Bridgerton announces FOUR new cast members including Liar’s Shelley Conn for series two

Bridgerton has revealed the names of four new cast members joining the hit show for season two.

Charithra Chandran, Shelley Conn, Calam Lynch and Rupert Young have all been confirmed as having main roles in the Netflix series.

The exciting announcement comes just days after Regé-Jean Page, 31, who played the Duke of Hastings, revealed he wasn’t returning to the period drama.  

Welcome to the ton! Bridgerton has revealed the names of four new cast members joining the hit show for season two (pictured Charithra Chandran, right, and Shelley Conn, left)

Sharing the casting news on Twitter, the official Bridgerton account once again used the tone of Lady Whistledown to tell fans of the roles being filled.

A tweet read: ‘Dear Readers, it seems we have a few new faces in the Ton. Do try your best to welcome them generously. I know I certainly will….’

Charithra Chandran will play Edwina Sharma, Kate Sharma’s younger sister and Shelley Conn will play Mary Sharma, Kate’s mother.

While actor Calam Lynch will also join the cast as Theo Sharpe and Rupert Young will play Jack.

New characters: Calam Lynch (left) and Rupert Young (right) will also be joining the second series of the Netflix sensation as Theo Sharpe and newcomer Jack

The role of Kate – who is Anthony Bridgerton’s love interest – has already been announced, with Sex Education’s Simone Ashley taking on the character.

Charithra is set to play her sweet younger sister, who first catches the Anthony Bridgeton’s attention. Edwina is after a love match, just like Daphne in series one. 

The British Indian actress has previously starred in TV series Alex Rider, according to her IMDb page.

Shelley, 44, who has been previously seen in Liar as DI Vanessa Harmon and The Deceived as Ruth, will play the sisters’ mother Mary. 

Exciting! Sharing the casting news on Twitter, the official Bridgerton account once again used the tone of Lady Whistledown to tell fans of the roles being filled

Another family: Shelley, 44, who has been previously seen in Liar as DI Vanessa Harmon (pictured in her role) and The Deceived as Ruth, will play the sisters’ mother Mary

Her character is was born an Earl’s daughter but married a tradesman bringing scandal on the family.

In series two, Lady Mary has returned to London and is seen dealing with the watchful eye of the ton once more as her daughter’s debut in the world.

Calam will play Theo Sharpe, a hardworking printer’s assistant. But he’s not just a working class man, he’s also an intellectual who fights for the rights for all.

Calam has previously appeared in Derry Girls, the show which made Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan a household name, and film Benediction. 

Also cast: South Asian actress Simone Ashley – known for roles in Sex Education and Broadchurch – landed the new lead female role as Kate Sharma in season 2 of Bridgerton

In his sights: Simone will play the love interest of Anthony Bridgerton [played by Jonathan Bailey, pictured] with the second instalment of the Netflix sensation focusing on his character

And Rupert, who has previously starred in musical Dear Evan Hanson, will portray the role of Jack.

His character is described by Shondaland as: ‘The newest member of the ton with a connection to one of its most notable families.’

The upcoming series will centre around Andrew Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey, and his quest to find a wife.   

Phoebe Dynevor, who played Daphne Bridgerton in series one, will return for the next instalment of the streaming phenomenon.  

On Friday it revealed that Rege-Jean won’t be returning, with the star saying the show had a ‘one-season arc’ and his character’s story was finalised in one series.

He told Variety: ‘It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year. 

Shock: The latest announcement comes just days after Bridgerton heart-throb Regé-Jean Page revealed he will not return for series two on Friday (pictured in character)  

‘That’s interesting,’ because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.’  

The hit Netflix series took to its official Twitter account to reveal that the actor, who plays Simon Basset, won’t be appearing on season two. 

In a tongue-in-cheek statement penned as show lead Lady Whistledown, Bridgerton tweeted: ‘Your Grace, it has been a pleasure.’   

The statement read: ‘Dear Readers, while all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Regé-Jean Page, who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings. 

‘We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family. 

Statement: The Netflix series took to its official Twitter account to reveal that the actor, 31, who plays Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, will not be back

Emotional: Regé-Jean later confirmed his show exit in his own statement posted to Instagram where he shared a picture of himself in character and behind-the-scenes 

‘Pleasure and a privilege’: Rege-Jean gushed over his time on the show and ‘connection’ with everyone involved in the series

‘Daphne will remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season and what it has to offer – more intrigue and romance than my readers may be able to bear. Yours truly, Lady Whistledown.’

Regé-Jean, who is set to star in The Gray Man, also took to Instagram to confirm the news as he emotionally said it had been a ‘pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke’.  

He penned: ‘The ride of a life time. It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. 

‘Joining this family – not just on screen, but off screen too. Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans – it’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined.’

Signing off his message, he added: ‘The love is real and will just keep growing.’ 

No going back! Rege-Jean said the show had a ‘one-season arc’ and his character’s story was finalised in one series (pictured with Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne in the series)

Bridgerton fans, including Kim Kardashian, were left devastated by the shock exit as they took to social media to share their heartbreak. 

Rege-Jean’s exit has only fuelled speculation that he will replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond, as his odds were slashed to play the iconic spy.

In January, Rege-Jean was the bookies favourites to take on 007 after he hinted he could be a good contender to succeed Daniel Craig.

And now the odds have been slashed after the screen star announced he won’t be returning to season two.

Bookies have dropped odds from 5/1 to just 7/2 following the shock news as it has ‘strengthened’ his chances of getting the role.

Counting down! The show’s second series and will focus on Anthony’s search for love (pictured L-R the Bridgerton siblings and their mother: Hyacinth (Florence Hunt), Colin (Luke Newton), mother Violet (Ruth Gemmell), Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), Eloise (Claudia Jessie), Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), Gregory (Will Tilson) and Benedict (Luke Thompson)