Coronation Street’s Sally Dynevor ‘so proud’ of daughter Phoebe’s lead role in Netflix’s Bridgerton

Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor has expressed her pride in daughter Phoebe, after she landed a lead role in Shona Rhimes’ new Netflix show Bridgerton.

The soap veteran, 57, and her 25-year-old offspring are set to be locked in a competition of sorts, with Bridgerton premiering on the streaming service on Christmas Day, as Corrie plays out dramatic scenes in an hour-long special.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Sally said: ‘I just want to say I’m very proud of Phoebe and as a family, we are so excited to see Bridgerton on Christmas Day.’

Anticipation for the show went into high gear last month, when a first look was unveiled, showing a mixture of sultry moments, scandal and shock.

The tantalising trailer, voiced by Dame Julie Andrews, hints at the intrigue that is set to hit screens when the show – dubbed ’19th Century Gossip Girl’ – debuts.

From Shondaland, who produced Grey’s Anatomy, How To Get Away with Murder and Scandal, and creator Chris Van Dusen, Bridgerton follows Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family as she makes her debut onto Regency London’s competitive marriage market.

And fans were thrilled with the first look that shows racy scenes where scantily-clad couples embrace amid the back drop of high society, as Julie Andrews’ character narrates: ‘Let it be known, if there is a scandal, I shall uncover it’.

Phoebe’s impending acting success was anticipated for over a decade, as Sally told The Sun in 2017: ‘Phoebe decided she wanted to act when she was 12 or 13.

‘My mother-in-law Shirley said to me: “You mustn’t dissuade her. Actors are the most wonderful people in the world and the most fun.”

‘I thought: “She’s absolutely right”, and even if it’s very difficult she’s going to have a great time. I was probably more nervous watching her in something than I’d ever been for me, but she’s doing OK.’

At the point of the interview had already enjoyed roles in Waterloo Road, Prisoners’ Wives and Younger.

Within hours of the first look at the trailer for Bridgerton, fans compared it to both hit noughties show Gossip Girl. which sees a New York private school hit by a scandalous gossip blog, as well as ITV’s global hit drama Downton Abbey.

Others praised the diverse casting of the show, saying it’s a welcome change for a period drama.

The show follows Daphne, hoping to follow in her parents’ footsteps and find a match sparked by true love, and her prospects initially seem to be unrivalled.

But as her older brother begins to rule out her potential suitors, the high society scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews) casts aspersions on Daphne.

Also starring in the show as the highly desirable and rebellious Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings is British-Zimbabwean actor Regé-Jean Page, who plays a committed bachelor and the catch of the season for the debutantes’ mothers.

Despite proclaiming that they want nothing the other has to offer, the attraction between Simon and Daphne is undeniable and sparks fly as they find themselves engaged in an increasing battle of wits while navigating society’s expectations for their future.

Netflix say the show ‘is a romantic, scandalous, and quick-witted series that celebrates the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way, and the search for a love that conquers all’. 

Meanwhile, Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor has played Sally Webster on the hit ITV show for 34 years – making her the soap’s seventh-longest serving star.   

Sally has been married to Emmerdale screen-writer Tim Dyvenor for 25 years and together they parent children – Phoebe, 25, Sam, 23, and Hattie, 16.