Netflix’s Regency period drama has gone through some highs and lows during its run, but which is the best season of Bridgerton?

Bridgerton fans are eagerly awaiting the second half of season four to arrive on Netflix.

The upcoming new episodes will finally reveal what happens between Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) after he asks her to be his mistress.

While viewers wait with bated breath, some have been rewatching the Netflix show. Here’s our ranking of all the seasons of Bridgerton from the worst to the best – and be warned, there will be spoilers.

Which is the best season of Bridgerton?

5. Bridgerton season 3

Despite pulling viewers in and bringing plenty of drama with the unmasking of Penelope Featherington as Lady Whistledown (played by Nicola Coughlan), season three’s friends-to-lovers romance didn’t quite land between the central leads.

There was also considerable time spent with the rest of the ton, which detracted from the main couple, making the season less impactful than it otherwise could have been.

If anything, Cressida Cowper’s (Jess Madsen) increasingly extravagant puff sleeves and Mama Featherington’s (Polly Walker) sex advice to a miffed Philippa Featherington (Harriet Cains) were highlights of season three.

In fact, they were even more memorable than Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope’s steamy carriage scene soundtracked to Lord Worldwide himself, Pittbull’s Give Me Everything.

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4. Brigderton season 2

Season two might had one of Bridgerton’s favourite couples – Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Ashley Simone) – however, the unnecessary love triangle involving an unwitting Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran) put a considerable damper on the otherwise lovely slowburn enemies-to-lovers romance.

Bridgerton really did Edwina dirty and depicted her as a naive girl who failed to clock her husband-to-be making eyes at her older sister. The wedding episode was a painful, protracted watch and added drama for the sake of it.

Season two was adapted from Julia Quinn’s The Viscount Who Loved Me, which had a far more solid plot without a love triangle and a savvy Edwina, who was far more self-aware than her onscreen iteration.

3. Bridgerton season 4

While it’s early days, season four of Bridgeton is shaping up to be one of the strongest, if not the best, seasons of the show to date.

The sizzling chemistry between leads Thompson and Ha makes them captivating and the show’s focus on the primary couple strengthens the season.

There’s also the upstairs-downstairs drama with the Maid Wars, which brings much-needed grit to Bridgerton and elevates it above just a frothy, sexy period fantasy.

This author is out until part two drops; however, depending on how season four concludes.

2. Bridgerton season 1

Season one is where it all started. The world was catapulted into Shondaland’s glossy, glamorous take on Quinn’s Regency romance novels in all its glory. From its diverse casting and dashing leads to its instrumental covers of pop bangers and steamy scenes, the world would never be the same again. Bridgerton single-handedly revolutionised the staid period drama genre for the better.

Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and Daphne Bridgerton’s (Phoebe Dynevor) romance, involving the fake-courting-to-falling-in-love trope, certainly hit hard.

Then there was the grit. Simon’s heartbreaking childhood, including overcoming his stammer, and his relationship with his cruel father. Daphne’s lack of sexual education, which reflected the time period, strengthened the narrative and made it stand out.

1. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

Falling between seasons two and three, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story serves as a prequel to the show rather than a full season.

Nonetheless, the limited series is very much part of the Bridgerton universe and brought a lot of context to the world presented, specifically the multicultural nature of the ton.

Penned by Shonda Rhimes herself and not an adaptation of one of Quinn’s novels, the series more than delivered when it came to telling a nuanced story of romance that drew on real-life elements.

The initially rocky romance between King George III (Corey Mylchreest) and Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio), due to his mental health issues, was fascinating and rarely depicted in period dramas.

Then there was the new queen’s race and the speculative fiction element of the story, with a young Lady Danbury (Arsema Thomas) warning Charlotte that she needed to ensure the Great Experiment was an undeniable success.

Not only were the three main stars Amarteifio, Thomas and Mylchreest fabulous as younger iterations of Bridgerton characters that fans have come to know and love, but there were also some brilliant scenes from the present timeline involving Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).

It appears that Shonda’s magic has ensured Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story wears the crown when it comes to Bridgerton.

Bridgerton season 4, part 2 will be released on Netflix on February 26

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Donald Trump says regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen” as a second US aircraft carrier is deployed to the Middle East.

The US president made the remarks after visiting troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina on Friday, where he was pressed by reporters on whether he wanted to see a change in government in Iran.

“It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” Mr Trump said.

“For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking.

“In the meantime, we’ve lost a lot of lives while they talk. Legs ‌blown off, arms blown off, faces blown off. We’ve been going on for a long time.”

Mr Trump declined to name who he hoped would assume control from the clerical regime, saying only “there are people”.

