Bridgeton Review

By Ally Newkirk

It is no surprise that Netflix’s new hit regency drama Bridgerton took over the world of streaming television. Set in 1813 London, the story primarily revolves around the rivalry between the Bridgerton and Featherington families along with the romance of the eldest daughter, Daphne. The show is set during “courting season,” the time when the daughters of upper-class families need to find husbands worthy of a bright future. After being pronounced “the diamond of the season,” Daphne rises to the top and starts her complicated story with the Duke. 

An impressive aspect of the show was how much diversity they included throughout the story-line and cast. In one of the eight episodes, we find out that after King George III married Queen Charlotte, who is of mixed race, the Crown went on to grant a number of peerages to those of African heritage. This includes how the main love interest, Simon the Duke, earns his  title from his family reign over the provinces of Hastings. However, this still leaves many questions unanswered about the present history of Britain in the show. Is Britain’s new progressive state still colonizing lands throughout the globe? How long did it take for racism to simply disappear from the kingdom? 

In this new and improved progressive state in the Regency era, the show adds a few more modern elements amongst the action. While you watch couples dance across a ballroom floor with ease, music from pop singer Ariana Grande can be heard playing on a set of string instruments. Additionally, the storyline echoes 2000’s show Gossip Girl. Daphne’s sister, Eloise, spends much of the series trying to uncover the true identity of Lady Whistledown, the anonymous author of a society newspaper

With similar style to Downton Abbey, Julia Quinn’s original romance series was turned into this striking television show through Shondaland. If you’re not familiar with this company, it’s owned by American writer and producer Shonda Rhimes who has also produced the hit shows Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal. Needless to say, Bridgerton is in great hands and is already looking at a brilliant future.

A season two for the new show has already been scheduled. Fans have predicted that the plot will focus on Daphne’s eldest brother, Anthony. Within Julia Quinn’s famous book series, each novel zooms in on the life of one of the Bridgerton siblings. No matter the storyline, the world is ready to experience another thrilling tale of the drama within everyone’s favorite regency family.