- This page is about the Netflix character. For the book character, see Edwina Bagwell
Edwina Sharma is the younger half-sister of Kate Bridgerton and the daughter of Mary Sharma.
History[]
Born in Bombay, India, Edwina grew up with parents that met in a scandalous way. Her mother, a debutante and earl's daughter, ran away from England to marry her lower class, shopkeeper father who already had a daughter of his own. Edwina's mother raised Kate alongside Edwina.
After the death of Edwina's father, Kate reached out to Edwina's grandparents and they agreed to provide a dowry so long as Edwina married a suitable Lord.
This prompted the women to return to London for the 1814 social season.
1814 Social Season[]
Lady Danbury hosted the Sharmas for the season as her special guests. When they arrived, Kate said she wasn't looking to court and instead was focused on finding a respectable match for Edwina. Edwina told Kate she hoped to marry a titled man, but Kate wanted Edwina to find someone she truly loved.
They attended Lady Danbury's ball, the first of the season, and were introduced to many members of the ton and the queen. Edwina danced with a few gentlemen with Kate's approval. However, their night ended early when Kate decided she wanted to leave after a confrontation with Anthony Bridgerton.
At the queen's ball, Edwina was named the season's diamond, which attracted lots of attention for her. She danced with Anthony, who asked her questions to determine if she was a good match for him. He asked to speak to her father, but she said her father was dead and he needed her sister's blessing. Kate took Edwina's arm and led her away, warning her not to go near Anthony.[2]
Royal Races and Lady Danbury's Soiree[]
Desperate to keep her away from Anthony, Kate compiled a list of suitable matches for Edwina. When Lady Danbury and Mary questioned it, Edwina said she believed in the list if Kate did.
Edwina and Kate then welcomed many suitors. While Edwina was speaking to Lord Lumley, Anthony arrived and asked to take Edwina to the races. Kate said she already had an escort and perhaps would be free in December, if she wasn't married by then.
Edwina attended the Royal Races with Lord Lumley as planned. Their time together was interrupted by Anthony, who used his family's closeness to try to charm her. Anthony then got Lumley out of the way by suggesting that a gentleman would get the ladies some refreshments. While Lumley was gone, Anthony took the seat between Edwina and Kate. They chatted happily as they waited for the race to start.
After the race was over, Edwina said one of the horses reminded her of a horse she used to adore, so Anthony took her down to see the horse up close. Soon afterward, Kate came to them and pulled Edwina way, telling her they were leaving as she had learned that Anthony had lied in order to get more time with Edwina.
Later, at the queen's castle, Edwina defended Anthony to Kate, saying he just wanted to spend time with her and Kate didn't give him any other way to do it. The queen then showed them her many exotic animals and warned Edwina that people would try to sabotage her because she was the diamond. She asked Edwina to tell her if anyone did that so she could stop them.
With Edwina's many suitors, Lady Danbury decided to throw a soiree so she could get to know all of them better. While they were talking about that, they heard a noise outside, where Anthony was waiting with a horse he'd gotten for Edwina. Edwina thanked him, but said she preferred smaller animals and the horse she'd mentioned before was from a book.
At the soiree, Edwina watched as many suitors showed off their talents in their attempts to woo her. Last of all was Anthony, who hadn't been invited to the soiree, but attended anyway. He started reciting a poem, but then admitted that he hadn't written it. He told Edwina all that he could offer her. Edwina said he was a gentleman for being honest and went to talk to him.[3]
Visit to Aubrey Hall[]
Edwina and her family were invited to come to Aubrey Hall earlier than the other guests because of Edwina and Anthony's relationship. Edwina was hopeful that by the time everyone else arrived, she would have secured a proposal. At Aubrey Hall, they met Daphne, who thought Kate was Edwina after watching Kate and Anthony interact.
The next day, Edwina and Kate joined the Bridgerton siblings in a game of Pall-Mall. While Kate jumped in and played in the competitive spirit of the Bridgertons, Edwina was more timid and eventually left the game when her ball went into some bushes.
That night, while talking to Kate, Edwina said she was sure a proposal was coming. However, by the next evening, Anthony still hadn't proposed, leaving Edwina disappointed and worried she'd done something wrong. Kate reassured her, saying she was the season's diamond and had choices if Anthony didn't work out.[4]
As other guests began to arrive at Aubrey Hall, Edwina was upset because she believed she would be celebrating her engagement by then. She believed Anthony hadn't proposed because of Kate and wanted the two of them to spend time together and learn to get along.
