Where were the cast of ‘Bridgerton’ educated?

bridgerton season 3
The cast of Bridgerton season 3 were educated at a range of London unis. Source: Charley Gallay/AFP

If you’re an avid Netflix binger, you’re likely to have caught up with all the episodes “Bridgerton”. For two seasons, the innovative and refreshing show has been expanding an audience’s perception of romance, casting unconventional leads (at the time) and creating storylines that are inclusive of all. 

It’s no wonder that anticipation for “Bridgerton season 3″ is at an all-time high. While not all the beloved cast members will be returning to the small screen, many are set to reprise their roles — something fans are extremely excited about. 

“Bridgerton” catapulted many of the cast members to fame — but that doesn’t mean they weren’t spending every second before the show readying themselves for a role of a lifetime. For most cast members of “Bridgerton season 3″, this meant enrolling in university, where they received the training they needed to eventually thrive on screen. 

The best part? These institutions accept and train international students too — which means you could get your start there, too. 

Here’s a look into where the cast members of “Bridgerton season 3″ studied: 

The unis that made the cast of Bridgerton season 3

Simone Ashley trained at the same theatre school that cultivated talents like Kate Winslet. Source: Araya Doheny/AFP

Simone Ashley

Simone Ashley turned heads as Kate Sharma, a respected young lady from India who moved to the UK in search of courtship and marriage. What turned fans’ heads, however, was how refreshing it was to see a South Asian actress as one of the main heroines within a conventionally British romantic drama. 

Ashley herself is of Indian Tamil descent. As a second-generation immigrant to the UK, she was always inclined towards the arts despite her parents’ concerns — what must be a familiar refrain for international students from similar cultural backgrounds. “My parents were quite protective over me,” she told Glamour magazine. “They came from India to this country, so they didn’t really have a life where they could choose whatever they wanted.”

Despite this, Ashley decided to persevere in her passions. Growing up, she attended classes at Redroofs Theatre School, the institution that trained talents like Kate Winslet, Jessica Henwick, and Kerry Ingram. 

For university, she went to Arts Educational School. With a campus in West London, Arts Educational School offers a variety of courses, including pre-university, undergraduate and postgraduate students looking to begin a career in drama, theatre and the arts. 

These courses include acting and musical theatre, as well as shorter programmes around dance and drama. 

 

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Luke Newton

Luke Newton is returning to “Bridgerton season 3″ as Colin, the third Bridgerton child in the acclaimed series. In fact, this season promises a larger spotlight on his character — with more time spent exploring his relationship with Penelope Featherington, another socialite within the show’s fictional depiction of London. 

“Bridgerton” was Newton’s first major role, but far from his first one. Prior to signing on with Netflix, Newton starred in television shows for Disney and BBC Two. 

He trained at the London School of Musical Theatre, a specialist institution specifically designed to boost working professionals’ careers in the arts. It offers a single one-year, full-time course which has been refined and developed over 25 years to produce the best possible results. 

Here, students receive rigorous training in singing, acting and dance — but what sets the school apart is its emphasis on identifying every individual’s needs and developing them accordingly. Through this personalised approach, students can work on what they find most challenging and overcome such hurdles to become better, more versatile and resilient performers. 

 

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Hannah Dodd

“Bridgerton season 3″ isn’t just bringing back familiar faces — it’s actively recruiting new cast members to expand the whimsical, period-drama world, as well. One of these is the sixth Bridgerton child, Francesca, who was recast after appearing briefly in season one. 

Newcomer Hannah Dodd will be taking on the role. Like many of her cast mates, Dodd signed on to play various small roles in a number of television shows and films before playing Francesca. 

Dodd has been candid about her struggle to land roles. “There is a lot of rejection, an awful lot,” she told the Belfast Telegraph. “It’s tough.” 

Before making it to one of Netflix’s most successful shows, Dodd trained at the London Studio Centre, where she gained a BA in Theatre Dance. This three-year course gives students comprehensive training in ballet, contemporary dance, jazz dance and musical theatre, whilst equipping them with specialist skills necessary for a career in the performing arts.