WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Bridgerton Season 2, now streaming on Netflix.
Edwina Sharma steps out of a non-conventional love triangle and into the beginning of a new chapter of her story by the end of Bridgerton Season 2. Edwina develops beyond a character that could be brushed aside as a plot device in a gradual shift of perspective. Instead, she evolves into a woman who cannot be contained by the Diamond-shaped mold she is meant to fill. Edwina does so through the persistence to reclaim her destiny and make her own bold decisions about life and love. At times, that journey is heartbreaking, but it is ultimately fulfilling and sets up her narrative for future Bridgerton seasons.
Bridgerton is a romance series that debuted on Netflix in 2019. It takes inspiration from Julia Quinn's romance novels that chronicle the love stories of the Bridgerton siblings . Season 1 follows Daphne Bridgerton's romance with Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, as in Quinn's The Duke & I. Season 2 sees Anthony Bridgerton find a love match after an enemies-to-lovers arc with Kate Sharma (Edwina's older sister), like in Quinn's The Viscount Who Loved Me. In both the book and the series, Edwina gets wrapped up in Anthony and Kate's romance because Anthony courts Edwina to avoid a love match, and Kate wants more for her sister.
For most of the season, Edwina's genuine interest in Anthony gets swallowed by the evident and undeniable tension between him and Kate. Even then, her feelings for Anthony aren't unwarranted, considering Edwina's extensive lessons on how to find a "perfect" match. Subsequently, there's no denying Edwina is the perfect Diamond on paper. It's an excellent bookend for Bridgerton Season 2 to start with Whistledown demanding Queen Charlotte (and the ton) see Edwina (and other women) as more than a Diamond and end it with Edwina breaking that mold. Its gradual process lets Edwina become an individual.
The status of the season's Diamond doesn't necessarily afford that, which Daphne comments on in Season 1. Anthony's initial perception of Edwina proves that. In "Capital R Rake," he prepares to propose to Edwina after a single dance because of her newly bestowed title, but Edwina's comment about her father having passed away snaps Anthony out of his emotionless trance. Edwina becomes someone who has been where he's been and has feelings similar to the ones he has. Then, Anthony's brother Benedict tries to crack Anthony's perception in "Off to the Races" when Anthony describes Edwina as "what" he wants rather than "whom."
It's one thing for Anthony to eventually recognize Edwina as someone who should make her own decisions. The series knows it's entirely different for that realization to strike Kate. Kate's tunnel vision to find Edwina a love match that falls into the parameters to grant their family financial and social security doesn't leave much room for Edwina. It's a complex dynamic Bridgerton follows to the very end with careful consideration. Kate's fierce protection of her younger sister unconsciously steps on Edwina's autonomy and hinders her own. Edwina's reclamation of her future creates space for her and her sister to be true to themselves.
It's always fascinating when an older sibling confronts the truth that they could learn something from their younger sibling. Anthony admits to as much with Benedict in Season 2, and Kate has similar moments with Edwina. Edwina is brave and bold in how she stands up for herself despite the potential scandalous side effects of doing so. She knows what she deserves, values her expectations and refuses to betray herself. That's no small feat for any woman but especially a woman in the Regency era. Edwina vows to make her way in society how she sees fit and that independence can be inspiring. In fact, it can be everything.
As it turns out in Bridgerton Season 2, it is everything, and it's powerful to watch some of the ton's most notable women stand behind Edwina's decision. Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton know the fate of the wedding with Anthony should be in Edwina's hands. Even Queen Charlotte voices the importance of making one's own choices regarding love and doubles down in choosing Edwina as the season's Diamond. Most notably, Edwina teaches her older sister that it's okay to be true to oneself in whatever that may mean. However daunting, Edwina teaches Kate that it's okay to follow one's heart and shine.
Edwina becomes more than a symbolic Diamond and steps into her shine as those tables turn. Edwina may not end the season with a love match, but she ends it with something more -- newfound confidence and love for herself. It stems directly from her candor, her character and her true accomplishments, as Whisteldown writes it should in "Capital R Rake." Within itself, that is no small victory. Plus, it sets up a bright future for Edwina on Bridgerton. After all, if Queen Charlotte has any say, Bridgerton may see a love match for Edwina and a specific Prince soon. Until then, Edwina Sharma will undoubtedly do more than simply sparkle.