He said the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, was being sent to the Middle East in case talks between the US and Iran fail to produce an agreement.

“In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it,” he said.

“It’ll be leaving very soon.”

The USS Gerald R Ford reallocation forms part of a build-up of US military assets in the Middle East amid deepening tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying guided-missile destroyers were deployed last month.

Last week, US forces shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln on the same day that Iran tried to stop a US-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian and American officials met in Oman last week for talks, but an agreement has not been reached.

Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to take military action against Iran if the government uses force to suppress anti-regime protests.

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On Friday, Mr Trump suggested that a deal could still be struck with Iran to avoid US military action.

“Give us the deal that they should have given us the first time,” he said. “If they give us the right deal, we won’t do that.”

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that any US military action against the country would plunge the entire region into war.

Read more:
The price of speaking out against the Iranian regime
Trial date set for Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against BBC

More talks between Washington and Tehran are anticipated, with a US delegation including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner due to meet with the Iranians on Tuesday, sources have told Reuters.

Iran’s nuclear programme has also been a repeated source of tension, with Mr Trump suggesting that one of his top priorities was for Tehran to scale back its atomic programme.

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But on Friday he suggested that was only one aspect of the concessions the US expected from Iran.

“If we do it, that would be the least of the mission,” Mr Trump said about targeting Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Mr Trump in Washington this week for talks, has pushed for any deal to include steps to neutralise Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

The US targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities ⁠in strikes in June in the culmination of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.

There are two Six Nations matches on today, with another taking place on Sunday

We are into Six Nations round two weekend following an opening set of fixtures which whetted the appetite.

Last week saw France sweep aside Ireland in Paris, Italy edge past Scotland in a soaking wet Rome and England demolish Wales at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.

Those results have set the tone for another fascinating weekend of rugby, which kicks off with two games on Saturday and one on Sunday.

Here is all the information you need to know about this weekend’s games and how to watch.

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What Six Nations games are on this weekend?

TV channels are listed alongside each game.

ROUND TWO

Saturday, February 14

• Ireland v Italy – KO 2.10pm – ITV1
• Scotland v England – KO 4.40pm – ITV

Sunday, February 15

• Wales v France – KO 3.10pm – BBC1 and S4C

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Quotes corner

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: “It is the best Italian side coming to Dublin. As far as respect, you would be mad not to,” Farrell said of the challenge ahead.

“We have all watched the games of what has happened of the last year, six months, and the job that everyone is doing in Italy is fantastic and the respect is right at the forefront.

“Honestly, it is about us having more respect for ourselves this week.”

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada: “Nacho is a player of great value to the group both on and off the field, but in managing this team, the human side and family – from my point of view – will always be considered a priority.

“We discussed it with him, and the decision made is for the best. To be focused on your work, it is important to have peace of mind: in every area, with players and staff, we work with the people first and the professionals second.”

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: “It’s huge. It’s our biggest game of the season and it always has been.

“It’s even more important on the back of a disappointing defeat.

“We know our supporters are behind us, as they always are, and we’ll need their energy.”

England head coach Steve Borthwick: “I think Gregor Townsend is a wonderful coach. I was told recently that he has the best win record of any Scotland coach in the professional era. Sir Ian McGeechan had two spells and I think Gregor sits above that. The way he has coached the attack they have, and the way they move the ball, when they do that, they look terrific.

“I have immense respect for him as a coach and I find it surprising that people are not spending more time talking about Scotland rather than not supporting their coach. I think he’s a phenomenal coach and they should spend more time supporting him.”

Paul Withnell, 74, was jailed for 21 years after being convicted of a string of child sex offences dating back to the 1980s. He died at HMP Parc in Bridgend a few weeks after sentencing

A paedophile has passed away just weeks after being incarcerated for a series of horrific historical rapes.

Paul Withnell, a resident of Powys, was handed a 21-year prison sentence last month following his conviction on numerous counts of child sexual abuse dating back to the 1980s.

A representative for G4S, the private security behemoth that operates HMP Parc, confirmed that the 74 year old died at the category B prison in Bridgend on February 5. He had been locked up less than three weeks prior on January 16, with a Cardiff Crown Court judge remarking that he had displayed “not one single shred of remorse”.

“As with all deaths in custody this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, and the cause of death is for the coroner to determine,” stated the G4S spokesperson.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Nigel Fryer revealed that the offences occurred between 1981 and 1990 when Withnell was aged between 30 and 39. Withnell, from Broad Street, New Radnor, Presteigne, admitted to creating indecent images of a child but refuted other charges.

After an eight-day trial, he was found guilty of four instances of raping a girl under 16, six instances of gross indecency with a girl under 14, and eight instances of indecent assault of a girl under 16, reports Wales Online.

