With Bridgerton Season 3 ready to take the ballroom, you might be looking to revisit the Regency-era romance. Specifically Season 2, which aired in March 2022 and unlocks the love story of Viscount Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Miss Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). 

Over eight episodes, viewers witnessed the enemies-to-lovers journey of Anthony, a determined aristocrat, and Kate, the headstrong and loving sister of Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran). Although Anthony initially proposes to Edwina, it’s Kate he longs for. 

As Anthony and Kate come to realize their undeniable connection, the rest of the Bridgerton family finds themselves in scandals and flirtations. Benedict (Luke Thompson) plays with the idea of art school. Colin (Luke Newton) returns from his travels abroad hungry for a purpose — and finds one by ousting the scheming Jack Featherington (Rupert Young) from the ton. Colin happens to save his “friend” Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) in the process. And, Eloise (Claudia Jessie) is charmed by working class printer Theo Sharpe (Calam Lynch). She’s less delighted, however, to learn her dearest chum Penelope is the woman behind Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers. 

For an even deeper dive into every twist and turn of Bridgerton Season 2, keep reading for episode-by-episode recaps. It’s what Lady Whistledown would advise.  

Season 2, Episode 1

We thought we’d never see the day: Eloise is a blushing debutante! Of course she’s not going to be anything like her sister Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), who’s visiting from domestic bliss in Clyvedon — but this society season, and this season of Bridgerton, promises plenty of its own excitement.

It’s the start of a new society season, following an eventful Season 1, and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) is thirsty for some excitement. Eloise looks like she might faint as she presents herself to the Queen, but her faux pas is upstaged by a fresh scandal sheet from Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), the nom de plume of Penelope Featherington. Here we go again!

Now that his opera singer lover is out of the picture, Anthony is in search of marriage — and definitely not love. He’s treating courtship like a business transaction and burning through a long line of lovely prospects, claiming he’s holding out for “perfection.” And then, on his morning ride in the woods, he encounters Kate Sharma, who beats him in an impromptu horse race. Finally, Anthony is intrigued.

Kate has arrived on the scene with her stepmom Lady Mary (Shelley Conn) and her sister Edwina. Edwina is debuting this season, with the sponsorship this season of Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) — which, we know, is high praise. Kate, a “spinster” at the ripe old age of 26, isn’t interested in finding a husband for herself. Well, we’ll see.

When the Sharmas arrive at Lady Danbury’s lavish ball, we learn that Lady Mary is on the Queen’s bad side, and why: She was once named the Queen’s “diamond of the season,” only to marry way below her station to a “common worker” who already had a child: Kate.

Outside of Lady Danbury’s conservatory, Anthony and a gaggle of bros break down the ladies of the season, and Kate overhears his intention to marry without love. Anthony’s cold assessment of women as status symbols does not sit well with independent-minded Kate. She lets him know she’s not impressed; Anthony is just the kind of bachelor she plans to keep away from her dear little sister Edwina.

Lady Danbury, a very wily woman, can see the Sharmas have a secret. She uses her Lady Danbury wiles to get it out of Kate: Lady Mary’s parents, the Sheffields, will only hand over the family fortune if Edwina marries into English nobility. (They couldn’t care less if Kate marries.) Kate has kept this information from Edwina, so she won’t feel pressure to rush into a marriage for the sake of the family.

The conversation endears the Sharmas to Lady Danbury, who pulls strings with Queen Charlotte to “shake up” the ton this year, y’know, keep things fresh. Lady Danbury’s maneuvers work: The Queen names Edwina the diamond of the season. That’s Anthony’s cue to make his move. As he talks to Edwina during a dance, he realizes that she’s not only lovely, but also has more substance than anyone he’s met so far. The only obstacle to wooing Edwina is his new enemy Kate — and she’s going to be tougher to get past than any mama in the ton.

Season 2, Episode 2

Anthony cuts to the front of Edwina’s long line of suitors, asking Kate for permission to take her sister to the races. She brutally rebuffs him, but Anthony manages to squeeze his way to a spot on the bleachers next to Edwina, charming her more than the escort Kate arranged for her. But Kate is still dead set against letting her sister marry a capital-R Rake.

Colin comes back from abroad, and no one’s happier to see him than Penelope , who’s been writing to him all along. Her beautifully written letters had the unintended consequence of inspiring Colin to become more introspective and swear off women altogether … for the time being, at least. 

