Plus, Thompson reveals just how fun it was to film those opium scenes.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I felt very much that they made Benedict more romantic this season than the first.
Was that something you wanted to strive for, pointing towards him getting his eventual love story?
Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton.Liam Daniel/Netflix
LUKE THOMPSON:Definitely.
He just leans in the background and smirks and just lets himself be pulled along.
This season, you get to see a little chink in the armor.
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton.LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX
But also you only get a little taste of it.
That’s a credit for the writing.
Can you tell me more about filming that with Luke Newton and what that experience was like?
It’s such a gorgeous moment.
I thought, “Yeah, that’s very Bridgerton.”
The main notes we kept getting was rein it back, pull it back.
Because there’s something about maintaining yourself in that state for about eight, 10 hours.
It’s a real memory I’ll treasure, actually.
What’s so brilliant about that moment is I didn’t know it was coming.
The irony being that then brings Benedict back to his family.
How does it shape or change his relationship to them and his art?
In season 1 and 2, he has shared it with his family or been quite open about it.
The likelihood is that Benedict, he’s a little too much of a mystery to himself.
I just need to work on whatever it is I’ve got.
That’s Benedict’s journey as well.
Benedict is someone who’s really gone along [with things].
We saw him have this affair with another artist this year.
It is safe to say his relationship with Madame Delacroix is completely over at this point?
It will depend where it all takes us.
I couldn’t possibly speculate.
I couldn’t possibly say because I don’t know where the story is leading.
How important do you think she is to his self-concept and happiness?
So, they can only understand each other up to a point.
Benedict is the most bohemian of the Bridgertons, and that has also fed speculation he could be queer.
What do you make of that?
Is that something you’d want to explore more?
What I would say is that we’re only in season 1 and just getting into season 2.
If I had an opinion on that, I would be one foot in and one foot out.
I just need to go on the journey that they put me on.
If we’re continuing to follow the books, his romance would be the heart of season 3.
Have you received any direction on that?
Is it safe to assume that will be the case?
That’s partly the pleasure of watching the show.
So, I don’t know.
As long as Benedict keeps being explored, I’m happy.
Benedict, as he is on the show, feels the silliest and most good-natured of the brothers.
You know your place within that family, and then suddenly, you’re almost slightly redefining yourself.
It’s a lesson in probably being a little less agreeable and a little less adjustable than Benedict is.
I feel humble in the face of it.
Rege licked the spoon.
Now we have Jonny falling in the lake.
Do you have a wish-list for what your big thirst moment should be?
Oh, I don’t know, and maybe that’s where I am like Benedict.
I’m up for anything.
Whatever they want to throw at me, I’ll make it work.
Maybe some combo of licking cutlery while you fall in a lake.
I can combine all of them.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
