From a young age, Charithra Chandran captivated film audiences in the British West End. It now has a global audience with Bridgerton Season 2, where she captures the brotherly magic of her character’s bond with which Edwina Sharma Simone Ashleyis Kate, although they both vie for Anthony Bridgerton’s affection (Jonathan Bailey).
Prior to his role in BridgertonChandran was best known for starring in the second season of Alessio Cavaliere on Amazon Prime Video. A graduate of Oxford University, Chandran is fluent in three languages and is a member of the UK’s National Youth Theater.
Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma and Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma in Netflix’s “Bridgerton” Season 2
Netflix
The centerpiece of the second season is Kate Sharma’s quest to find a true suitor and husband for her younger sister, Edwina. Returning to her mother’s homeland of London after a trip to India, the close-knit sisters have arrived for debutant season to watch a series of dances and walks.
Kate is not looking for her boyfriend, but she is closely leading her sister’s search for what she will be; she hopes to cultivate a “true love match” for Edwina.
While Chandran is savoring every moment of Bridgertonsays there was a bit of a learning curve to fit the Regency society’s “moving” norms.
Related: Bridgerton Star Jonathan Bailey talks about what to expect in Season 3
“I am a great agitator; I’m constantly shaking my leg or whatever. During that time, the movement was really somehow wrapped up in this idea of conservatism, as well as a silence, ”Chandran told Parade.com exclusively.
“So figuring out how to move, what’s right, what the appropriate decor would be, all that stuff [was a learning experience]”He continues.” We also got help on set with all those aspects of our character. “
Read on for what Charithra Chandran returns for Bridgerton Season 3, I really enjoyed stepping into Edwina Sharma’s shoes and bodices.
How do you see Edwina Sharma, your key character in Bridgerton?
Charithra Chandran: For me, Edwina is a person who is coming of age. On the show, you really see her transform from a young girl into a young woman. And at first she’s pretty naive, willing to be pretty submissive, thinking others know her better than herself. Then, in the end, you see her take control of her life and her destiny and take her place.
When you were first cast as Edwina, what was it like to be part of a show that was already such a huge international success?
It was both nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. Obviously, unnerving because he is so well received and loved, and you want to do him justice. But it’s also extremely exciting because you know, for the exact same reasons. I would say it was a combination of nervousness and excitement.
Related: Bridgerton Star Nicola Coughlan has “high hopes” for Penelope and Colin: beyond the second season: find out why!
I always think about it Bridgerton like a fantasy, a magical environment within which you can discuss real and serious things. The setting is extraordinary, but these people are very recognizable. I think especially with such a female-centric show where most of the characters are women, everyone can relate to someone, everyone has a spokesperson. In many ways, the kind of really serious discussions we’re having almost become more palatable when he’s in this magical setting.
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Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma, Shelley Conn as Mary Sharma and Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma in the second season of Netflix’s “Bridgerton”
Netflix
I think for many of us in life we have often found people with whom we have had this connection who were not our romantic partners. For many of us, our soul mates are our best friends, our siblings or maybe our parents, who knows? I think the whole theme of Bridgerton it’s mainly about all the different kinds of love. The sisters’ relationship is as important as the [romantic] love story, like the one about the friendship between Eloise and Penelope, or between Danbury and the Queen and Lady Bridgerton. The show is about all different types of love.
Related: Here’s why Bridgerton Star Luke Newton calls Colin and Penelope series “Ross and Rachel”
Filming the prom scenes is really interesting. It takes many days because they involve such complicated set pieces. For the first day, it’s amazing because you see everyone in their glorious costumes and this fantastic setting, and you manage to catch up with the whole cast. But then, after a while, it can get really quite exhausting. I’m glad it looks so magical on screen, but it’s the fruit of hard work by many different people.
Was exquisite dancing something you enjoyed? Was it difficult for you?
Oh, I love to dance. Absolutely love it! So that was one of the most exciting and fun parts because at what other time would you have had the opportunity to learn to dance, right? I liked it and didn’t find it too difficult. It was more complicated to provide dialogue while dancing, but the dance itself was just fun for me.
Shelley Conn as Mary Sharma and Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma in her wedding scene from the second season of Netflix’s “Bridgerton”
Netflix
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Please talk about the whole look of Queen Charlotte choosing the most coveted rookie of the season, also known as the “diamond”.
I think how diamond equates this season is a title [like] be a viscount, duke or queen. It’s something that comes with expectation, pressure and honor like so many different things. That’s why I think you see how Anthony and Edwina connect in a very different way than obviously Kate and Anthony. But they connect because both of their lives are now dictated by a title that has been bestowed upon them and which they have not necessarily chosen.
How did you and Simone Ashley find the chemistry for your sibling bond? Being someone who adores my two older sisters, I know there are pretty strong bonds there.
Absolutely. I think we had a lot of time to chat and really enriched the story of these two characters. And honestly, especially with Shelley Conn, who plays Mary, our mother, was quite natural; we were really lucky.
Related: Where was it Bridgerton turned? Here are all the beautiful filming locations
Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma in the second season of Netflix’s “Bridgerton”
Netflix
What are some of your favorite aspects of the second season?
The story is completely different from the first season, which did an amazing job of creating this unique world, which is a great responsibility. But because season 2 doesn’t have to, from the start it can just be bigger, bolder, and jump right in. And that’s what you get!
Bridgerton Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Netflix.
Next, Bridgerton star Simone Ashley tells her “love story with fireworks” on screen with Jonathan Bailey!