Later, the Queen takes the Sharma sisters to look at her pet zebras, because she loves a bit of razzle dazzle— and an agenda. Lady Danbury figures out a game is afoot quickly: The Queen is using Edwina as a pawn to figure out the identity of Lady Whistledown. Meanwhile, Eloise’s interest in finding a husband may be nonexistent, but her interest in uncovering Lady Whistledown’s identity is undimmed. A new clue leads her to Penelope’s print shop in a seedy part of town. But a third amateur detective gets the closest to the truth when Madame Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale) spots Penelope carrying a new letter through the market.

Lady Danbury throws another soirée — this time, the men have been asked to display their talents to prove their accomplishments to the women. Benedict  coaches Anthony — who wasn’t invited — on delivering an original poem on the nature of womanly beauty. Anthony pulls a masterly, theatrical move by throwing Benedict’s pre-written speech in the fire and speaking from the heart … and Edwina falls for it. Kate would slow clap, if she weren’t so furious.

Season 2, Episode 3

Flash back to ten years earlier, to the time when Edmund Bridgerton (Rupert Evans) was killed by a bee sting while out for a hunt with oldest son Anthony. We finally see how much pressure Anthony was under to take care of his family, how much his mother leaned on him, and why he’s as hardened to love as he is today. 

Back in the present, Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker) is spinning out over the possibility that Cousin Jack, the newly arrived Featherington heir, will find a bride and oust the family from their home. She devises a plan to get him to marry her daughter Prudence (Bessie Carter), who’s his cousin, which isn’t weird — in fact, it’s part of a grand, royal tradition, she counters! Unfortunately, Prudence is not a great wit and strikes out with Jack on their first meeting. On the other hand, Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) — she’s back! — has much better luck.

Meanwhile, the Bridgertons are preparing for their annual gala at their country estate, Aubrey Hall. Anthony, in a bid to woo Edwina, has invited the Sharmas and Lady Danbury to join them a few days early. Anthony’s not wasting any time; he has a ring for the youngest Sharma.

But first, the young folks play a game of pall-mall, which is apparently like croquet, except that you hit the balls way harder with the mallets. Anthony and Kate knock each other’s balls out of play, sending them deep into the woods. During their retrieval mission, they both slip and slide and fall into the mud together — just kiss already! The sexual tension is unbearable, but just in time, Anthony remembers his duty to his family. He has charming-enough conversation with Edwina, but feels little passion or deep connection with her. She’s a safe choice, and any tragedy between them would leave neither in the catatonic state Violet experienced following Edmund’s death. Kate and Anthony on the other hand … it’s fireworks — and oceans of immediate understanding — every time. 

At dinner, Anthony comes close to proposing to Edwina. Everyone’s leaning forward, waiting for it, but he backs off, and Edwina is crushed, thinking she did something wrong. But it couldn’t be because Anthony and Kate made eye contact right before his proposal, could it?

As Kate confronts Anthony for breaking her sister’s heart, a bee stings her; Anthony panics, but Kate calms him by laying a hand on his chest. Just kiss already! But no, not quite yet…. 

Season 2, Episode 4

The Bridgertons are buzzing around Aubrey Hall, preparing for the big ball. Edwina suspects that Anthony didn’t propose because of Kate. She’s right, but for the wrong reason. She thinks it’s because Anthony knows Kate disapproves of him. The solution, she thinks, is simple: Kate just needs to get to know him better. The irony!

After spending some time getting acquainted with her brother’s wifely prospect, Daphne isn’t sold on Edwina for Anthony — she’s a little too sweet and perfect, not enough of a challenge.

Edwina encourages Kate to join Anthony and Benedict on a hunt. Desperate to make her sibling happy, Kate relents and goes for the ride. But, during the hunt, Kate and Anthony have an almost-but-not-quite sexy moment, again, but tear away from each other right before the crucial moment, again. And later, at the grand ball, Edwina pushes Kate to dance with Anthony so he can ask her for her blessing to propose. The dance ends with Anthony storming away when Kate tells him she’ll leave London as soon as her sister is engaged.

Kate chases after him. They loudly declare their dislike for each other, which we all know is the biggest turn-on there is. Their lips almost touch when Daphne walks in on them. Daphne, who’s gotten wise in these things, encourages her brother to follow his heart. Anthony agrees.

