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Netflix Review: Bridgerton

Shonda Rhimes' latest hit is the fantasy tale we can't stop talking about

Imagine yourself dressed in the high class fashion of Regency era London: empire waist cut dresses and long, discerning tuxedos. You arrive at the ball only to hear the latest talk of the ton.* And what might that be? It’s Bridgerton of course, the scandalous new series from Netflix that the ton can’t stop talking about.

Bridgerton is the latest series by Shonda Rhimes (creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal), and is based on the popular novels by esteemed fictional romance writer Julia Quinn. There are eight books in the Bridgerton series, with each book focusing on a different sibling in the Bridgerton family. The eight Bridgerton siblings are alphabetically named, and as Quinn describes them on her website, “They bicker, they joke, but they love each other fiercely.” 

The first season of Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on book one of the series, The Duke & I. The novel focuses on Daphne, the eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family. The season is narrated by the scandalous Lady Whistledown who fills us in on the latest and greatest scandals that the ton has to offer. The series also features a diverse cast including Guyanese-British actress Golda Rosheuvel, who plays Queen Charlotte.

The story centres on Daphne Bridgerton’s immersion into high-society through various debutante balls, and her goal of marrying one of London’s esteemed lords, dukes, or princes. The story is also a humorous critique of how sparsely women were taught about sexuality and pleasure in the 19th century.

Sexuality is a persistent theme throughout season one, and it is partly why Bridgerton is so steamy. The later half of the season explores Daphne’s relationship with her love interest Simon, and this is where things may get a bit too hot to handle (I do not recommend watching this show with your parents)!  

But is Bridgerton something we actually needed? Critics initially destroyed the show because of its outdated ideals about marriage. They argued that the show covers up the conservative ideals and pressures many young women face by promoting the value of marriage. 

But is that accurate? Although it may appear to be the case, we have to remember that Bridgerton is fictional. Despite the Bridgertons valuing marriage above all else for Daphne, I found the narrative to be typical of a romance story, especially one based in 1813. The way it whimsically explores true love in the context of the historical Regency era felt a lot like Pride and Prejudice (2005).

The Bridgerton debate seems to continually occupy my news feed, but if we think about other popular TV shows, marriage is often the final result of our favourite romances, e.g. Friends, New Girl, Gossip Girl, even Schitt’s Creek. We were all at one point rooting for our favourite couple to tie the knot.

The Regency era’s ideals may not match with our contemporary views on marriage and life, but the fantastical element of Bridgerton is sure to transport you to a different world. I found it to be a vicarious escape from our dreadful holiday lockdown, even if some of Daphne’s worries are a tad bit laughable. On the same token, just imagine having nothing to worry about except planning the biggest and most scandalous parties in 1813 London!

Netflix recently announced that Bridgerton is now the most watched series in the history of the streaming platform. Season two is set to start filming at the start of spring 2021, but its release on Netflix will not be until late 2022. For now, let’s hope Lady Whistledown wears a mask to all those balls!

*ton: Regency era slang referring to high-society London in the early 1800s

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