Varley and Portia Are Bridgerton’s Greatest Love Story

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Spoilers follow for Bridgerton season four, which is now streaming in full on Netflix.

In the third season of Bridgerton, Mrs. Varley, played by Lorraine Ashbourne, caused quite a stir. She left two unsatisfying jobs, and in the process, inspired the servants of Mayfair to demand better treatment and fair recognition for their work.

Honestly, watching Philippa Ashbourne as Varley is a highlight of Bridgerton for me. She plays the Featheringtons’ housekeeper, and she’s amazing at showing this total exhaustion with their craziness, but also a surprising amount of affection for them. It’s all in the little things – the raised eyebrow, the knowing smirk. She’s basically Portia’s (Polly Walker) spy, always eavesdropping and reporting back. But what I really loved this season was seeing Varley finally ask for a raise after twenty years of being underpaid. It felt like the show was finally acknowledging the value of the working class, and it was so satisfying to watch her stand up for herself. When she came back from working for the awful Lady Penwood (Katie Leung), it wasn’t just a return to the old ways; it was Varley getting the compensation she deserved. And it wasn’t just her, either – the show made a point of giving other servants their due as well. It was a really smart move, and it made the whole season feel more grounded.

Polly Walker’s character, Varley, having a bigger role this season is a highlight for fans of British actress Harriet Ashbourne, who’s known for her work in film, TV, and theatre. Ashbourne has consistently brought humor to Bridgerton, and she enjoyed playing Varley’s newfound assertiveness. She was especially pleased the season concludes with a reconciliation between Varley and Portia, as she believes they represent the show’s most compelling romance. “We’re very close on screen,” Ashbourne explains. “They are the central relationship within the Featherington family – it’s not about Lord Featherington at all. Lady Featherington and Varley function as a unit.”

You’ve been a part of Bridgerton from the start, and I’m curious about how you see your character, Mrs. Varley. Does she enjoy her work, and does she genuinely care about the Featherington family?

I absolutely love playing Mrs. Varley. She’s incredibly capable, intelligent, and funny – someone who could have been a powerful leader in a different era. She’s completely dedicated to the Featheringtons and has devoted her life to serving them. I don’t think she ever prioritized romantic relationships, or if she did, she wasn’t particularly interested. In fact, I think the relationship between Lady Featherington and Varley is one of the most compelling in Bridgerton – not in a romantic way, but through a deep loyalty, shared history, and emotional understanding that women uniquely experience. They’re equals. She’s got a lot of attitude, she’s smart and a bit mischievous. She definitely doesn’t do housework; she’s the one in charge, a real powerhouse! She’s comfortably settled with a wealthy family and will do anything for Lady Featherington.

You mentioned the possibility that Mrs. Varley never had a romantic connection. What other details did you develop about her life? In my vision for Mrs. Varley, she wasn’t necessarily uninterested in love, but it simply never materialized. It’s important to remember that being in service was a respectable and valued career path for women at the time. I don’t see any regret or longing in her; she’s content with her life. She finds great happiness in having Lady Featherington’s attention and care. The trouble begins for Mrs. Varley when she starts to feel unappreciated.

I really enjoyed watching her character develop this season, especially how she confidently stood up to both Lady Featherington and Lady Penwood. I was curious about your take on Varley’s choices. Ultimately, she needs the money – she’s an employee dealing with her boss, and that creates a lot of tension. It’s relatable to many people who’ve faced a situation where their loyalty to a job or company clashes with their own sense of self-worth. Varley understands her value and, when she asks for a raise, it’s about more than just money – she wants to be recognized and respected. She has a lot of self-respect and knows who she is. Lady Featherington relies on her heavily, both emotionally and practically – she’s essential to the family. So, when Varley confronts her, it’s a fight for her livelihood and purpose. With the daughters getting married, Varley’s role in the household feels increasingly uncertain.

I really enjoyed this recent storyline. It felt a little strange working with the actresses who played the Penwoods – I actually texted Polly, saying how much I missed working with her. Polly and I have become very close, and she’s become someone really special to me. We genuinely enjoy each other’s company and always share what’s going on in our lives. I have a lovely connection with her, so being separated for this storyline felt odd. Everything was new – a new set, a new costume. After wearing the green dress as Mrs. Varley for so long, it was a bit like being reinvented in a purple outfit! It was all good fun, and a great opportunity to explore a different side of Varley. I found the whole experience quite moving.

