In the world of Bridgerton, all the gentlemen look perfect on the outside. But don’t be fooled because scandal has a funny way of creeping into even the most well-mannered households. The Bridgerton men, along with their Featherington counterparts, seem to attract drama like bees to honey. Whether it’s the love triangles, or the fake fortunes, or secret duels at dawn, the ton always finds a reason to talk — and Lady Whistledown always finds a way to write about them.
We are ranking the mildly scandalous to the utterly chaotic here. We have got every Bridgerton man (and a few unfortunate Featheringtons) ranked by the messes they found themselves tangled in.
6. Lord Featherington (Archibald Featherington)
Portrayed By: Ben Miller
The late Lord Featherington’s scandal was less about passion and more about poor decisions — a man who could gamble away an empire and still look smug about it. Before his untimely death, Archibald had managed to dig a financial grave so deep even the Queen herself couldn’t have thrown him a rope. His gambling habits drained the Featherington fortune, leaving Portia Featherington and her daughters with more debt than dignity. Lord Featherington could lose a fortune faster than a card dealer could say “your turn.”
His death didn’t clear his name either — if anything, it marked it in gossip history. The ton whispered of his debts. They told his secrets and talked about the fortune that vanished with him. He lost his family’s respectability in one reckless swoop.
Portia was left to clean up the mess, and in doing so, learned that desperation often breeds new scandal. Archibald became kind of a villain, and his biggest legacy wasn’t wealth or wisdom, but the chaos he left behind.
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5. Jack Featherington
Portrayed By: Rupert Young
Just when the Featheringtons thought their troubles had died with Archibald, in walked Cousin Jack. Charming, mysterious, and supposedly rich, he arrived like a savior with grand tales of wealth from the Americas. By that time, Portia Featherington had suffered enough humiliation thanks to Lady Whistledown’s sharp tongue (or pen in this case). So, to her, Jack seemed like a lifeline.
Determined to restore her family’s name, Portia plotted to match her daughter Prudence with Cousin Jack, conveniently ignoring that the ton considered cousin marriages questionable at best. She was so focused on social climbing that she missed the most important detail — Jack’s fortune was as real as a painted diamond.
Meanwhile, poor Penelope Featherington was in an impossible position. As Lady Whistledown, she had to report on her family’s scandal without actually destroying them. She couldn’t ignore the story. The Featheringtons’ reputation was already dangling by a thread. But she also couldn’t expose too much truth. When it was revealed that Cousin Jack was penniless and running a fraudulent scheme, the family’s fragile facade completely crumbled.
For Portia, it was yet another social disaster. For Penelope, it was a reminder that truth and self-preservation rarely go hand in hand — especially when one’s secret identity is involved. Cousin Jack had riches in words but not a single coin to show for them.
4. Colin Bridgerton
Portrayed By: Luke Newton
Colin Bridgerton has always been the sunshine boy of the ton. He is charming, kind, and occasionally, hopelessly naive. But even good men find themselves in sticky situations. And our dearest Colin’s reputation took a hit when he got caught in the middle of the Marina Thompson scandal.
Marina, pregnant by another man, hoped Colin would marry her. Why? Well, to protect her reputation. She played her cards beautifully. Colin was smitten and unsuspecting. He proposed without knowing the full story. When the truth broke, it shattered not only Colin’s heart but also his social standing for a while. Lady Whistledown had a field day. The ton whispered endlessly — not only about Marina’s deception, but also about Colin’s foolishness.
And just when he thought he was done with scandal, his relationship with Penelope Featherington added more fuel. The ton raised eyebrows over their private carriage rides. They did not take well to the long unchaperoned conversations, either. What might have been innocent in spirit was far from it in perception. In their world, a single whisper could ruin reputations — and Penelope’s double life made it all the more dangerous.
Through it all, Colin learned his lesson. He learned that even the kindest hearts can’t escape gossip. Love in the world of Bridgerton should be done carefully. You never know who happens to be watching.