Edwina tried to force the two of them together and ultimately succeeded in getting Kate to accompany Anthony and some other men on a hunt. While they were gone, Edwina played cards with Daphne, Mary, and Lady Danbury. While they played, they talked and Edwina asserted that she knew what she wanted in a match and that was Anthony, but Daphne looked skeptical.
When Kate returned from the hunt, she told Edwina that things went well and she expected things between her and Anthony to progress much more quickly.
At the ball, Edwina danced with Anthony. When the dance was over, Edwina asked Kate if she was prepared to give her blessing and then set the two of them up to dance. Edwina was surprised when Anthony left the dance floor after the dance ended and asked Kate where he went. Kate just said she'd go find him.
The next day, as they prepared to leave, Edwina was disappointed and told Kate that Anthony's feelings must just not be there as he hadn't proposed. But then Anthony surprised her by coming out of the house and proposing. She happily accepted.[5]
Wedding Planning[]
Edwina and Anthony met with the queen. Anthony said he wanted a modest family affair, which disappointed Edwina. The queen said that wouldn't do and offered to host it herself as she'd brought the two of them together in the first place. Edwina was overjoyed at the idea of a large, fancy wedding.
Edwina went to the modiste for her wedding dress. As she was fitted, she spoke dreamily about her hopes for the wedding and her future in London.
Later, Edwina went on a walk with Anthony. On the walk, they saw Kate walking with Thomas Dorset and Edwina said they made a lovely couple. She hoped Dorset would convince Kate to stay in England. They talked to Kate and Dorset, and Edwina tried to get Kate to agree to stay. After helping Kate out of the boat, Anthony tripped over Newton and fell into the water, along with Dorset. Edwina and Kate both stared as they climbed back out, giggling at the accident.
As they prepared for the arrival of Lord and Lady Sheffield, Edwina was excited to meet them. The Sheffields were also delighted to meet Edwina, though they were cold to Mary and Kate, even when Edwina credited Kate for introducing her to opera. At dinner, the Sheffields invited Edwina and Anthony to their home. Things became tense when the Sheffields talked about Mary rejecting their match for her and robbing them of a relationship with their grandchild. Mary corrected them that she had two children and they had every opportunity to have a relationship, but they chose to shun her instead. Then they revealed the trust fund they set up for Edwina, shocking Edwina and Mary. Edwina confronted Kate, asking what they were talking about. Finally, Anthony brought the conversation to a halt. He complimented Mary's work raising her daughters and demanded that the Sheffields leave. Once they left, Anthony left with his mother, while Edwina left, angry at Kate for lying to her.
Kate found Edwina later and Edwina expressed her hurt that Kate didn't tell her about the Sheffields' offer. She felt she was old enough to make her own decisions. She said that if Anthony could forgive them, the Sheffield fortune wouldn't matter, and Anthony would provide for Mary and Kate. Kate didn't want Edwina to have the burden, but Edwina said it wouldn't be a burden to marry the man she loves. Kate asked if Edwina loved Anthony and she said she did because he defended her family so nobly. She was ready to be his wife and viscountess, if he could forgive them.[6]
Aborted Wedding[]
The night before her wedding to Anthony, which he had moved up on Kate's request, Edwina had her Haldi ceremony. At the ceremony, she told her mother and sister how excited she was to be getting married. She did express that she wished she could be certain that Anthony truly loved her because he didn't look at her enough, but Kate said that true love was more than looking at her.
The next day, as Edwina got ready for the wedding, Kate gave Edwina her mother's wedding bangles to wear. Edwina accepted them, but later told Kate she couldn't wear them because they'd been kept for Kate and she should wear them instead.
Mary escorted Edwina down the aisle as the ceremony started. Just as Anthony prepared to repeat his vows, one of the bangles slipped off Kate's wrist, distracting him. He bent down to hand back to Kate. Edwina witnessed this and when the archbishop went to resume, Edwina stopped him and ran out of the church, followed by Mary and Kate.
Mary tried to tell Edwina it was just nerves, but Edwina said it was more than that. She confronted Kate, saying she knew Kate had feelings for Anthony. Kate tried to deny it, but Edwina knew and was angry at Kate for keeping it from her. Mary consoled Edwina and sent Kate away.
