TV Review: Bridgerton

Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Regè- Jean Page, Jonathan Bailey

Creator: Chris Van Dusen

Released: 2020

Genre: Drama/ Romance

Streamed: 63 Million

So as you can tell I’ve decided to do something slightly different this week, and review Netflix’s latest show that was released on Christmas Day. If you’re a fan of Gossip Girl and Downton Abbey then this is the show for you. We follow the lives of multiple families in the early 19th Century situated in a town in England. We see how they each navigate their different lives, whilst also trying to meet the expectations of society. In addition to this pressure there is also the mysterious Lady Whistledown, an author who publishes a piece about all the gossip in the town and exposes everyones secrets. (This would be the Gossip Girl element)

There are many characters within the show, and surprisingly they are all important to the plot and all of their sub plots work well with the main storyline. The main family we follow is the Bridgerton’s including Lady Violet Bridgerton, mother of her family who is struggling following the death of her husband, this leaves their oldest son Anthony to run the family and is now Viscount. Following that are Benedict and Colin. Next up is the eldest daughter Daphne, followed by Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth. The family that lives across the road and in some ways see themselves as rivals are The Featheringtons including Lord and Lady Featherington, their 3 daughters Philippa, Prudence and Penelope, with the Lords distant cousin Maria coming to live with them for the season. Key characters who are not part of these families are The Duke – Daphnes love interest, Siena – Anthony’s love interest and Lady Danbury who although unrelated to the Duke was the one who pretty much raised him. 

The series is based off of the Bridgerton Series books by Julia Quinn. This series follows the book the Duke and I. It follows Daphne who is deemed the diamond of the season by the Queen in her and the rest of the girls her age quest in finding a husband. She finds herself striking a deal with The Duke, Simon who states he never wants to marry or have children and they both feel they can help each other. I think Simon and Daphnes relationship is an interesting one as it really is an enemies to lovers cliche, which yes can be questionable at times but overall they have good chemistry and work well together on screen. 

Another key relationship in the series is Anthony and Siena. As many relationships in the 19th century. This one was frowned upon by society as Siena is an unsure opera singer and Anthony is a viscount they could never properly be together in society. We see they love they have for each other and how happy they make each other and that makes it even more heartbreaking when they clearly can’t be together and both know it won’t work, despite their deep feelings. 

One way that this show is slightly different from ones also set in its time is that it does have quite a modern take. One example is the sound track although the transitional instruments the songs are from modern day such as Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift however played by a string quartet. The way women are portrayed is also slightly differently as yes there is still the stigma that was prominent at the time but we also get to see them be very badass in the lane they are put in such as Lady Whistledown with everything being against her she is still the talk of the town. 

I don’t want to go to into detail about anymore as I will just spoil the entire show if I go on. It’s available on Netflix now and would highly recommend.