Why there are fewer sex scenes in season 2 of 'Bridgerton,' according to the showrunner and cast
- Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for season two of "Bridgerton."
- "Bridgerton" returned to Netflix with a lot less sex for its second season.
"Bridgerton" showrunner Chris Van Dusen defended having fewer sex scenes in season two during a press conference for the show.
Season two of the Netflix drama, which premiered on Friday, follows viscount Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) as he tries to find a wife in 19th century London. The first season was a big hit for fans for a number of reasons, including the sex scenes between the main characters, Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), notably shot from the "female gaze."
However, critics and fans noticed that season two has a distinct lack of these intimate scenes. The two new main lovers Anthony and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) do not even kiss until halfway through the season.
During a press conference for "Bridgerton" season two attended by Insider on March 21, Van Dusen said that they do not focus on the number of sex scenes when creating the show.
"We use these intimate scenes to tell a story and to push the story forward," He explained. "We've never done a sex scene for the sake of doing a sex scene, and I don't think we ever will. It all serves a larger purpose and it's a different story this season."
Van Dusen also told Deadline that this change does not make the series any less sexy.
"With regard to the sex, I think this season is incredibly sexy," Van Dusen said. "We're telling this fraught and charged and really steamy enemies-to-lovers love story and there's plenty of sexual tension on screen between Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley. It just builds and builds until we reach this really satisfying payoff. I'm really proud of it."
He continued: "The sex scenes of season two are just as steamy and just as likely to leave viewers hot and bothered and breathless as the ones in season one."
The cast also defended season 2's new direction when it comes to intimacy
During the press conference, Ashley and Bailey also added their opinion about the change.
Ashley said: "And it makes sense for these characters because they're so protective over their families and they're so truthful to their duties and responsibilities – so for them to break that wouldn't have made sense for the characters."
Bailey added: "Kate and Anthony feel explicit in the way that they feel naked in front of each other. I think that's also a very interesting, cerebral way of exploring that innate sexuality, and I think it bodes really well for the following seasons, to not just be... about sex."
Bailey has continued to defend his season of the show, telling USA Today on Wednesday: "It would have been wrong for Kate and Anthony to have got physical any sooner than they did. And I think the payoff is really earned."
However, not all fans are even upset about the change.
"Who needs sex scenes when you have eyesex like this," one fan tweeted.
Another said: "Woof, the slow burn on season 2 of #Bridgerton is better than 50 sex scenes, Jesus Christ.".
"Bridgerton" season two is now available to stream on Netflix.