Anonymous narrator and somewhat classy gossipmonger Lady Whistledown voiced by Julie Andrews introduces us to the two main families of season 1: The Bridgertons and the Featheringtons.
Daphne Bridgerton entered the social scene last year, guided by her brother Anthony, the oldest of the Bridgerton children, who serves as head of house after the unfortunate and untimely death of his father.
At the presentation of all the debutantes, each girl dons a feathery crown of sorts and, at the announcement of her name, walks down a long aisle to appear before Queen Charlotte Golda Rosheuvel , who looks them over before dismissing them. Lady Whistledown is the official town journalist, in more of a sensational tabloid type of way. It is Whistledown who will spill the tea and make this engagement season the rollercoaster it ends up being.
Marina Thompson Ruby Barker takes high society by surprise when she comes to stay with the Featheringtons, adding a fourth contestant to their already crowded party. Thompson is distantly related to the Featheringtons, but she grew up in the countryside on a farm. She is stunning, and surprisingly, when suitors make their way out into the world to court ladies on Calling Day, Ms. Thompson gathers a long line. Lady Danbury hosts the first party of the season, and Anthony has to escort Daphne to this ball.
Before the ball, he complains to his mistress opera singer Siena about all of his responsibilities. Anthony makes things more complicated for Daphne with his impossibly high standards for her potential husband, doing more harm than good in intimidating most of them and chasing them away from Daphne.
