Created by Chris Van Dusen from the novels by Julia Quinn, the Regency Era with a twist period drama is produced by Shonda Rhimes. The megaproducer is behind hit shows such as Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy, as well as Viola Davis-fronted How To Get Away With Murder.
'Bridgerton’ Fans Love The Connection Between The Period Drama And The 'Harry Potter' Films
Set in the 1810s London, Bridgerton sees protagonists Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon (Regé-Jean Page) pretend to be courting to get their way in the cut-throat marriage market, ending up falling in love.
Page has quickly become extremely popular for his role of Simon Bassett, Duke of Hasting and Licker of Spoons. Fans went wild upon discovering he shows up in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 in an uncredited role.
“Realizing that Rege-Jean Page was in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 is so exciting to me!” @wordsofnothing1 wrote.
Similarly, Freddie Stroma, who plays the Daphne-infatuated Prince Friedrich on Bridgerton, features as Cormac McLaggen in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where he develops a crush on Hermione. He reprised his role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Parts 1 and 2.
“Oh my god Prince Friedrich in Bridgerton is played by the same actor who played Cormac McLaggen in Harry Potter,” @coolbeansbenz wrote.
‘How To Get Away With Murder’ Went There Before, Says Fan
While some Bridgerton fans are discovering the connection between the steamy period drama and the Harry Potter franchise, Shondaland aficionados know well that Hogwarts is a talent pool for Rhimes and her casting assistants.
“People are freaking out that an actor from Harry Potter is in #Bridgerton like Shonda Rhimes didn’t have the kid who played Dean Thomas be the MAIN CHARACTER in #HTGAWM,” @kstrauss11 wrote on Twitter.
Legal drama How To Get Away With Murder, in fact, stars English-Brazilian actor Alfred Enoch as protagonist Wes Gibbins.
Fans might have been fooled by Enoch’s flawless American accent, but the London-born actor made his film debut in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2001. Enoch plays Dean Thomas, one of Harry and Ron’s friends at Hogwarts, in six out of seven movies of the Harry Potter saga.
You can catch some of the Harry Potter stars in Bridgerton, now streaming on Netflix