Downton Abbey meets Bridgerton: ITV’s Belgravia: The Next Chapter is the Sunday tonic we all need

Is there anything more satisfying than hunkering down with a period drama on a Sunday night? Admittedly, it’s been a while since we were blessed with a good one, but thankfully, ITV’s Belgravia: The Next Chapter is here to drastically improve things. A cross between Downton Abbey and Bridgerton, it’s just the Sunday tonic we all need right now.

A follow-up to the Julian Fellowes-penned drama Belgravia, which aired in 2020, the new series is written by Helen Edmundson (with Fellowes' blessing!) and tells the love story of Frederick Trenchard and Clara Dunn - along with the scandals from the past that threaten the couple's newfound happiness. Picking up 30 years after the events of the first series, time may have passed – but if you’re familiar with the series, you’ll know that secrets can never truly be forgotten.

As we await the show’s arrival on our screens this weekend, here’s everything you need to know about the series – and why it's well worth a watch...

What happened in Belgravia series 1?

Based on Julian Fellowes’ 2016 novel of the same name and adapted by the man himself, the first series of the period drama was packed full of drama, secrets and lies. It began at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball, which was held in Brussels for the Duke of Wellington on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

There, we met James (Philip Glenister) and Anne Trenchard (Tamsin Greig), as well as their young daughter Sophia (Emily Reid) who caught the eye of Edmund Bellasis (Jeremy Neumark Jones). Edmund was the son of one of the most prominent (and richest) families in England - and his and Sophia's connection was somewhat electric.

In case you haven’t seen the first series, we won’t give away any spoilers, but after quite the plot twist, we met the Trenchards (not all of them, however) 26 years later in 1841. The two families were now settled in the fashionable area of Belgravia – but the events of the ball, and the secrets, still resonated - and long-buried events soon began to resurface.

What will happen in Belgravia: The Next Chapter?

The new eight-part series will pick up in Belgravia, 1871, where we meet the eligible Lord Frederick Trenchard (Benjamin Wainwright) - the product of an affair that occurred in the first series - and follow his love story. When he meets the bewitching Clara Dunn (Harriet Slater) - a newcomer to London society - they fall deeply in love, but love is never quite that simple, is it?

According to the official synopsis, "a romantic courtship and proposal follow, and Clara is swept off her feet. But there are hidden depths to Frederick; he carries trauma from his childhood, following years of emotional neglect and resentment from his father, who favoured the younger son, James (Toby Regbo).

"Clara is highly perceptive, quickly realising there is trauma at the heart of Frederick’s guarded manner. She grows convinced that by fixing Frederick’s relationship with his estranged brother, she can also restore his happiness.

"In the midst of her plans she starts to develop an unlikely friendship with the charming Dr Ellerby (Edward Bluemel) and is drawn into his bohemian world. Excited by the passionate way they live, Clara begins to question her place in the world. Clara and Frederick must chart a course through the rumours which threaten them, and confront long-buried secrets as they search for lasting happiness."

Talking about her inspiration for the series, writer and creator Helen Edmundson has described the series as a real passion project. "I’m really passionate about Victorian literature, and particularly the heroines of that period," she says. "I really love those courageous, spirited women that crop up. I was delighted to be asked to create a story –particularly about a young woman in that time – involved in this intensely romantic and difficult relationship."

She also shared that Julian Fellowes gave her his blessing to follow her instincts on the series. "There were obviously certain things that we talked about very early on in the process, in terms of pinning down what the DNA of Belgravia was," she says. "And then working with [the production company] Carnival is just a complete pleasure. They have been extremely supportive, right from the start. Gareth [Neame] had said to me,"You have complete freedom, but let’s keep those wonderful ingredients that worked so well in the first series", so I landed on 1871 which worked in terms of Frederick’s age - when we pick up he’s approaching 30."

Who's starring in Belgravia: The Next Chapter?

The cast of Belgravia: The Next Chapter includes:

• Harriet Slater as Clara Trenchard née Dunn
• Benjamin Wainwright as Frederick Trenchard
• Edward Bluemel as Dr Stephen Ellerby
• Toby Regbo as Reverend James Trenchard
• Hannah Onslow as Emily Dunn
• Sophie Thompson as Mrs Dunn
• Lauren McQueen as Nell
• Claude Perron as Marquise D’Etagnac
• Miles Jupp as the Duke of Rochester
• Sophie Winkleman as the Duchess of Rochester
• Elaine Cassidy as Davison

Is Belgravia any good?

If you enjoy a good period drama, Belgravia and it's follow-up Belgravia: The Next Chapter are well worth a watch. It's a Downton Abbey-esque series, but it's even more fun (think Bridgerton vibes) and a lot more scandalous!

How can I watch Belgravia: The Next Chapter?

All eight episodes of Belgravia: The Next Chapter will be available to stream on ITVX from Sunday 9th March. In the meantime, the first series of Belgravia is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ for a fee. Happy binge-watching!