going to be back, they will get it.”

Q2: Are Daphne and the Duke still together?

SIMON’S main conflict in episode one of the first series was his vow never to marry or bear an heir because of a complex relationship with his own father.

But he overcame his fear and at the end of the series he and Daphne celebrated the birth of their son.

In series two we will see a contented Daphne cradling the baby as she spends time with her family.

The pair remain happily married throughout Julia Quinn’s eight-book series, and so far show creator Chris Van Dusen has not strayed from the original plot.

Julia said: “The characters are completely true to who they are in the book. The overall storyline is true, the main conflict is true but there’s very little that is word for word or scene for scene.

“I think that what you end up with is a book and a television show that aren’t exactly the same but complement each other very well.”

Q3: Does Anthony really tame his ways?

LAST time we saw eldest Bridgerton son Anthony, he was distraught after being rejected by Siena.

He resolved to give up on love and fulfil his duty by simply finding someone to marry.

Show creator Chris said he wanted to “fully break” Anthony so they could “put him back together”. Jonathan Bailey, the actor who plays him, said: “He represents quite an extreme side of toxic masculinity, privilege.

“We needed to find out why Anthony is the way he is, so I was thrilled to go back into his history and invite the audience to understand his actions a bit more.”

Meeting Sharma sisters Kate and Edwina in series two changes everything for Anthony.

As he grapples with the love triangle, viewers will wonder if the playboy really has met his match.

Q4: Why is Anthony in a pond?

IN a series trailer packed with stand-out moments, Anthony clambering out of a pond in a wet shirt takes the spotlight — so much so that it’s one of the main scenes which viewers can’t wait to watch.

The action begins when Anthony helps Kate climb out of a boat, then they spring apart when they realise they have been holding hands for a little too long.

Anthony then trips over Kate’s dog Newton and stumbles backwards into the pond.

But has anyone else noticed the electric moment between the two?

And how will Kate and Edwina react to the sight of Anthony’s rippling muscles once they are revealed under his wet shirt?

Q5: Who are the glam new Sharma sisters?

KATE and Edwina Sharma have arrived in the Ton — Britain’s high society — to launch Edwina into the social scene.

Kate, who at 26 is considered an “old maid”, expects to act merely as Edwina’s guide and mentor —until she meets Anthony.

Actor Simone Ashley, who plays Kate, said of her character’s attraction to Anthony: “It’s a very interesting enemies-to-lovers story.

“They have a lot of friction at the beginning because they resonate with whatever traits that annoy each other within themselves, and then that breeds chemistry.

“They’re both used to people walking away and being isolated, being left alone, with a lot of pressures and responsibilities.

“I think they met each other and it was like, ‘It takes one to know one.

“‘I see a lot of me in you’.”

Kate can’t help how she feels but can’t bear to upset her sister – who has also fallen for the cad.

Q6: Will there really be no sex?

ANTICIPATION for the new series has been somewhat overshadowed by the news that telly’s raunchiest period drama has cleaned up its act.

The passionate debut series was packed with steamy scenes between Daphne and the Duke, as well as Anthony’s randy rampage.

But the bad news for those viewers who were looking forward to more of the same is that the second outing of the Regency romp hardly contains any sex. Instead we’re left with smouldering glances, the brushing of fingers and what we are promised is “electric chemistry”.

Show creator Chris said: “The chemistry between these two is electric. There’s so much sexiness about looks across the room, hands almost touching, the pay-off is amazing.”

Actress Simone said: “It makes sense for these characters. They’re so protective over their families and they’re so truthful to their duty and responsibility.”

Q7: What will become of Lady Whistledown?

ASIDE from the romance and romping, the biggest drama of series one was the revelation that Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan, was the real identity of Lady Whistledown, author of a scandalous society newsletter.

Penelope’s best pal Eloise Bridgerton spent most of the first series trying to find out who was behind the scandal sheet.

She almost rumbled Penelope when she saw a shadowy figure dropping off her latest pamphlet at the printers.

We know Penelope’s secret, but for how long will she be able to hide it from the Ton, now Queen Charlotte is on her tail?

Viewers will also want to know exactly how Penelope gathers her gossip and who her sources may be.

Q8: What will become of the Featheringtons?

WHEN Archibald, Baron Featherington (Ben Miller) was killed over gambling debts in series one’s finale, he left behind three single daughters and a headstrong wife Portia, played by Polly Walker.

As Bridgerton is set in 1813, none of the women will inherit the estate, leaving them penniless.

We saw Baroness Featherington’s face fall as she read the paperwork indicating which male relative would become the new Baron and take control of the family’s affairs.

Who is he? Could it be Archibald’s brother, or perhaps his father? And why is Portia so troubled by news of his impending arrival?

Either way, Portia’s ambition to marry off Prudence, Philippa and Penelope will grow over the course of this series.