Anthony came to see Edwina, who told him she was still considering whether or not she would go forward with the wedding. Anthony said he was intent on going through with it. Edwina asked what role Kate would play between them in the future and Anthony said she wouldn't, as she would return to India and no longer part of their lives. All she had to do was decide to marry him. Edwina knew it would be a scandal if she didn't, but that wasn't enough for her.
Next, Kate came to see Edwina. Kate apologized to Edwina, but told her she'd promised to make sure Mary and Edwina were cared for, and she would do anything for Edwina. Edwina wasn't sure if it hurt more to be betrayed or pitied, but Kate didn't see it as her doing either. Edwina told Kate that she was a grown woman who could make her own decisions and if she decided to marry Anthony, it would be for herself only.
Edwina then went to see the queen. Her mother and Lady Danbury were also there. They all wanted to know if Edwina was going to marry Anthony. Before she could answer, the king came in, having been delighted by the fireworks and wondering if they would be more. When he became agitated over the footmen trying to take him back to bed, Edwina stepped up and calmly spoke to him, encouraging him to go rest.
The queen found Edwina admiring one of her necklaces and told her she'd worn it for the king's golden jubilee. They talked about love, particularly the love the king and queen have for each other. Edwina wondered how one made a choice about love and the queen said even she couldn't tell people what to do in the face of true love.
Edwina then lured both Kate and Anthony to the church, leading each of them to believe the other had summoned them. When they had both arrived, she told them she couldn't marry Anthony because it would be betraying herself. She'd realized that Kate always gave Edwina what she wanted, not what Edwina wanted, so she'd made up her mind not to marry Anthony.[7]
Harmony Ball[]
In the aftermath of the aborted wedding, Lady Danbury reminded them that they needed to tell everyone that it was a mutual decision between Anthony and Edwina to end the engagement. Edwina was annoyed, asking why they're pretending that nothing has happened, but Mary said they were simply dealing with the matter privately. Lady Danbury also shared hope that the ton would soon move on to the next scandal. After realizing they and the Bridgertons were being shunned by the ton, Violet and Lady Danbury made a plan to throw a ball together, to show there was no ill will between the two families. When Anthony and Kate ended up beside each other, Edwina wondered how she could be so blind to their connection. When Anthony arrived at the art gallery with flowers for all the women, Edwina slighted him and had to be reminded that when others could see, they needed to show there wasn't bad blood between them.
At the gallery, Edwina told Kate that she'd told several young ladies that it was a mutual decision and they believed it. She supposed lying well was another thing she'd learned from Kate. Kate apologized again, but Edwina responded hostilely.
Edwina attended the Harmony Ball at the Bridgertons'. They were all shocked when no one else showed up. Violet was prepared to cancel the evening, but Anthony called the younger children downstairs and they all danced together. Edwina was visibly upset when she saw Kate and Anthony dancing together at one point. Once it was over, they discovered that no one had arrived possibly because the latest Whistledown had reported that Eloise was socializing with political radicals. Kate suggested they head home, but Edwina gave her the cold shoulder, saying she was kinder-hearted than Kate.[8]
Kate's Accident and Featherington Ball[]
When Kate fell from her horse while riding in the rain, Anthony brought her back to Lady Danbury's, where a surgeon checked her out while Edwina and Mary watched in distress. Kate remained unconscious for several days, with Edwina, Mary and Lady Danbury sitting worried by her side. One day, Edwina told Kate not to die before they had a chance to reconcile. Edwina was overwhelmed when Kate said her name and woke up. Lady Danbury sent for a doctor while Kate recalled the accident. She asked if Anthony had been to see her and they told her he hadn't.
Kate went to see Edwina and said she wanted to earn Edwina's trust back. Edwina asked if there was always something between her and Anthony. Kate said there probably was, but she was lying to herself about it and then it was too late. She didn't tell Edwina because she thought she could deny her true feelings, but then she couldn't. Edwina said she wanted to get to know the true Kate and to know herself the same way. She wanted them both to present their true selves at the Featherington ball.
