FANS of Bridgerton are getting hot under the collar with just ten days until the second series starts.
But that’s nothing compared to the cast members.
8
8
The women have endured filming wearing giant wigs and agonising corsets.
And the period drama’s sizzling sex scenes saw semi-inflated netballs put to use.
Golda Rosheuvel told how, as Queen Charlotte, her hair pieces were so huge desperate measures were needed.
She said: “My neck was getting tired, so the crew made me a neck brace. At one point I had to have a people carrier to take me and my wig to set.
“We were taught how to curtsy, how to open doors and how women would sit.
“But it was hard to lounge around in a corset and I was double corseted — I had two of the f***ers.”
But when it came to the sex scenes on the Netflix show — which returns on March 25 — the actors faced a different set of challenges.
Leading man Jonathan Bailey, whose character Anthony Bridgerton falls for Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), told Radio Times they had an intimacy co-ordinator on set and had to raid the sports cupboard. He said: “There are new tricks to the trade — little cushions. It’s amazing what you can do with a half-inflated netball.
“If there are two people doing a sex scene, the rule is they must have three barriers separating them and there are certain acts where a half-inflated netball can allow for movement without having to connect physically.
“It’s pretty silly really and we have some hilarious moments. But it makes it less awkward.”
Yeah, doesn’t sound awkward at all, Jonathan . . .
Zara is back in the flesh
FORMER Love Islander Zara McDermott is looking relaxed as she heads back into a Mediterranean villa – because this time she’s swapping competing for hosting.
She is fronting BBC3’s Love In The Flesh, an experiment starting on Wednesday next week, in which a group of couples who have been dating online finally meet each other in person.
8
8
They will go into a Greek retreat where, over eight episodes, viewers will see if they get on once they have turned off their laptops. Zara will be there as a confidante and guide.
Given her career spike after leaving Love Island, the guys and girls taking part would be advised to pay attention.
Sinead’s a super sleuth
COLD case drama Unforgotten will return for a fifth series with Sinead Keenan partnering Sanjeev Bhaskar’s character, DI Sunny Khan.
His former crime-fighting partner, DCI Cassie Stuart played by Nicola Walker, died in a car crash during a dramatic finale to season four.
Sinead — who got her big break on BBC Three supernatural drama Being Human, with Russell Tovey and Aidan Turner — was recently seen in acclaimed BBC1 legal drama Showtrial, playing DI Paula Cassidy.
In ITV drama Unforgotten she heads up the Bishop Street unsolved crime team as DCI Jessica James — so it’s a nice promotion.
Boxout on right
DOMINIQUE WOOLF, the winner of C4’s The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver, last night clinched a publishing deal.
Her debut cookbook, Dominique’s Kitchen: Easy Everyday Asian-Inspired Food, will be out on June 9.
On wild juice chase?
CELEBRITY Juice is back on ITV2 and team captain Emily Atack has some ideas about potential guests.
Ahead of the show’s return on Thursday, March 24, Emily said: “I think Miriam Margolyes needs to come on. She is just incredible.
8
“Big Narstie was a guest for the first show back this series and had us all crying with laughter.
“I’d love to have Louis Theroux on my team because it’s Louis Theroux.”
But she’s less sure about having her mum — entertainer Kate Robbins — on.
Emily said: “She would be hilarious, no doubt. But I think there are too many adult toys and cat food flying around for parents to be involved.”
Sounds like a Health & Safety nightmare too.
Hyenas: a Beeb apology
AS if hyenas didn’t have a bad enough name already, along came The Lion King and their reputation was really in tatters.
The “henchmen” of Disney baddie Scar cemented a bad image for these African animals — just like the Seventies movie thriller Jaws did for sharks.
8
8
But now Sir David Attenborough is determined to salvage their image in Dynasties II.
A new series of the BBC1 nature show begins on Sunday and producer Simon Blakeney said: “For many years hyenas, in a similar way to sharks, have had a bad press in everything from wildlife films to children’s stories.
“However, there is so much more to their lives than the stereotype of cackling scavengers.
“What we hope we have shown in Dynasties is not only their sophisticated social lives, but also the softer side of their characters.”
Kate has a taste for love
COUNTRY girl Kate Humble was seduced by a globe artichoke — then fell in love over a cracking bit of cheese on toast.
The presenter revealed husband Ludo found the way to her heart through her stomach.
8
Kate told Radio Times: “He cooked me a globe artichoke, and it was incredibly seductive.
“But later, when he made me his version of cheese on toast, I knew this was the man I wanted to marry.
“You might think, as I used to, that cheese on toast is literally just some cheese on some toast.
“But Ludo’s has two secret ingredients — egg and Worcestershire sauce.
“Once you’ve mixed it up, it looks a bit like sick. But it tastes so good I’d probably marry anyone who could make it.
“In fact, if anyone can make better cheese on toast, I might have to marry them.”
Other animals featured in the four-part series are the puma, cheetah and elephant.
It’s fair to say they will be an easier sell.
