'Bridgerton' Season 3: A look at real-life boxer who inspired Will Mondrich's character in Netflix's hit show
May contain spoilers for 'Bridgerton'
LONDON, ENGLAND: Netflix's 'Bridgerton', in its own fictionalized setting of the Regency era, brings several real stories notably through Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) and King George III (James Fleet). It takes several creative liberties to portray real-life personalities by reshaping them into fictional characters to deliver an engaging story.
One additional character that draws its inspiration from a real person is Will Mondrich. Played by Martins Imhangbe, Will Mondrich in 'Bridgerton' is loosely based on Bill Richmond, one of the most famous London boxers of the Regency era.
Introduced in Season 1 as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings’, close associate and boxing sparring partner, Will becomes a part of the Bridgerton world when Lord Feaherington asks him to fix a fight.
Struggling to provide for his family, Will eventually gives up boxing and opens a club that becomes a popular spot after Colin Bridgerton registers his friends as members of the club.
His fate takes a massive twist in Season 3 when his eldest son, Nicholas suddenly inherits the immense wealth of Alice's (Emma Naomi) aunt, Lady Kent.
Who was Bill Richmond?
Bill Richmond was a famous boxer from the Regency Era. He was born in America in 1763 where he spent the first few years of his life as a slave.
His freedom was bought by a British officer working in New York who saw him fighting with British soldiers in taverns. Later, he arranged more fights between teenager Richmond and British soldiers for entertainment purposes.
He eventually took Richmond under his care and brought him to England where he provided him with the education and a job as a cabinet maker's apprentice.
During this time, he married his wife, Mary. Richmond then moved to London where he found success as a boxer.
After having a long and remarkable career as a boxer, he died in 1829.
How does Will Mondrich from 'Bridgerton' resemble Bill Richmond?
In Season 1 of 'Bridgerton', Will's story is similar to that of real-life boxer Bill Richmond. Will is a boxer hosting exhibitions for the wealthy, and he trains Simon (Regé-Jean Page), which is similar to how Richmond trained upper-class citizens.
'Bridgerton' also references Bill Richmond's friendship with 2nd Baron Thomas Pitt, who received boxing lessons from Richmond. In the show, Simon represents Thomas Pitt, forming a close friendship with Will.
What are the differences between Bill Richmond and Will Mondrich?
There have been notable differences between Will and Richmond from the beginning. Will's backstory was altered to fit his smaller role in 'Bridgerton', thus eventually omitting Richmond's life in America.
Richmond married a white woman, unlike Will's wife, Alice. Richmond began boxing professionally in his 40s, unlike Will.
Additionally, in 'Bridgerton', Will throws a fight for Lord Featherington, which Richmond never did.
By Season 3, Will is even less like Richmond, having retired from boxing to open a gentleman's club. Talking about Richmond, he continued his boxing career, even though he did own a London pub.
Will's eldest son, Nicholas, inherits vast empire after the death of Alice's long lost aunt, Lady Kent. Such a scenario never happened to Richmond.
Clearly, Will is inspired by Richmond but is not a direct retelling of his story. The Netflix show avoids depicting the racism Richmond faced. It instead projects positive portrayal of Will's success in high society.
How to stream 'Bridgerton'?
'Bridgerton' Season 3: Part 1 was released on Netflix on May 16, 2024. As the season brings Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington's (Nicola Coughlan) love story to spotlight, anticipation grows for Part 2 of the latest season.
'Bridgerton' Season 3: Part 2 is scheduled to drop on Netflix on June 13, 2024.
Meanwhile, you can binge watch Season 1, Season 2 and Part 1 of Season 3, exclusively on Netflix.
'Bridgerton' Season 3 trailer