star Charithra Chandran has declared feeling ‘so proud’ to represent the 50,000 South Asian people who were living in the UK during the Regency era, when the is set.
Charithra plays Edwina Sharma, the younger daughter of a new family introduced in the , who arrive in from India.
Edwina instantly catches the attention of Anthony Bridgerton (), while her older unmarried sister Kate () is set against the match.
Things get a little more complicated when Kate and Anthony forge their own connection.
The new season the series is based on, by introducing the South Asian family instead of the Sheffields, as in of novels.
Charithra said: ‘We have to remember that actually, in 1814, which is when the second season is set, there were 50,000 South Asians in the country, so we were here and of course we weren’t members of the ton, but we were in the country.
‘Obviously Bridgerton is in a fantasy world, and it’s just a carnival of joy and we don’t address England’s difficult past with India, but we are so intrinsically linked, the two countries.
‘I think it’s really wonderful that you’re not only representing those 50,000 South Asians that were there in 1814, but you’re representing that link that these two countries have and you’re representing all the South Asians in the UK right now, making sure that they can feel seen, that they’re important in this country and Simone and I are so proud to do that.’
Whilst she’s admitting the pride in representing her roots, Charithra has previously.
Speaking to Radio Times, the actress said she worried in her head that she would ‘ruin it’ for her ‘entire community’ if she was not perceived well in a performance.
‘If I’m being really honest and vulnerable, in my head I’m like, “Oh God, if people don’t like me in this or if I’ve done a bad job, I’ve ruined it for my entire community,”’ she said.
‘When you are a minority you invariably feel the weight of representing your entire community. That’s not imposed by anyone – but it’s something I feel.’
When Bridgerton originally launched, Netflix said that the show was viewed by a record 82million households in 28 days.
Charithra added: ‘Of course it’s daunting coming on to a show that is so successful and being like the new kid at school, but I think what we were really lucky about is you’re joining different family units, but we came in as a family unit.’
She also reflected on a particular moment when Ruth Gemmell, who plays Lady Bridgerton, says to the Sharmas: ‘”‘I can’t really remember a time when you guys weren’t here. I feel like you’ve always been a part of the show” and then just walked off.
‘I was like “Oh my god, you’ve made my life,” and that just shows you how friendly everyone is.’
The second series of Bridgerton launches on Netflix tomorrow, March 25.
