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The world of Netflix's hit series "Bridgerton" continues to enchant audiences, and this season 3, it’s graced by the charm and talent of Filipino-British actor James Bradwell. Playing the role of “Lord Basilio,” Bradwell brings a fresh and diverse perspective to the Regency-era drama.

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James Bradwell  06072024

Gretchen Fullido

ABS-CBN News

<p>The world of Netflix&#x27;s hit series &quot;Bridgerton&quot; continues to enchant audiences, and this season 3, it’s graced by the charm and talent of Filipino-British actor James Bradwell. Playing the role of “Lord Basilio,” Bradwell brings a fresh and diverse perspective to the Regency-era drama. </p><p>In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Bradwell shares his journey to landing the role, his experiences on set, and his deep connection to his Filipino heritage.</p><p>&quot;How did I land the role?&quot; Bradwell mused, reflecting on the serendipitous journey that brought him to the famed series. &quot;I had self-taped before, I think for season two of &#x27;Bridgerton.&#x27; But while I was doing a play in Liverpool, I got an audition through my agents for some &#x27;lords&#x27; they were casting. They were using &#x27;dummy sides.&#x27; By sheer coincidence, I was doing a play in Liverpool with (fellow Filipino) Martin Sarreal. We were sharing a dressing room. He was our other Filipino Lord up for the season, Lord Barnell! And we helped each other tape.&quot;</p><p>The camaraderie and mutual support between Bradwell and Sarreal paid off. &quot;We helped each other audition while we were playing Filipino seafarers in Liverpool. And then, I got offered to join the cast of &#x27;Bridgerton,&#x27; filming in July.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Hdfb_oJWY/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fnews-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A5869240.600000143%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="778" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>A fairy tale on set</strong></div><p>Describing his first day on set, Bradwell could not contain his excitement. &quot;It was so gorgeous. My first block of filming was episode two, and we were filming in this amazing stately home in a place called Osterley in West London. Just walking on set, seeing this amazing house decked out with all the Bridgerton panoply, the carriages outside, it was like walking into a fairy tale,&quot; he said.</p><p>Bradwell&#x27;s influence extended beyond his performance. He suggested a shortlist of Filipino names to the Bridgerton production team, all with &quot;high status&quot; origins. &quot;They chose the name &#x27;Basilio&#x27; from the list which means royal or kingly in origin, and the ‘Noli Me Tangere’ reference was a coincidence,&quot; he revealed with pride.</p><div><strong>Embracing his heritage</strong></div><p>Born to a Filipino mother from Naga City in Bicol, Bradwell’s connection to his heritage runs deep. &quot;My mother was born near Naga City. That’s where my Filipino heritage comes from. We always ate Filipino food at home. My dad met my mom in the Philippines in the &#x27;80s when he was working there. He has an appreciation of Filipino culture and speaks more Tagalog than I do as a white man,&quot; Bradwell chuckled.</p><p>Filipino cuisine played a significant role in his upbringing. &quot;Growing up, it was always in terms of celebration, having lumpia, pancit on birthdays, and of course, lechon was the first love. Wiltshire, where I grew up, is a pork county as well, so I think I married my English and Filipino with pig,&quot; he said.</p><p>When &quot;Bridgerton&quot; Season 3 was released, Bradwell was overwhelmed by the support from the Filipino community. &quot;I was blown away. I had the privilege of having a conversation about changing my name to something recognizably Filipino. The response was far more than I could have expected. It was incredible to see so many people responding positively to my effort to represent my heritage,&quot; he said.</p><p>This role has not only elevated Bradwell’s career but also deepened his connection to his roots. &quot;It’s brought into my life a wonderful circle of friends I made on set. There’s more opportunity to represent and be proudly your identity rather than feeling you have to hide yourself in the industry,&quot; he said.</p><div><strong>Reconnecting with the Philippines</strong></div><p>Bradwell’s recent visit to Manila was a significant milestone. &quot;It was such a singular experience. I hadn’t been to the Philippines since I was four years old. To be there as an artist, exploring my heritage, was a gorgeous time. Reconnecting with cousins in Pasay City and exploring the culture was amazing. If the opportunity came again, I’d be there in a heartbeat,&quot; he said.</p><p>His dual citizenship is a testament to his pride in his Filipino roots. &quot;I always knew I had birthright citizenship. When I finally did it at the end of last year, there was a great sense of pride in being able to affirm both parts of my identity with these passports, I think they’re symbolic,” he said.</p><p>To his Filipino fans, Bradwell has a heartfelt message: &quot;Thank you so much for your support. It’s really affirmed my pride in my identity. I’m not sure if we’ll see Basilio again in society, but if you keep shouting, maybe he can make a return. Thank you for all the support.&quot;</p><div><strong>From science to the stage</strong></div><p>Bradwell’s path to acting began in school, where he initially pursued a traditional route of studying science. &quot;But I always acted on the side. I remember acting for the first time in school when I was maybe seven years old and feeling like I really liked it. Pretend has always been the heart of my habit.&quot;</p><p>At 19, Bradwell decided to take the leap and pursue drama school. &quot;By the end of week one, I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m an actor.’&quot;</p><p>Bradwell’s journey from Wiltshire to the world stage is a testament to his talent and dedication. With his role in &quot;Bridgerton,&quot; he not only entertains but also inspires, representing the rich tapestry of his heritage with pride and authenticity. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/5/20/look-2-pinoy-actors-join-bridgerton-cast-941" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LOOK: 2 Pinoy actors join &#x27;Bridgerton&#x27; cast</a></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7wOOMruiJM/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fnews-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A5770985.900000095%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1005" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="box-sizing:border-box;background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><div style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 9px;line-height:18px"><br/></div><p>Part 2 of&quot;Bridgerton&quot; Season 3 will be out on Netflix on June 13.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/5/17/-bridgerton-stars-talk-love-romance-representation-2322" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#x27;Bridgerton&#x27; stars talk love, romance, representation in S3 premiere</a></div><div><strong>Related videos:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mvM6Q55oaQY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3030107"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3030130"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

<p>The world of Netflix's hit series "Bridgerton" continues to enchant audiences, and this season 3, it’s graced by the charm and talent of Filipino-British actor James Bradwell. Playing the role of “Lord Basilio,” Bradwell brings a fresh and diverse perspective to the Regency-era drama. </p>

Fil-Brit actor James Bradwell Stars as Lord Basilio in 'Bridgerton' Season 3

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Fil-Brit actor James Bradwell Stars as Lord Basilio in 'Bridgerton' Season 3

Gretchen Fullido,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 07, 2024 03:48 PM PHT

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James Bradwell

Lord Basilio

Season 3

Bridgerton

Filipino-British

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