Nathalie Moreno
Based off of Julia Quinn’s novel series of the same name, “Bridgerton” centers around a family holding the surname. The first season follows the sequence of the novels, focusing on eldest Bridgerton daughter Daphne and her journey to find love, marriage and create a family of her own.
There was no doubt that along with a new year gearing up, Netflix and all other streaming services would be coming in hot by adding new movies, series and original creations to their roster. What was more unexpected was how their original series “Bridgerton” took the world by storm soon after its release.
Showrunner Chris Van Dusen and executive producers Shonda Rhimes, Julie Ann Robinson and Betsy Beers of Shondaland (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal”) made the show what it is today. Less than a month after its Christmas Day release, “Bridgerton” was already breaking records as the most watched series in Netflix history.
“82 million households around the world chose to watch “Bridgerton” in its first 28 days,” Netflix said in a press release.
The series has also been ranked No. 1 in 83 countries including the U.S., the U.K., Thailand, Singapore, France and Brazil.
There are multiple reasons for the extensive success of “Bridgerton.” While the costumes, Regency time period, romantic genre and steamy storyline were contributing factors, Shondaland is praised for creating shows that flip the narratives of what is known today.
The company produces shows that place women in the forefront, making them the heroines. Along with representing powerful women, there is a diverse cast as well, with Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) being cast into roles with status and power, including the role of Queen Charlotte.
“Being a woman of color, I don’t get to see myself in Hollywood or U.S. shows in a certain way,” Netflix’s head of global TV Bela Bajaria said. “Regency era—it’s been done, you know, beautifully, but in a very specific way. To be able to see this kind of inclusive look at that period and interesting, complicated women, I think it’s really refreshing and very powerful.”
“Bridgerton” has caught the attention of people in all age groups, from the older generations to Generation Z. Students on the FSC campus have not been oblivious to its charm either. While not all opinions and takes on the show are positive ones, the overall buzz is nevertheless there.
“‘Bridgerton’ is popular because it takes the romantic genre and adds a splash of diversity to an awkwardly raunchy, but somewhat progressive, period narrative,” junior Grace Sill said. “People just want to judge for themselves how ‘intimate’ the show is while also supporting the colorful cast.”
Though Sill is not the biggest fan of the series, other students, like FSC junior Lexi Potter, love the diversity, light mood and youthfulness of the show.
“Of all the new shows I’ve watched in the past year, Bridgerton is one of my favorites,” Potter said. “I deeply enjoyed the diversity in the cast and how this was a work of fantasy. The show was very colorful and eccentric which makes it a really fun escape.”
