Bridgerton: No Duke, no problem as Netflix’s hit romp’s season 2 just as saucy

One of Netflix’s most beloved, biggest hits might have lost what many consider to be its brightest star, but its lustre (and lustiness) remains intact.

The Duke of Hastings (Rege-John Page) may have gone in search of greener fields, but there is still plenty of scandal, sauciness and repressed sentiments swirling about Bridgerton, as the second instalment of eight parts begins.

And while it leans into its Austen-ness (or should that be Will-ful-ness?) even more during this sophomore season (which begins streaming in New Zealand at 8pm on Friday, March 25), based on author Julia Quinn’s second tale The Viscount Who Loved Me, series creator Chris Van Dusen and the rest of the Shondaland team ensures this adaptation is more than just “plain Jane” or “Summer Shakespeare”.

That means the seemingly endless array of sumptuous costumes are back, the pacing perfectly pitched for both those who like to binge and those who love to savour, and the magnificent, classical versions of 20th and 21st century pop hits are once again sneakily and masterfully scattered throughout proceedings (this time around you can expect to hear thematically appropriate, string-heavy slices of classic cuts by the likes of Madonna, Alanis Morrisette and Robin).

For those unfamiliar, or confused, by Bridgerton’s setting. It’s Regency England – the mid-1810s – and our focus is on two households not quite both alike in dignity.