Which means he races to Kate to declare his love for her! Just kidding. He finally proposes to Edwina.

Meanwhile, as part of her plan to ensnare Cousin Jack into marriage to Prudence, Lady Featherington arranges for Jack and Prudence to be caught alone together at the ball. Technically, the plan works. Jack and Prudence end up engaged. But, the scheme also backfires for the Featheringtons. Backed into a corner, Jack admits that he’s actually penniless, and needs to marry a woman for her fortune. A woman like, say, Cressida.

Season 2, Episode 5

Queen Charlotte is pleased as punch that her diamond Edwina has found the most impressive match possible. Anthony wants a chill wedding in the country, but the Queen will hear none of it — she will host the nuptials herself. In Regency England, just like today, wedding planning is far too important to be left to the bride and groom.

Kate is stewing about the engagement. So Lady Danbury reminds her that the Sharmas should be even more eager than the Bridgertons for the marriage to proceed. Don’t forget — Kate is the one who made that uneasy agreement with the Sheffields. Meanwhile Anthony is pretending that nothing happened with Kate, but he can’t help but get wildly jealous when another man takes her on a boat ride. Anthony is so green with envy, in fact, that he ends up falling into the pond while following them. (Beginning to think this guy is a klutz.)

Kate insists that she’s perfectly happy to remain unmarried. But she’s far less convincing on the subject than Eloise, who sneaks away from the promenade to attend a meeting about women’s rights. There, she runs into Theo, a worker at Penelope’s print shop, who might actually be a match for her: finally, someone she can bond with over writing and ideas.

Lord and Lady Sheffield (Anthony Head and Shobu Kapoor) come to London to meet Edwina for the first time, at a dinner thrown by Lady Danbury. The Sheffields, Mary’s parents, are instantly charmed by Edwina. They’re not excited to see Mary or Kate — they still haven’t gotten over Mary’s refusal of their match for her all those years ago. The tension boils over, and the agreement over Edwina marrying a nobleman comes to the surface. Anthony steps up and throws the Sheffields out of the manor, which seems romantic at first. But he and Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) are still furious to have found out about the scheme.

Kate tries to fix the situation. Anthony isn’t having it — another heated argument ensues, and— would you believe it?! —the intensity generates another moment of simmering romantic tension? Anthony declares that the two of them should stay apart for the good of their families. Kate, despite her feelings, encourages him to proceed with marrying Edwina.

Season 2, Episode 6

Anthony and Edwina’s wedding is the event of the season — there are peacocks! Fireworks! And the Queen wants to use the wedding as a trap to expose Lady Whistledown’s identity by spreading false rumors among the guests. What could go wrong?

Edwina is glowing, and Kate is making a valiant attempt at being happy for her. Kate offers up her prized bracelets from her own mother for Edwina to wear at the wedding. Edwina, ever a sweetheart, insists that Kate wear the stunning accessories them herself. In the Bridgerton camp, Daphne makes one last-ditch attempt to convince Anthony to follow his heart and break off the wedding to Edwina. Naturally, as always, Anthony chooses duty over love. The wedding must go on.

At the altar, Anthony and Kate can’t stop staring at each other. When Kate drops her bracelet, Anthony rushes to pick it up for her. The entire church can see what’s up — including poor Edwina. She flees the altar, unable to breathe.

Edwina finally explodes at Kate. Yet, there’s one person who’s even more upset:  Queen Charlotte, whose pride was riding on this event. She considered this her wedding. Amid her rising tensions with Lady Whistledown, this soiree needed to go off without a hitch. Anthony offers to continue the wedding, but a wiser, sadder Edwina turns him down.

Then a whole lot of explosions go off all at once — and not the Queen’s fireworks. Penelope makes some promising headway with Colin. Jack flirts with Lady Featherington, and it seems to work. Kate and Anthony, alone in the chapel, finally confess their truth and share the kiss we’ve been waiting for all season.

Season 2, Episode 7

Lady Whistledown aims her pen straight at Queen Charlotte, pointing out that her diamond of the season ended up the season’s biggest scandal. In the wake of the broken engagement, the Sharmas and Bridgertons have become pariahs, and their rivals could not be more pleased, including a smug Lady Featherington. The two families come up with a brilliant idea to rehab their image: They’ll throw a ball! Nothing could ever go wrong at a ball!

