Is it just me, or is there really something about finding out that people from hundreds of years ago shared our morbid fascination for drama and scandal?
Say for example, when you see a painting of Henry VIII (online or in a museum).
You don’t immediately draw the connection between his court scandals and wife-murdering tendencies, not when he looks so composed and regal in his royal portraits.
Yes, old-timey paintings and black-and-white photos reveal very little behind the un-smiling faces of their subjects.
But the truth is, those people (some of whom may even be our direct ancestors) share many things with us 21st century folks – morbid fascination for drama and scandal, included.
I imagine this is why I (and many people on the internet, it seems) was able to binge watch Bridgerton in one or two seatings.
I was even more impressed by its original take on Jane Austen tropes. The familiar social scene of London (and even a passing mention of Bath) with all its desperate young debutantes and their even more desperate mothers, eligible bachelors, class segregation, etc. etc. were reimagined for today’s audience with more cultural and gender diversity and inclusivity.
As a matter of fact, the show’s leading couple is multi-racial; Daphne Bridgerton is played by British actress Phoebe Dynevor, and the Duke of Hastings is played by the British-Zimbabwean actor Rege-Jean Page.
A large part of the show’s appeal is the two main actors’ electrifying chemistry. Phoebe’s Daphne had a passing resemblance to Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen in Season 1, both scene-stealing beauties with personality to match.
Rege’s Duke of Hastings was definitely a nod to late pop culture phenomenon, Prince’s mysterious charisma and oozing sex appeal.
If that weren’t enough, most (if not all) the supporting characters’ colorful personalities added layers of depth to an otherwise predictable romantic comedy plotline. The Bridgerton Mentionables include the disembodied voice of Lady Whistledown, Lady Danbury, Anthony Bridgerton, Lady Featherington and Queen Charlotte. Other fan-favorites include Penelope Featherington, Benedict Bridgerton, Colin Bridgerton, Eloise Bridgerton, etc. etc. They were good, don’t get me wrong, but they weren’t always able to walk the fine line between Regency Era-Londoner and 21st century actor playing a period drama, as opposed to the Bridgerton Mentionables who did a fantastic job at suspending their audience’s disbelief all throughout the 8 episodes of the first season.
And while it’s too soon to find out if the show will be renewed for a second season, there’s certainly plenty of material for the next 7 seasons or so. Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn’s 8-part Bridgerton Book Series, which features one Bridgerton sibling’s romantic adventures per installment.
I imagine a full season around Anthony Bridgerton would be a treat, but I can’t say the same for ‘boring’ Colin Bridgerton and ‘rebel without a cause’ Eloise Bridgerton. One can only hope their characters will be recasted, because their Season 1 performance was lackluster to say the least.
Of course, I’m no movie critic. I’m merely channeling the scathing remarks of Lady Whistledown, the show’s ‘invisible but all-seeing’ narrator. I had hoped they would keep her identity under wraps till the final season (a la Gossip Girl), but alas, they revealed who she really was at the end of the final episode, leaving more questions than answers, though less of “I’m more intrigued. Tell me more!” and more “Wait, that doesn’t make any sense!”
All in all, Bridgerton was highly entertaining. If you can stomach another predictable romantic comedy plotline for 8 hour-long episodes (I know I can), then you’ll fall in love with this period piece, complete with 18th century Versailles-inspired costumes, string quartet renditions of today’s chart-topping pop songs, and of course, a ridiculously attractive and talented cast to boot!
