'Bridgerton' Star Ruth Gemmell on the Life and Love of Lady Violet
For the first two seasons of Bridgerton—and, of course, that one season of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story—Lady Violet Bridgerton (played by Ruth Gemmell) has had her hands full. As the mother of the sprawling brood that gives the series its title, she’s been on hand for romance, heartbreak, scandal, celebration, and more balls than anyone could count. But in the Netflix hit’s third season, the second half of which is airing now, she’s finally getting something of a break from her spirited children and finding a moment for herself.
It's a welcome bit of excitement to see a burgeoning romance between Lady Violet and Lord Marcus Anderson ( Daniel Francis), the brother of her friend Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), even if earlier episodes of the season hint that he might not be the perfect suitor. After all, her children—especially Daphne in season one, Anthony in season two, and Colin in season three—have had the chance to explore (sometimes ill-advised) matters of the heart, and why shouldn’t she?
Here, Gemmell tells Town & Country about what the rest of the season has in store for Violet, and where she’s hoping the story goes next.
How would you describe this season of Bridgerton for Violet?
This time around, the audience has the knowledge of what happened in Queen Charlotte, but we finished filming season two, had Christmas, started filming Queen Charlotte, and then we were filming season three of Bridgeton all at the same time. There was no time for us to take what we'd learned with Queen Charlotte and let that settle in. I joke that Violet will always just be found drinking tea and navigating her children, so it was quite nice to have something else for her attention to be taken by. Also, this year's love story is particularly lovely because Colin and Penelope are characters we've seen grow up dancing around the issue [of their relationship]. To see them finally get together is a lovely payoff.
Their relationship is the focus of the season, but there’s a lot of romance for other characters as well.
I know it’s taking everyone by surprise, but those are scenes [for Colin and Penelope] that directly come from the books. In terms of Violet and Lord Anderson, that never happens in the book. She always remains on her own and has no interest at all in anyone [other than her late husband]. I think there is room for the fact that no one will ever match up to Edmond, but it doesn't stop somebody finding love in a different way. Every relationship we have is always different, and it's nice to recognize that.
Did you ever expect a love interest for her?
Sometimes Jess [Brownell, our showrunner] would drop hints, but you never take anything for granted until it's there in black and white, because things change. So, it sounds interesting, but I forget about it until it's on the page because there's no point in getting excited about something that may never happen.
She’s also inching closer to an empty nest and will need something to occupy all that time she currently spends getting her children out of trouble.
My children are endlessly pissing the Queen off, every single season. I'm entering each season quite nervous about what the next one's going to do.
How would you describe state of the family at the end of this season?
I would say happy. I think Violet is sad that her daughter is going so far away; Eloise will be gone for some time, but she'll come back. I often dip in and out of the books because even though we have veered from them, it’s always interesting to go back to find out what the base of the character is, what people say about her, what I say about them. I find that quite helpful in terms of plot line. One of the things she says about her children is that she misses the one who is not present. So, whenever people ask me, ‘which is your favorite child,’ that's the answer I give because that's how Violet sees it. And I think she's sorry that Francesca will be going so far away, but everybody is happy, and that's what she wants.
Are there hopes you have for her going forward?
It'll be interesting to see what comes of her relationship with Lord Anderson. Partly because I think she is so bound up in her children and her friendships. I'd also like to spend more time selfishly as an actress with some of the other characters on a one-to-one basis. I have a great time with Adjoa Andoh. We really enjoy our scenes together, and I'd like that with some of the others as well. People often talk about the friendship between Lady Danbury, the Queen, and myself, but the thing is that I don't ever go to see the Queen. I'm just in awe of her every time I see her, so it'd be nice to find some burgeoning friendship with her.
What will the unmasking of Lady Whistledown mean for the Bridgerton family?
It'll be interesting what they come up with. In the books, you knew who Lady Whistledown was, but you do know going through the books who she is until she's revealed. I think they felt like the audience knew too much already that they couldn't keep it going for much longer, which is why they wanted the big reveal. It'll be interesting what will take that place or how even Lady Whistledown will be seen now that she’s using her own voice.
Is there any other period piece that you would want to make?
What's lovely about Violet is that she's the first nice mother I've played; normally, I'm either a really shit mother, I kill people, or I die. A character I would love to play is Catherine of Aragon in Henry VIII, just because I love how this woman can navigate a scene with the king and the cardinal when they're trying to sideline her. To be somebody that erudite and articulate, which I am not, would be fantastic. And she has an ax to grind, and a purpose, and I think that's brilliant. Those are the kind of characters that I get very excited by.
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