Police discovered 132 explicit photos of Withnell’s victim, leading the judge to conclude that the defendant had “little choice” but to confess to that crime. The court was informed that he had kept these images for several decades.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, the survivor revealed: “I’ve been left with lasting trauma and flashbacks. My innocence was ruined far too young and I was forced to live in a world for adults when I was too young.

“My sleep has always been very disrupted and my health has been affected. At times over the years I have become obsessive with my eating and over the last 11 months I have lost a lot of weight.”

Defence counsel Hywel Davies, speaking on behalf of Withnell, highlighted his client’s lack of prior convictions and ongoing health struggles. “It’s questionable whether he will ever be eligible for release,” he stated.

Delivering the sentence, Judge Eugene Egan addressed Withnell directly: “You caused unspeakable hardship, misery and upset and decades of emotional pain. Not one single shred of remorse has been shown by you.”

Judge Egan handed down a 21-year prison term to Withnell, two thirds of which must be served behind bars.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Christine Beaton praised the survivor’s courage, stating: “I want to commend the victim in this case for her bravery in coming forward to report these horrendous crimes. I understand that reporting crimes of this nature, particularly many years after they happened, can be especially daunting.

“The dignity and strength shown throughout the course of the investigation is testament to her resilience, bravery and determination to secure justice. Thanks to her support, and the diligent work of the investigation team, Withnell has finally been held to account for his vile actions.

“As Withnell faces his time in prison, I hope the victim in this case can take some solace in today’s outcome as she begins to move forward with her life. I hope this case reassures others that we will always take reports of sexual abuse incredibly seriously, no matter how recent or non-recent they may be.

“If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, please come forward. We are compassionate, capable, and committed to supporting you every step of the way.”

A source close to Ferguson is very clear that the only thing she should be blamed for is “a sort of financial incontinence”. And there might be some truth to this. For though her personal extravagance is legendary, Andrew Lownie writes in his biography Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York, that at one point Fergie had 17 staff including “a cook, driver, maid, butler, dresser, nanny, three secretaries, a personal assistant, lady-in-waiting, accountant and accountant’s assistant, two gardeners, a flower arranger, and dog walker.” As well as not one but two people to pick up after her dogs.

Ringleader Walid Saadaoui, 38, planned to shoot countless Jewish people at a march against antisemitism in Manchester before hijacking an ambulance and driving to kill yet more people.

But his plans unravelled after he was arrested in the car park of the Last Drop Village Hotel in Bromley Cross on May 8, 2024 with a car full of AK-47 assault rifles he had planned to use for his attack.

He did not know at the time that one of his co-conspirators, a man known only as “Farouk”, had been an undercover operative who had been monitoring his activities all along.

After having been found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism at a trial at Preston Crown Court last year, Saadaoui was brought back to court this week to learn his fate.

Harpreet Sandhu KC, prosecuting, said: “These defendants were prepared to kill several hundreds of people by using four high-powered, military-grade AK47 assault rifles, two handguns and more than 900 rounds of ammunition.”

He added: “The impact of that which was planned would have been profound, it would have been significant, and it would have been far-reaching.”

Saadaoui sat on the dock dressed in a plain white shirt and tie as Mr Sandhu laid the scale of the plot bare to a packed courtroom at Preston Crown Court.

Saadaoui and Hussein hoped to take part in a huge shooting plot (Image: GMP)

Not with him was his co-conspirator Amar Hussein, 52, who had been arrested at the place he lived and worked at Salim Appliances in Great Lever on the same day as Saadaoui in 2024.

But sat with Saadaoui was his younger brother Bilel, 37, who had been found guilty of failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism.

Mr Sandhu told the court that Saadaoui and Hussein planned to strike “in the heart of the Jewish community in Manchester”.

Saadaoui’s plans included carrying out “reconnaissance” in Jewish areas and joining Jewish community Facebook groups to look for targets.

One of the weapons they planned to use (Image: GMP)

Mr Sandhu quoted Amanda Bomsztyk of the Community Security Trust who said: “The ever-present risk of terrorist attacks posed by antisemitism means that very few Jewish communal events can take place without high-level security”.

Mr Sandhu said Saadaoui had “prepared for martyrdom” by making sure his family were taken care of financially and visiting his mother in Tunisia one last time.

The court heard how Saadaoui had been receiving advice from high-ranking ISIS members and had a key to the group’s safehouse off Chorley Old Road, where he planned to store the weapons.

But the deadly plan never came to pass thanks to undercover operative Farouk, who Saadaoui first met at Queens Park after communicating online and believed to be a fellow ISIS supporter.

Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein in a car (Image: GMP)

Farouk monitored Saadaoui and Hussein’s activities throughout and ensured that the guns they received had been deactivated.

After a lengthy trial last year Saadaoui, of Crankwood Road, Abram and Hussein, of no fixed abode, were both convicted by a jury of preparing acts of terrorism.

Younger brother Bilel, of Fairclough Street, Hindley was found guilty by majority verdict of failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism.

Walid Saadaoui was the ring leader of the plot (Image: GMP)

Dr Felicity Gerry KC, defending Saadaoui, said that “despite asking for weapons Mr Saadaoui was unable to source them without Farouk”.

She said that her client’s role was ultimately less than that of the undercover operative Farouk.

But Dr Gerry said: “Saadaoui had asked her to apologise on his behalf to the Jewish community and the “wider community at large”.

She said this for the antisemitic things he said in recordings of his conversations, though he still denied having prepared terrorist acts. 

Danny Robinson KC, for Hussein, says his client asked him to deliver no mitigation or submissions on his behalf.

Ali Naseem Bajwa KC, for Bilel Saadaoui, said he “had a general idea of terrorist activity” that involved a death and that something significant was going to happen on May 8, 2024.

He said there was “little or no risk” that the terror attack would have been carried out, given that the elder Saadaoui had been seemingly constantly monitored. 

Mr Bajwa told the court Bilel had no previous convictions, had positive character references and that he has “relatives very dear to him”.

But The Honourable Mr Justice Mark Wall reminded the defendants, including Hussein, who he said had shown his “cowardice” by not attending, how devastating the attack would have been.

He said: “I am sure that you intended to use AK47 Kalashnikov automatic weapons to launch a terror attack on the streets of Manchester.”

He added: “Your attack would have led to the deaths of people of all ages, including children.”

Mr Justice Wall said that Saadaoui and Hussein were both “fervent supporters of ISIS” and that their victims would have been “unarmed and defenceless”.

Walid Saadaoui, Amar Hussein and Bilel Saadaoui have all been jailed (Image: GMP)

He said: “Had you been successful in carrying out this plan, this would likely have been one of the deadliest terror attacks ever carried out on UK soil.”

Mr Justice Wall concluded Saadaoui and Hussein had been “very close” to being able to carry out their plan.

He said the date of it appeared to have been whenever the Jewish community of Greater Manchester held their latest march.

Saadaoui showed no visible reaction as Mr Justice Wall sentenced him to life in prison with a minimum term of 37 years.

The absent Hussein was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 26 years.

Bilel Saadaoui has also been jailed (Image: GMP)

Younger brother Bilel was jailed for six years and went down to the cells in silence.

Speaking outside court after the hearing, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: “Today’s sentencing brings a conclusion to one of the most significant terrorist plot disruptions we have seen in the UK for several years.

“Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein intended to target members of the Jewish community in an evil act born out of hate and intolerance.

“If they had been successful, then what followed would have been devastating and potentially one of the deadliest terrorist attacks to ever take place on UK soil.

Walid Saadaoui plotted to smuggle weapons to the UK (Image: GMP)

“Walid was the ringleader.

“Through conversations with an undercover operative, we know – in detail – the extremist views that he held. He was the driving force behind the plot and he recruited Hussein to join him.

“He claimed during the trial that he was merely paying lip service and actually intended to sabotage his own plot at the last minute. This account is FAR from the truth.

“In Hussein he found a like-minded individual who did not need to be convinced to join. Hussein spoke openly to detectives following his arrest about his support of ISIS and cast judgement on others who did not hold the same extremist views that he held.

“Walid also discussed the plot and the action he had been taking openly with his brother, Bilel.

Walid and Bilel Saadaoui (Image: GMP)

“Although Bilel was not an active participant in preparations for the plot, the fact he knew what was planned but chose to remain silent makes him as guilty as the others.

“Being aware of a plan to cause such devastation and knowing that you could act to prevent it, but choosing not to, is simply not good enough.

“Our overwhelming priority during this proactive operation was ensuring public safety and we never lost sight of that.

“Each decision we made was rooted in this principle and the operation was highly controlled and resourced throughout.

“It was important for us to build the strongest possible case to take these dangerous men off the streets for a significant period of time and protect the public from them long-term.

“As evidenced by the sentences passed today, we have achieved that.

“I want to thank all those involved in this operation. We’ve worked with colleagues across CT and local policing, partner agencies and community organisations. The scale of the operation has been huge, and we would not be here without everybody’s efforts.

“I’d also like to express my sincere gratitude to the undercover operative who put himself in significant danger each time he met with two would-be terrorists.

