Bridgerton is a periodic drama that won its audiences’ hearts in a very short time. With over 20 million hours watched, this series continues to break records, and this year, the prequel spin-off “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” was released. The show “Bridgerton” is like any other British period piece, but its visually appealing cinematography, dazzling sets and costumes, and beautiful Regency affairs make it stand out.
People typically expect to learn about that historic period and revisit traditional themes and stories via such shows, but Bridgerton offers something more. In two seasons, two different love stories were told about two siblings of the Bridgerton family. Even though the show is set in the 1800s, it has some interesting modern twists.
In the Royal Historic Series, most of the cast is white, and even if they hire someone black or brown, they tend to feature them only for lowly roles like chauffeur, servant, and slave. But the Bridgerton series embraces racial diversity in its casting and shows people of color in leading roles. It was influenced by the fact that Queen Charlotte, a mixed-race woman, married King George III for love and political reasons, allowing people of color to rise to prominence in society. It is shown in the series “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” that the princess dowager conferred titles on the African American noble families residing in London prior to Charlotte and George’s nuptials to include them in the Queens Court. The royal family referred to this marriage and inclusivity as the “Great Experiment” which took a lot of time and effort to be successful. The show features African American royals such as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, and Lady Danbury, and in the last season, they introduced the “Sharma sisters”, who came from India, as the female protagonists, which is indeed very rare in British royal dramas.
There was also a hint of feminism in the story. Back in the 1800s, women were subdued from participation in the greater society and confined to traditionally feminine responsibilities. Those hailing from noble families were not allowed to participate in politics or any other important state matters despite receiving formal education and were forced to conform to the usual societal domestic norms like marriage and rearing children. Women’s intellectual pursuits were frowned upon. However, they could influence the decisions taken by the men in charge of the estate and household.
In Bridgerton, we can see the ladies of the house advising on such issues; for instance, Lady Featherington’s involvement in financial and social matters of her family.
After the death of her husband, she manipulated the new lord to secure a good match for her daughter and also made shrewd investments to improve their financial standing. Similarly, Lady Danbury plays a crucial role in mentoring the young debutantes such as Daphne, Edwina and Kate Sharma to navigate the complexities and expectations of London’s elite society.
There were also women like Eloise Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington who broke free from these societal norms and fought for their rights and education.
In fact, Penelope was the secret writer, hiding under the name “Lady Whistledown”, who gained popularity by publishing all the rumors running around the noble society and also criticizing the Queen and the social customs regarding women.
However, Bridgerton’s core attraction was the romance and chemistry between the nobles and royals. At that time, society emphasized finding a partner who could complement one’s social status and wealth rather than true love. People used to get married for the estate, titles, and dowries. But the main characters Daphne-Simon, and Anthony-Kate defied these conventions and found love in unexpected ways. Daphne and Simon’s fiery passion was obvious from the moment they met, while Anthony and Kate’s slow-burning romance was built upon mutual respect and understanding. The bold and steamy scenes between Daphne-Simon left the audiences breathless, and Anthony-Kate’s sweet yet passionate moments tugged at their heartstrings. As the seasons progressed, viewers were captivated by their courtship, their unique struggles, and their desires. Despite the challenges they faced, such as scandalous rumors and complicated family (and state) drama, the seemingly star-crossed couples eventually found happiness in each other’s arms.
The show drew viewers not only with all the extravagant and flashy social events, such as courting, grand balls, dances, dinner parties, and soirees but also with elegant decorations and glamorous dresses and accessories that created trends around the world.
Its popularity has led to renewed interest in romance novels and historical fiction, as well as increased tourism to filming locations such as Bath, England. An interactive “Bridgerton”-themed ball has also been launched that runs in several cities across North America. The event is known as the “Queens Ball: A Bridgerton Experience”, where fans can sign up, dress in Regency-style clothing, have ball dances, and experience their “Bridgerton” fantasy for a night.
Not just in recent trends, Bridgerton also influenced pop culture demands, which is why Shonda Rhimes launched the prequel “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” which delves into the romance of Queen Charlotte and King George III. The prequel has showcased numerous prominent characters, such as Lady Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury, whose character development was portrayed. Although it is not mandatory to watch the original show to understand the spin-off, you can take a recap if you want to get a deeper understanding of the relationships and dynamics between the characters. Besides, watching “Bridgerton” can provide valuable context and background information that enhances the overall viewing experience of “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.”
The series is based on the “Bridgerton” book series by Julia Quinn and was created by Chris Van Dusen. He made a successful attempt to capture the essence of the Regency era and emphasized historical accuracy. From the language used by the characters to the political and social issues addressed, everything is diligently researched and presented in an authentic way. The show has been praised for its detailed attention to the costumes, set design, and music, which all contribute to transporting viewers into a different time period. Covering songs by Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift to add a modern twist to classical music is surely very unique. The characters in Bridgerton have also received critical acclaim for their performances, particularly Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page, who played the lead roles of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset. Their chemistry on screen was electric, and their portrayal of a couple navigating the complexities of love and societal expectations in 19th-century England is both nuanced and captivating.
The success of Bridgerton series lies not only in its stunning visuals and captivating storyline but also in its ability to explore complex issues such as class, race, love and gender in a way that feels both modern and timeless. Besides, starting the episodes with Lady whistledown’s quirky and witty remarks and ending with surprising cliffhanging notes leave audiences in suspense and compel them to binge on and on. Nonetheless, it is a fun series that is worth the hype and is definitely something to indulge in on weekends.