The Sharmas went to the ball, where people whispered as they entered. Kate told Edwina she wanted one last night with her before leaving. The two sisters danced together, not caring what people would say about them. Later, Edwina told Kate she wouldn't be able to avoid Anthony all night and shouldn't try. She told Kate to be her true self and do something for herself for once. As she watched Kate and Anthony dance, Edwina said they looked beautiful together. The queen agreed, which prompted others to agree. The queen also told Edwina about her nephew, the prince, who was available. As the ball wound down, Edwina and Mary embraced and watched the fireworks together.[9]
Personality[]
Edwina has been taught by her older sister Kate to be the perfect debutante. She's kind-natured and endlessly endearing. But while she may be young and naive, she also knows what she wants: a true love match.
Relationships[]
Romantic[]
Anthony Bridgerton[]
After the queen named Edwina the season's diamond, she was courted by Anthony Bridgerton. Edwina enjoyed his company and dancing with him, but Kate was firmly opposed to the match.[2] Edwina was still interested in Anthony, and Edwina hoped he would propose. When he didn't, Edwina was dejected and believed Kate's opposition was stopping him. She asked Kate to spend time with him so he would propose, which seemingly worked, because Anthony finally proposed.[5] Edwina was excited to be a viscountess, and told Kate she loved Anthony.[6] At the wedding altar, Edwina realized that Kate and Anthony had feelings for each other. Thought Anthony insisted he wanted to marry her, Edwina knew he didn't love her, and refused to marry him.[7] She was distant from Anthony afterwards.[8] However, she later supported his and Kate's relationship.[9]
Lord Lumley[]
Edwina and Lord Lumley bonded over their shared love of literature. They also attended the Royal Races together, but Anthony Bridgerton forced his way between them, limiting their ability to get to know each other.[3]
Husband[]
Edwina later married and settled into a happy life in India with her new husband, who got her interested in the outdoors and horseback riding.[1]
Familial[]
Kate Bridgerton[]
Edwina is very close to her sister Kate, who raised Edwina after their father died, teaching her everything she needed to know to be a British debutante.[2] Edwina spent time with Lord Lumley at Kate's insistence, but was still interested in Anthony, eventually deciding to let him court her, despite Kate's opposition.[3] Believing Anthony wasn't proposing because of Kate's opposition, Edwina convinced them to spend time together.[5] She believed it worked after Anthony proposed. After Edwina found out about the Sheffield inheritance, she was upset that Kate had hid it from her, saying she was grown woman now.[6] Edwina discovered that Kate and Anthony had feelings for each other, and was angry at Kate. Though Kate insisted Edwina should still marry Anthony, Edwina was upset and refused to listen, saying Kate had lost her power over her.[7] Kate apologized to Edwina, saying she could still find love, but Edwina coldly dismissed her sister.[8] When Kate was injured, Edwina was worried about her sister. She was relieved when Kate woke up, and the two reconciled.[9]
Mary Sharma[]
Edwina was worried about Mary when they came to England, knowing she faced scrutiny after she married Edwina's father.[2] When Edwina ran away from the altar and Mary and Kate ran after her, Edwina told her mother how she discovered Kate and Anthony had feelings for each other.[7] She refused to speak to Kate after calling off the wedding, often staying close to Mary instead.[8] When Kate was injured, Mary and Edwina bonded over their worry for her.[9]
Notes and Trivia[]
- Netflix Bio: Edwina is equal parts sweet and lovely – but while she may be young, she still knows what she wants: a true love match. Edwina finds herself inundated with suitors and thankfully she has her loyal and shrewd sister to vet the potential matches. But when Edwina falls for Anthony Bridgerton against Kate's wishes, their sisterly bond is put to the test.
- Edwina speaks French, Greek, Latin, Marathi, and Hindustani. She plays sitar, maruli, and pianoforte. She can also dance.[2]
- Edwina has been learning French since the age of 10.[2]
- Kate calls Edwina 'Bon' in the series, which is Bengali for 'little sister', a term of endearment.[10]
Gallery[]
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A more complete gallery with pictures of Edwina Sharma (Netflix) can be found here. |
Appearances[]
| Bridgerton, Season 2 | |||||
| #01 | "Capital R Rake" | #04 | "Victory" | #07 | "Harmony" |
| #02 | "Off to the Races" | #05 | "An Unthinkable Fate" | #08 | "The Viscount Who Loved Me" |
| #03 | "A Bee in Your Bonnet" | #06 | "The Choice" | ||
References
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