'Bridgerton' Showrunner Explores Kate And Anthony's First Meeting

"Bridgerton" showrunner Chris Van Dusen is opening up about the romance arc between Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) and Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey).

Although the two didn't get along at first and Anthony almost married her young sister, Edwina, the two ended up getting married by the end of season 2, although it wasn't shown on screen.

The showrunner for seasons 1 and 2, Chris Van Dusen, recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to talk about how the enemies-to-lovers trope prevalent throughout the season started with the very first scene.

Considering there are only a limited number of episodes in the Netflix period drama, Kate and Anthony meet in the very first episode. Anthony spots Kate horseback riding through the park and quickly catches up with her.

Although he seems eager to engage in friendly banter, Kate questions what people would think if they saw them together in the park so early in the morning and tries to brush off his inquisitive questions.

Chris Van Dusen said that their first meeting “establishes the main enemies-to-lovers storyline.”

He noted that their chemistry and tension were present between them starting from their first meeting.

“I wanted this scene to tease the dynamic that was in store for these two characters. The attraction is just palpable, and the banter is witty and fast,” he continued.

“I wanted the first words you hear out of Kate’s mouth to be in Hindi,” Van Dusen added, noting that the phrase “baap re” is similar to what English speakers might interpret to mean “oh dear.”

“We were always looking for ways to honor the Sharmas’ South Asian heritage, to infuse this world with certain details that were specifically linked to the family’s heritage,” he continued, adding that it was one of the most fun aspects of writing for the series.

“We want to show and hear things that aren’t traditionally seen or heard in this genre. That’s what makes it Bridgerton — we do the unexpected,” he said.

Van Dusen praised the performances of both actors in their first scene together.

“Ashley nails that first line, and you immediately feel her annoyance by this other presence known as Anthony Bridgerton,” he said.

“He thinks he’s being very charming and light-hearted. She doesn’t exactly feel the same way, especially when his next presumption is that she has to be married,” he continued.

Kate immediately tells him that she is not married but has no maid, shaking off many of his assumptions from the start. In addition, Kate proves herself quick-witted and sharp in the face of his many questions.

“Anthony realizes that Kate is quite different from every other young lady he’s ever met,” Van Dusen explained. “There’s something about her that jolts Anthony out of his malaise.”

Their frustrated banter suddenly shifts into sexual tension, creating a much different dynamic than fans were exposed to in season one.

Van Dusen says that this season “is very much about a game being played, and their fast-paced banter is a metaphor for what’s happening between Anthony and Kate all season.”

“The goal was to always feel just as much passion, angst, longing, and sexiness as we would from a scene where two people are ripping their clothes off,” he continued.

“At the end of the scene, you see that Anthony and Kate are both left breathless, but they’re also thoroughly elated,” Van Dusen added.

The showrunner also stated that he was delighted by the way the steamy scenes were portrayed on screen so fans could witness their electric chemistry firsthand.

Van Dusen said, “Jonathan and Simone play this so beautifully — the banter and the relationship is so organic, it doesn’t feel forced at all. You never know how a scene will translate onscreen, and you have to hope and pray the chemistry is there.”

Although season two is over and a new couple will take center stage in season 3, as the head of the Bridgerton household, Anthony isn't going anywhere. Simone has already hinted that fans might get to see them become parents by the time season 3 hits Netflix!

No release date has yet to be announced. Season 3 starts filming in London this summer.