3. Simon Basset (The Duke of Hastings)
Portrayed By: Regé-Jean Page
Simon Basset is the brooding Duke who made half the ton swoon. But he wasn’t immune to scandal either. In season 1, his and Daphne Bridgerton’s romance erupted. And it happened so fast that the entire social circuit nearly fainted from the shock. One moment, the two were just exchanging glances. Next, they were rushing to the altar after a duel between Simon and Anthony Bridgerton forced their hand.
Lady Whistledown, of course, suspected the worst. A sudden marriage between the Duke and the “Diamond of the First Water”? That could only mean one thing! Indiscretion. The Queen’s approval had given their union legitimacy. But whispers continued long after the wedding bells stopped ringing.
Their troubles did not end there. Simon’s personal struggle and his vow never to have children because of his painful past painted a real picture. Their marriage became both a love story and a scandal survival guide. They taught the ton (and the audience) that love doesn’t always conform to society’s expectations. But one thing is for sure: if Simon’s brooding looks could kill gossip, Lady Whistledown would have been out of business.
2. Benedict Bridgerton
Portrayed By: Luke Thompson
Now, Benedict Bridgerton. The artist, the dreamer, the rule-breaker. His scandals are of a more modern flavor. They are rooted in self-expression rather than societal disgrace. For seasons, fans speculated about his sexuality, reading between glances and scenes that hinted at a freer, more fluid heart. And finally, the show confirmed what many had long sensed — Benedict’s story was one of bisexuality and discovery.
In the Regency world of Bridgerton, such revelations would be very scandalous. The viewers, though, thought differently. To them, it felt like long-overdue honesty. At one point, Benedict was this close to being outed. The ton started talking after a few too many observant eyes caught him enjoying the company of a male artist at one of those famously wild soirées. Nothing was ever said outright, but the rumors traveled fast. Sometimes even faster than a Lady Whistledown column on printing day.
For the Regency world, it was a near scandal. For modern audiences, it was a moment of truth. But make no mistake, Benedict’s rebellion against convention — from his art-school adventures to his unconventional social circles — makes him one of the most intriguing Bridgertons. He doesn’t duel or deceive. But the man lives with a kind of boldness. His attitude makes even the most traditional aristocrats whisper.
His story is far from over, though. The next season will explore him more deeply. The ton may want to brace itself for more juicy gossip. Benedict’s only real scandal till now? Being too fabulous for 19th-century London.
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1. Anthony Bridgerton
Portrayed By: Jonathan Bailey
And then there’s Anthony Bridgerton. The Viscount, the eldest, and the reigning monarch of mischief disguised as duty. Anthony’s life has been one long duel between responsibility and desire, and the ton has enjoyed every second of it.
In season one, Anthony’s love affair with opera singer Siena Rosso caused endless gossip. He was neglecting his duties, rejecting every suitor for his sister Daphne, and spending nights at the opera. The Viscount wasn’t exactly the portrait of a perfect gentleman.
By season two, Anthony’s chaos took a new form. Determined to marry for duty rather than love, he set his sights on Edwina Sharma. She was the “diamond” of the season. It would have been the perfect union. But there was one small complication: he fell in love with her sister, Kate. The tension was boiling between the two. Glances were too long, banter was too sharp, chemistry too impossible to ignore.
When Edwina discovered the truth during her own wedding ceremony, she walked away, leaving the ton to choke on the gossip. Lady Whistledown’s next issue practically wrote itself. Two families nearly ruined, one wedding in shambles, and a Viscount whose heart couldn’t follow the rules.
Despite it all, Anthony and Kate’s eventual marriage became one of Bridgerton’s greatest romances. It was messy, fiery, and deeply human. Because for all his arrogance, Anthony’s biggest scandal wasn’t that he loved too little — it’s that he loved too deeply and too inconveniently.
At the end of the day, would we even want a Bridgerton season without a little chaos? Probably not. The ton would be bored — and Lady Whistledown would be out of work.
The Bridgerton men really do know how to keep Lady Whistledown busy. It’s like they can’t help but jump into a scandal every season. But do tell us, which one had you the most entertained? Drop your favorite in the comments!
You can now stream all three seasons of the show Bridgerton on Netflix.
