Netflix and Shondaland just announced Oscar winner Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) has committed to a voice role in the untitled Bridgerton series. Andrews will provide the voice of Lady Whistledown in the series adapted from Julia Quinn’s bestselling Bridgerton novel series.
Netflix offered this description of Lady Whistledown: “Anonymous to readers, this mysterious, sharp-tongued gossip writer uses a curious mix of social commentary and scathing insult to send the season of 1813’s ton into an all-out frenzy.”
Season one is expected to premiere in 2020. Created by Chris Van Dusen, the untitled series’ first season will consist of eight one-hour episodes. Van Dusen, Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal), and Betsy Beers are executive producing.
Julie Andrews has been keeping busy with her Julie’s Greenroom preschool series as well as lending her voice to animated projects including the Despicable Me and Shrek film franchises. In October 2003 she launched the Julie Andrews Collection which has released over 25 books thus far.
In addition to three Oscar nominations (winning once), Andrews has won multiple Golden Globes and Emmys. She also earned a BAFTA award (Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles), a Grammy (Best Recording for Children, Mary Poppins), and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
Bridgerton is set in the sexy, lavish and competitive world of Regency London high society. From the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair to the aristocratic palaces of Park Lane and beyond, the series unveils a seductive, sumptuous world replete with intricate rules and dramatic power struggles, where no one is truly ever on steady ground.
At the heart of the show is the powerful Bridgerton family. Comprised of eight close-knit siblings, this funny, witty, daring and clever group must navigate the upper ten thousand’s marriage mart in search of romance, adventure and love.