The Queen suspects Eloise of being Lady Whistledown. She was tipped off that Eloise was seen sneaking around Bloomsbury near the print shop (where she was visiting Theo). The Queen promises to add to the Bridgertons’ shame if Eloise doesn’t confess within three days. Penelope, determined to bail out her BFF, runs to her newfound accomplice Madame Delacroix, who suggests that Lady Whistedown take suspicion off Eloise by writing something scathing about her. After all, who would write malicious gossip about themselves? It’s a foolproof plan (right?).

Absolutely no one shows up to the Bridgertons’ ball. They turn lemons into lemonade and have more fun dancing among themselves than they would if the entire ton had attended, but still, it’s shocking that no one came. Turns out it’s not fallout from the wedding: Lady Whistledown has written about Eloise consorting with “political radicals” in Bloomsbury. Penelope’s foolproof plan has worked too well, and the scandal has grown too big for the Sharmas, the Bridgertons, or even Lady Danbury to handle.

Anthony and Kate have yet another row, which naturally leads to them giving into their “impure, forbidden” desires. All night. In the gazebo. In the morning, Anthony wakes up alone, right as rain starts to pour. Kate has run off on her horse, and Anthony chases after. The horse bucks, and Kate is knocked unconscious after she hits her head on a rock. If she’s dead, we riot…

Season 2, Episode 8

Lady Whistledown hasn’t put out a new scandal sheet in a suspiciously long time, even with the Bridgertons’ reputation in the gutter. It doesn’t help that Kate is still unconsciousand Eloise is still sneaking out to meet with Theo. 

The Featheringtons, on the other hand, are thriving — minus Penelope, who’s fretting about having potentially ruined Eloise’s life. They’re throwing a ball — creatively named the Featherington Ball — and Jack has been successful in raising money from investors in his sham of an American ruby mine, including Colin.

The hits keep coming for the Bridgerton kids. Benedict finds out that he might only have gotten into art school because of a donation from Anthony. And in an effort to keep Eloise from getting into even more trouble, Penelope lies to her, saying that the servants are gossiping about her flirtation with Theo. Eloise tearfully breaks things off with him.

When Kate regains consciousness, Lady Bridgerton gives Anthony a stirring pep talk about marrying for love — just as she did, before her beloved Edmund had his tragic run-in with the bee. Anthony visits Kate’s bedside and proposes, but she turns him down — she’ll be returning to India. But not before she attends the Featherington Ball.

At the posh party, Eloise starts to put together the true pieces of Lady Whistledown’s identity. And the evidence starts to point to wallflower Penelope. Who else could be so observant and in the know? Before more can be uncovered, Colin takes Penelope into a back room … but not to do anything scandalous (sorry, Pen). He exposes Jack as a fraud who sells fake gems. Although Lady Featherington and Jack teamed up for their misdeeds, Portia sends her new love interest packing. But, she also manages to keep a large share of their misbegotten funds in the process. Do not mess with this mama.

Kate and Anthony finally have their dance — to an orchestral “Wrecking Ball,” a perfect soundtrack to their tumultuous love affair. To save face, and show a little mercy to such a charming pair, Queen Charlotte pretends that calling off the Edwina-Anthony wedding was her idea all along.

As one couple comes together, one friendship dies. Eloise confronts Lady Whistledown — or rather, Penelope, whom she thought was her closest friend. Penelope vows to stop writing her scandal sheets, but Eloise can’t forgive her friend for ruining her first blush of romance with Theo. Or maybe Eloise is angry that Penelope actually managed to put action behind her beliefs, which is something Eloise hasn’t been brave enough to do. To make a terrible night worse, Penelope overhears Colin telling a group of his bros that he’d never court a girl like her, ever.

Still, it’s also a night for happy endings. Anthony finally lets out his inner gooey romantic and declares his love for Kate in a purely earnest way. They kiss without having to keep it a secret as fireworks burst behind them. In a flash-forward, we see them as a couple, happily in love — and married —  enjoying a sunny day at Aubrey Hall. A rousing game of pall-mall, of course, isn’t far away. 

Meanwhile, Penelope decides to press on as Lady Whistledown, which means more Julie Andrews and drama for Season 3. Watch out, Colin Bridgerton — you’re up next! 

Additional reporting by Ariana Romero. 

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