“At any point he could have become a target himself, but he risked his personal safety in the name of wider public protection.

“This case has taken place at a time of heightened concern and anxiety within the Jewish community.

“The trial began the week after the appalling terrorist attack that took place in Greater Manchester and concluded soon after the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney.

“We have worked closely with stakeholders, including the Community Security Trust, throughout proceedings to address any concerns and provide reassurance.

“We will continue to do so and we remain dedicated to making sure all communities feel safe from the threat of terrorism and bringing those who would seek to harm them to justice.

“I hope that the significant outcome from this highly resourced, proactive investigation underlines that commitment.”

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain is as much about animation as an artform as it is an adaptation of Belgian author Amélie Northomb’s book The Character of Rain (2000).

The French animated feature, co-directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, makes sophisticated use of animation style to interrogate the formation of the self in early childhood.

The film begins with Amélie telling us that she began as a god – a tube-like god – before being born into a “vegetative” state as a baby girl. After a spectacular time-lapse montage, Amélie recounts awakening as a toddler in the Kansai region of Japan in 1969 when an earthquake shocks her into being. This is her first true memory of being in the world.

All of this is shown through multiple transformations staged within carefully controlled contrasting colour schemes. Characters move in and out of Amélie’s life with their own colour palettes that refract through their surroundings, reinforcing Amélie’s understanding of them.

So, when Amélie’s Belgian grandmother visits and awakens her further by feeding Amélie white Belgian chocolate, she does so while wearing a cream-coloured outfit. The chocolate glows when Amélie eats it, and an animalistic Amélie transforms into a glowing little girl. Colour becomes one of Little Amélie’s key pleasures, amplifying themes and character interactions alike.

The uses of such contrasting and reflective colour become central to the film’s storytelling, providing a narrative framework that mirrors Amélie’s comprehension of the world.

These careful uses of colour build in importance through a series of transformations and magical moments that illustrate Amélie’s emerging stages of selfhood. Amélie’s god-like powers persist as she affects her environment, whether mundanely blowing on the surface of a pond or magically parting the sea when her family goes to the beach. And Amélie is affected by her surroundings in turn, changing shape, size and at one point transforming into raindrops during a downpour.

More than this, Vallade and Han place Amélie at the visual centre of the film, positioning shots from her point of view and at her level. In doing so they allow audiences to spend time alongside Amélie, revisiting their own childhoods.

Amélie’s explorations of her world – running through her home, feeding carp, or playing with spinning tops – all bring us visually into her worldvieww. This alignment between us and the film’s little protagonist make her moments of existential turmoil all the more compelling, especially when she learns her family is to leave her haven in Japan to return to Belgium.

Such moments hint at the philosophy underpinning the film’s narrative. Amélie is aligned with not just rain, but also the natural world, echoing the work of animation greats like Hayao Miyazaki. But, even while Amélie finds refuge in nature, in her darkest moment she desires a return to its most primordial form.

Little Amélie is also about connections across cultures. The connection between Amélie and the world are most explicit when her family’s housekeeper, Nishio, teaches Amélie how to write her name in Japanese. Nishio explains “You are the rain”, and teaches Amélie that part of her name, “Amé”, means rain in Japanese. They write the symbol together in condensation on a windowpane. This act reveals to Amélie what she sees as an immediate, inherent connection to Japanese culture. But, as this sequence foreshadows, Amélie’s understanding of herself as Japanese is as tenuous and fleeting as her imagination of herself as a tube.

Culture takes on a negative hue when lingering wartime resentments cause conflict between the loving Nishio and the family’s cold landlady, Kashima. When Nishio explains how she lost her family during the second world war firebombing of Kobe, the carrots being dropped into stew transform into bombs dropping while the washing of rice stands in for Nishio’s experience of being buried by the explosion that killed her family.

It is Nishio, too, who guides Amélie into the lantern festival that is used to celebrate those lost in the war (much to Kashima’s angry dismay). Without schooling to guide her, Nishio becomes Amélie’s conduit into culture, expanding her world beyond the haven of home. Nishio and Amélie develop a shared experience and understanding of Japan in these moments, framed with beautiful seasonal Japanese gardens and traditional shrines as well as the family home. As a result, the film lingers on how our identities in childhood are a product of our connections.

Through the exaggeration and amplification of these connections, Vallade and Han’s Little Amélie produces a story that reaches for metaphysical heights, even as it remains true to the small scale and scope of Amélie’s childhood world. It is the character of the film’s animation – its shifting scales, uses of colour and predilection for transformation – that reveal Amélie to audiences, making her, not a god, but a guide back to our own childhood experiences of the world.

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