Inside the Real Love Lives of Bridgerton Stars

Find out how Bridgerton's Bessie Carter, Sam Phillips, Nicola Coughlan and more are faring at romance off-camera.

By Natalie Finn Jun 30, 2024 7:00 AMTags
Watch: Find Out Which 'Bridgerton' Stars Are Dating in Real Life

When bosoms are heaving and bodices ripping all around you at work, it stands to reason that a little office romance might develop.

Bessie Carter and Sam Phillips caught each other's eye across a crowded set while their Bridgerton characters enjoyed other pursuits this past seaon, Prudence Dankworth being a married woman now, while Lord Debling fancied her younger sister Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan.

And while those two actors have confirmed their real-life affinity for each other with public displays of affection, they aren't the only ones who've found their names linked in certain circles.

At the same time, some cast members have made a point of unlinking their names, Coughlan shutting down speculation that she and eventual onscreen husband Luke Newton, whose Colin Bridgerton traveled a torturous road before arriving at happiness with Penelope, are anything more than good mates.  

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Bridgerton Secrets and Easter Eggs

But Newton noted that the fans' investment in their onscreen coupledom was really sweet. "It's so lovely that there's that much thought into it and how much they ship Colin and Pen," he told the Associated Press June 12. "It's a beautiful thing."

Indeed, the Netflix series can't help but make people want to fall in love.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

"It's very hopeful, and it makes you believe," Simone Ashley, whose Kate Sharma marries into the Bridgerton family, explained. "It really captures your imagination and your heart again. The same feeling that the show brings—pass that on to someone else. Make someone else feel as amazing as the show makes you feel."

There's no way you're not in the mood for love now—and there's no need to wait for Lady Whistledown's next dispatch! Grab your smelling salts and catch up with the love lives of the Bridgerton stars:

Nicola Coughlan

Single or at least not openly dating anybody, the scene-stealing actress who plays the former Penelope Featherington (now Bridgerton) has some phenomenal advice for those still on the market.

"Don't compromise yourself," Coughlan told the Associated Press in June 2024. "Wait for the right person because you’re worth it."

Sam Phillips and Bessie Carter

Lord Debling and Prudence Dankworth (née Featherington) may not factor into each other's love lives on the show, but the actors have made a real-life match.

And it appears that Carter's mum Imelda Staunton approves.

Phoebe Dynevor

Daphne Bridgerton swapped vows with Regé-Jean Page's Simon Basset, and now the Bridgerton alum plans to take her own stroll down the aisle.

Dynevor flashed her engagement ring from producer Cameron Fuller at the 2024 Met Gala.

Regé-Jean Page

The erstwhile Duke of Hastings, Page having left the show after season one, keeps his personal cards close to his vest off-camera, but has looked awfully happy in copywriter Emily Brown's company since 2021.

Jonathan Bailey

Like Anthony, 9th Viscount Bridgerton, the English actor prefers to stay mum on romantic affairs.

But he told The Standard in December 2023 that he was in a not-secret-but-private relationship with a "lovely man."

"Having a private life is, for me, completely critical," the Fellow Travelers star said. "I don't know if I would be able to be as confident to speak out on other things if I felt that my whole life was up for grabs."

Simone Ashley

The Sex Education star, who fit the Vicountess bill for Anthony upon arrival from India, confirmed she was in a relationship with Tino Klein with a March 2023 Instagram post.

Luke Thompson

Benedict Bridgerton seemingly just wants to be free to do his thing, as an artist and in the bedroom. Though maybe he's developing some feelings...

And Thompson, who's not one to share what he's up in real life, was totally onboard with his character's journey, wherever it took him.

"It's lovely to explore," he told Deadline ahead of the season three finale, "but also putting down some roots and choosing something or someone also has huge value and excitement."

Luke Newton

Newton dated actress Jade Louise Davies—her sister Amber Davies won Love Island U.K. in 2017 with then-boyfriend Kem Cetinay—for several years.

But he was snapped following Bridgerton's June 2024 midseason premiere in London hand-in-hand with dancer Antonia Roumelioti.

Of course, most fans are just disappointed that Colin Bridgerton and Penelope aren't together in real life.

"We think it’s really sweet," Coughlan told Extra of the off-camera shipping that goes on for them. "I think because we truly love each other."

Charithra Chandran

The actress who plays Kate's sparkling sister Edwina Sharma may be single at the moment, but she sent hearts soaring with the release of her 2024 rom-com How to Date Billy Walsh, costarring her longtime friend Sebastian Croft.

Claudia Jessie

It turns out the actress destined to play Eloise Bridgerton ended up falling for the non-actor she auditioned with, casting editor Cole Edwards.

"I got a job and a fella on the same day," Jessie told The Guardian in April 2024. "It was a great day for me, wasn't it?"