Bridgerton
The Game-Changer Period-Drama On Netflix!
Happy Wednesday, Golden Divas!
I was asked a question from my friend Beverly Blaney-Nunn, ‘Have I started watching the new Netflix series, Bridgerton?’ This new ‘Golden Diva’ and I share a likeness for the same television shows, and we love recapping the storylines. However, my answer was no! I saw the trailer, and I didn’t know what to make of it, another Regency-era period drama? Do I want to get caught up in another royalty story? After all, there are many of them to watch, The Crown, Downton Abbey, Tudors, Harlots, and Outlander, to name a few. So why would I squander my time to watch yet another boring lack of representation of a period drama series?
Well, let’s say I’m glad Beverly recommended it, and I’m glad I got caught up in the sexy new period-drama on Netflix. Bridgerton is a royalty hot mess and I loved it. This multicultural period romance displayed modern receptiveness with all of the fancy embellishments of beautiful gowns, dresses, carriages, tiaras, and lavish balls for a historical drama fan; which I am not; however, I was pleasantly engaged and entertained.
AGAIN, THANKS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION, BEVERLY. HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, AND WELCOME TO CLUB FIFTY!
A little known fact: Historical romance’s appeal stems from the genre’s hallmarks of codified social strata and beautiful gowns and, dare I say it, sexual repression. One can imagine when people lived constricted by conduct and found true love in the tension between concealed desires and stiff-backed politeness. It is London, England, after all, where emotions are barely displayed. However, Bridgerton breaks free of the constrictions and tension; this horny series brings sex right to the forefront for the old-timey people.
You know the old saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover,’ well, that statement applies here with Bridgerton.
The review critic in me has resurrected to write and engage you in my findings of this delightful tale. In my ‘Lady Whistledown’ voice, (I will talk about her character a little later in this article). I was compelled to write about ‘Bridgerton,’ the seductive period-drama piece on Netflix. It is all the burning rage when it comes to fantasy-romance with lots of melanin gracing the television screen!
Now, if you love hot romances, this is the post to read. Unless of course, you have been living under a rock or too caught up with the unsettling world of drama politics, COVID-19, and life, another drama was unfolding on Netflix on Christmas day called BRIDGERTON!
Hey, I know I’m a few weeks late; but it’s never too late to watch a good Netflix series. It’s a salivating show that will keep you hooked to every episode—it is a bridge over troubled water and god knows we need a change of pace. It also provides excellent comfort to the soul.
I know Golden Divas, it’s hard to switch the channel from CNN and the coverage of all of the madness that has taken place with the 2020 election and the drama that took place last week on Capitol Hill. But take that remote and go straight to Netflix and click on ‘Bridgerton’ for a little release from life as we know it.
Because this show is very addictive and will seduce you in the first episode, warning, it has a lot of sex so I caution you not to watch this show with your children.
Whatever your thoughts are about period drama shows throw it out the window quickly; because Bridgerton is not your grandma’s period show, it is wildly different from other historical shows.
Yes, it is a raunchy romance with smart quips, with some very sexy people as the lead, Phoebe Dynevor as debutante Daphne Bridgerton and some eye-candy for the ladies, the ridiculously handsome Regé-Jean Page as her love interest, and jousting partner, Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings.
IT IS AN INSANELY POPULAR SHOW THAT HAS SWEPT US AWAY FROM ALL OF THE MADNESS AT LEAST TEMPORARILY!
However, those are not the only reason to watch this magnificent show, it is adapted from Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels, which has been around for 15 years. Shonda Rhimes and the Shondaland outfit produce it as part of a mega-deal with Netflix. Her debut series with her company was set in the 1813 era in London, and Julie Andrews also narrates the series. Now that’s a great collaboration!
Remember, Shonda Rhimes. I know you do. She is the queen that ruled ABC with some other hot steamy shows, such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder. Well, Shonda has done it again! She has added a delightful romance story of intensity and intrigue to her repertoire of storytelling.
The first season has eight episodes; however, with the great success it has received, Netflix’s steamy period drama hopefully will renew the series for a sophomore season.
BRIDGERTON HAS BEEN HAILED THE GAME-CHANGER FOR A PERIOD DRAMA DUE TO ITS COLOR-INCLUSIVE CASTING!
The Duke Regé-Jean Page is a black man, Lady Danbury, is a black British actress named Adjoa Andoh, who plays his godmother. Another beautiful black woman is Golda Rosheuvel who plays Queen Charlotte (the first British royal with African lineage), who perfected a scowl only fit for a matchmaker queen. Bridgerton also features plenty of lesser characters portrayed by actors of color.
Now, ladies, you know, as African-Americans in these types of shows you only see us as the help, 
let alone the leads. So, you see, this is a BIG DEAL!
You’re probably wondering ‘what is all of the hype about when it comes to Netflix Bridgerton? Why did this story captivate viewers worldwide, making it one of the streaming network’s biggest shows?
Well, let me tell you, the show is based on the famous “Bridgerton” book series, written by Julia Quinn. It revolves around two families during “the season,” an annual period where elite families would host formal events to introduce their children to society and find them a suitable marriage. It is set in the Regency era’s competitive world in London, England, where eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love during the season when debutantes are presented at court.
Although the show focuses on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest Bridgerton daughter, as she enters the competitive marriage market, and The Duke of Hastings, Simon Bassett (Rege’ Jean Page). I mentioned those two hot leads earlier; Page has those smoldering good looks that will seduce you at one glance.
However, several other siblings have B plots going on, including Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), who is dating an opera singer from the wrong side of the carriage tracks. Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who could not be less interested in following her sister Daphne to marriage next year, and Benedict (Luke Thompson), who likes to paint.
Then there’s the Featherington’s, the other high-society family; they have some savory family members too; daughter Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) is the best pal to Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). She loves him from afar; he is oblivious to her feelings about him, even though it’s very obvious. The Featheringtons comes with a little something extra, a distant relative named Marina (Ruby Baker), a pretty little thing whose past has caught up with her from her hometown to London, England.
Of course, this Netflix series wouldn’t be right if Shonda didn’t have a scandal, and who better to report all the juicy gossip of community entanglements, the unparalleled Julie Andrews as the voice of ‘Lady Whistledown’ who narrates the show. I mentioned her earlier in this article. Whistledown is the anonymous writer who drops the hot gossip to everybody at the same time, brought weekly in the society gossip sheet during the London season.
Bottom line, Bridgerton has it all; it is riveting, with a poetic grandeur, exciting to watch as the novel-inspired series explores London high society through its opulence in eight episodes.
Yes, ladies, it is EPIC! Aside from the beautiful scenery, costumes, and music, beautiful, complex, and raw characters, Bridgerton captivates you with such topics as indignity, hardship, deception, marriage, loyalty, security, heartbreak, family, status, scandal, parenting, romance, unrequited love, tradition, trust, suspense, and love.
Kudos to Netflix, Shonda Rhimes, and the diverse cast of beautiful players who cast a spell over the viewers, leaving us all obsessed and wanting more in season two.
Okay, Golden Divas, if this isn’t enough to get you started on binged watching this series, I don’t know what will.
Enjoy, ladies, and let me know how you liked watching Bridgerton.
For the Breakdown of the characters, check out: https://nerdist.com/article/bridgerton-character-guide/?utm_campaign=social+flow&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social