Billowing bodices, opulent sets and will-not-be-they romance can only mean one thing: Bridgerton is back.
Television critics warn in their reviews that fans hoping to see more of the naked asses and lewd sex scenes that made the first series such a hit will be disappointed.
While the love story is at the center of the series, this time between Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), it’s more of a slow buildup of tension than an all-out, clothes-ripping one. – from the attraction between the Duke of Hastings (Rare-Jean Page) and Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) in the first series.
In fact, the first two episodes are completely genderless.
But the show still has a lot to offer, critics insist. They gave the series a mostly four star review, which praises the show’s welcome frivolity and glamor in such a dark time.
As Dan Einav writes in the Financial Times, “It may never achieve the status of high art, but as high-end and escapist entertainment, it’s pretty flawless.”
Here’s a taste of what the critics say…
TIME
Rating: 
Carol Midgley writes: The sex scenes in the first season of Bridgerton were considered so “spicy” that some of them were reportedly pirated on porn sites.
However, any viewers tuning into the second series of the heartbreaking Regency drama hoping to see more of the same may feel a bit overwhelmed.
Whereas last time it was only three minutes before copulation began, this time more restraint is shown. In fact, the entire first episode does not contain sex, nor does the second…
Most of the time, it’s still flimsy cotton candy filled with dresses, foam, and clichés, but it’s more, a splash of fun, glamour, and color in a bleak world (his timing is excellent).
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Rating: 
Anita Singh writes: “Bridgerton” may be frivolous – and it’s the first costume drama in which a character dies from anaphylactic shock from a bee sting – but it’s determined to highlight the woman’s place in society.
Played by Claudia Jessie, Eloise is one of the best things here, bringing a spark that some of the bigger performances lack.
There are times when the central relationship between Anthony and Kate seems to drag on without much passion. But after a series binge – in the service of this review, dear reader – their romance eventually carried me away.
Bailey, dare I say, brings more soul to the role of Lord Bridgerton than Page ever did with the Duke. And, if that’s what you’re really here for, then all the sex is in Episode 7.
TIME RADIO
Rating:
Lauren Morris writes, “Despite the episodes being too long and the plot stretching rather thinly over the course of the season at some points, the second season of Bridgerton is just as, if not more, addictive than the first.
Aside from the central romance, we see Eloise coming to her senses while she is still on the hunt for the man behind Lady Whistledown, while season 2 is quite tense for Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), who finds it increasingly difficult to hide the fact that it is she writes these gossip.
Ultimately, if you enjoyed the first season, you’ll enjoy every episode of this Regency romp, its intriguing new characters and impressive performances from a superb cast, with Jonathan Bailey shining in his well-deserved spotlight.
FINANCIAL TIME
Rating:
Dan Einav writes: “You enjoy this frivolity almost as much as I do,” says Queen Charlotte in the new series of the Netflix drama Bridgerton, referring not only to her confidant, Lady Danbury, but also to those viewers who we are a little annoyed.
Yes, it’s a glorified soap opera, the gigantic budget show seems to be underperforming, but don’t pretend you don’t like it.
To satirize Bridgerton’s massive popularity—it was Netflix’s most popular show before The Squid Game—is, ironically, to reflect the haughtiness of its aristocratic characters.
It may never reach the status of high art, but as high camp and escapist entertainment, it’s completely flawless.
INDEPENDENT
Rating:
Nick Hilton writes: “Bridgerton is under no illusions about what it is: a completely unsophisticated opportunity to see beautiful people in bonnets walking by candlelight.
From overdressed sets that have the same aesthetic as Valentine’s Day’s WeWork to overdressed actors, this is a show that indulges our lowest qualities yet does so delightfully.
Bridgerton may be close to losing the plot, but be honest with yourself: you weren’t expecting it anyway.
METRO.CO.UK
3.5 stars
Sabrina Barr writes: “At the start of the second season of Bridgerton, one gets the feeling that while these are enjoyable hours, they don’t quite live up to the splendor of the first season.
When the show first aired, a diverse cast, contemporary music, and a passionate show of sexual positivity in 19th-century society made it refreshingly new. Thus, matching his first output has always been a challenge.
However, it’s worth waiting for new episodes to amp up the action, romance and scandal, and the story will intensify at every turn until viewers suddenly realize just how much they’ve been drawn into the decadent tale.
MACHINED
With Anthony and Kate, and Bailey and Ashley, the second season of Bridgerton went gold.
Even the debut season of the blockbuster couldn’t come close. Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon (Rare-Jean Paige) gave us frequent sex scenes between two attractive actors, but in the first season they didn’t understand what this season does: the true meaning of the word “sexy”.
Hiring an Indian actor to play Kate gives the strained relationship the feel of a Bollywood romance, where the characters often flirt, fantasize and assert themselves, but never even share a kiss.
There are spectators who will not understand, and this is their loss. But for those who do, this author promises an unforgettable courtship that will not soon be surpassed.