When Mrs. Varley asks Portia for a raise, she’s already received another job offer from Lady Penwood. The Featheringtons dismiss her request by claiming that discussing money within a family is inappropriate – a classic tactic used by difficult employers. I was thrilled when I first read the script because this conflict felt fresh and pushed their relationship forward, bringing them to a turning point. Their connection hadn’t been seriously tested like this before, and it made me wonder if I might have left the Featheringtons for good.

I was really surprised to see Varley return, considering how strong her principles are! It’s wonderful that we’ve created such a strong connection between our characters. Seeing that bond tested makes for compelling drama, because the audience has come to depend on it. Polly and I really enjoyed filming those scenes. The scripts were incredibly funny, and I especially loved the running gag of being given dresses to try and soothe me.

I laughed so hard watching your face when you brought out the dresses – it was the funniest moment of the whole series! Everyone agreed, it was hilarious, and Tom Verica did a fantastic job directing it. Honestly, the idea of passing on those old ball gowns just doesn’t make sense, and Varley really takes the brunt of it. She’s left wondering what to do with them all.

Were you aware of which dresses were going to be in the box? No, not at all! Tom simply told everyone to unpack the dresses and show them off, making a big show of it. It was quite absurd, but fun to watch. And doesn’t that reveal a lot about Lady Featherington? She doesn’t give it a second thought, believing she’s generously helping Varley.

It’s fun to imagine Varley having one of Portia’s dresses altered to fit her. Wouldn’t that be a great detail? It would be wonderful if she explored that side of things. I really appreciated that the show paid attention to the lives of the downstairs staff, as we haven’t seen much focus on them until now.

I’m really proud of Bridgerton. It’s been a groundbreaking show in a lot of ways, especially in how it cast its actors and built its team. It’s truly pushing the boundaries of what historical dramas can be, creating a more inclusive and diverse representation. The premiere in Paris was incredible – it’s amazing to see how many Bridgerton fans there are! The show celebrates all kinds of relationships – love, sex, and friendship – and it’s all about revisiting history in a way that feels modern and relatable.

When Varley switches from working for Lady Featherington to Lady Penwood, the first major conflict arises when Araminta nearly fires her for a simple mistake – serving tea in the wrong room. Araminta was clearly in the wrong, and I was surprised by her harsh reaction. The scene aimed to show Varley realizing she’d made a difficult decision. Immediately after leaving, Varley regrets her choice, quickly understanding the new position isn’t what she anticipated. Despite this, she’s determined to stay employed and ends up humbly asking Lady Featherington for her old job back. The interesting thing is they both ultimately want the same outcome, which is fortunate. This scene – Varley returning and pleading for her position – was a highlight, showcasing the underlying respect and affection they share, which ultimately brought them back together where they both belong.

Varley, while employed by Araminta, shares rumors about Sophie Baek with Lady Penwood, but quickly feels guilty. She then works to shield both Sophie and her half-sister, Posy, from Araminta’s schemes. It’s clear Varley has a good heart, despite being a bit cunning. She’s willing to bend the truth to achieve her goals or please Lady Featherington, but she ultimately knows the difference between right and wrong.

We’ve discussed Varley’s influence while working for the Featheringtons, but this season also explores themes of class and fair compensation, as Varley deserves to be paid what she’s worth. It’s not entirely clear if she identifies as working class, though. She feels like an employee who gives her all to Lady Featherington, and as long as she receives respect and affection in return, she’s content. The conflict arises when her value isn’t recognized, and she insists on being treated with dignity – it’s not about being rebellious. The dynamic between employers and employees is fascinating, much like the relationship between agents and actors. They often become close friends, sharing meals and socializing, but it remains a business arrangement. It’s a blurry line, because even a friendly boss can let you go. Varley’s situation highlights this tension, and that’s what made her storyline so compelling.

When she returns to Portia, it’s unclear if Varley actually receives the raise she requested. I believe she probably will, though perhaps not for the full amount she hoped for. Ultimately, that doesn’t seem to be the most important thing – she successfully made her case and stood her ground. This situation has led to a positive realignment in their relationship, and the time they spent apart likely helped them both realize how much they value each other. They’ve both gained a renewed appreciation for what they have.

During the season, Benedict challenges Sophie, questioning if she’s unable to relax and enjoy herself, forcing her to demonstrate that she can take time off. What do you imagine Varley does when she has free time? She loves to gossip – that’s her favorite pastime. The family provides her with joy, and gossip fuels her energy.

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2026-03-03 20:56