Bridgerton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bridgerton
Bridgerton Title Card.png
Genre
Created byChris Van Dusen
Based onBridgerton
by Julia Quinn
Starring
  • Adjoa Andoh
  • Lorraine Ashbourne
  • Jonathan Bailey
  • Ruby Barker
  • Sabrina Bartlett
  • Harriet Cains
  • Bessie Carter
  • Nicola Coughlan
  • Phoebe Dynevor
  • Ruth Gemmell
  • Florence Hunt
  • Claudia Jessie
  • Ben Miller
  • Luke Newton
  • Regé-Jean Page
  • Golda Rosheuvel
  • Luke Thompson
  • Will Tilston
  • Polly Walker
  • Julie Andrews
ComposerKris Bowers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Shonda Rhimes
  • Betsy Beers
  • Chris Van Dusen
  • Julie Anne Robinson
Producers
  • Sarada McDermott
  • Holden Chang
  • Sarah Dollard
EditorJim Flynn
Running time57–72 minutes
Production companyShondaland
DistributorNetflix
Release
Original networkNetflix
Original releaseDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25) –
present (present)

Bridgerton is an American streaming television period drama series created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes. It is based on Julia Quinn's novels set in the competitive world of Regency era London's ton during the season, when debutantes are presented at court. It is Rhimes's first scripted Netflix series.

Bridgerton debuted on Netflix on December 25, 2020. The eight-episode first season was met with positive reviews. With a viewership of 82 million households, it became the most-watched series on Netflix at the time of its premiere, and remains the second most-watched series by total watch time on the platform.[1] The series reached number one in 76 countries on Netflix. In January 2021, the series was renewed for a second season that is set to premiere on March 25, 2022.[2] In April 2021, creator Van Dusen revealed on Twitter that the series had additionally been renewed for a third and fourth season.[3][4]

Plot[]

The drama takes place in Regency era London in 1813, centering on the aristocratic Bridgerton family. The widow Violet, Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton is mother to eight children: her four sons, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, and Gregory, and her four daughters, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, and Hyacinth. Also featured are their gaudy neighbors, the Featheringtons: Portia, Lady Featherington; her husband the Baron; and their three daughters, Philippa, Prudence and Penelope; as well as their mysterious cousin Marina Thompson. Each episode includes narration by actress Julie Andrews, who voices the anonymous and ever-scandalous newsletter columnist known as Lady Whistledown. Lady Whistledown knows all the information in London, and everyone focuses on Lady Whistledown's article, even Queen Charlotte.

As eldest daughter Daphne Bridgerton enters her first season with Queen Charlotte's favor, she meets Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings and best friend of her eldest brother, Anthony. Despite being encouraged by his mentor, Lady Danbury, the Duke is determined not to marry and plots with Daphne to secure his bachelordom and her a suitable marriage.

Unlike the series of novels,[5] Bridgerton is set in an alternate history with a racially integrated London where people of color are members of the ton, some with titles granted by the sovereign. Creator Chris Van Dusen was inspired by historical debate over the 1940s African ancestry claims of Queen Charlotte "...to base the show in an alternative history in which Queen Charlotte's mixed race heritage was not only well-established but was transformative for Black people and other people of color in England."[6][7][8][9] Van Dusen says the series is not "color-blind" because "that would imply that color and race were never considered, when color and race are part of the show."[10]

Cast and characters[]

Main[]

  • Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, a sharp-tongued, insightful doyenne of London society, who was a close friend of Simon's mother and helped raise him after her death.
  • Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley, the Featheringtons' housekeeper
  • Jonathan Bailey as Anthony, Viscount Bridgerton, the eldest Bridgerton son and holder of the family title and estate since their father's death. He is also responsible for finding suitable spouses for his sisters while he himself is unwilling to marry.
  • Ruby Barker as Marina Thompson, a Featherington cousin from an upper middle class rural gentry family who comes to debut in London society as payment for a debt Baron Featherington owes her father. Marina is strikingly beautiful but also has a secret that will devastate not only her reputation but the entire family's.
  • Sabrina Bartlett as Siena Rosso, an opera singer who is Anthony's lover.
  • Harriet Cains as Philippa Featherington, the middle Featherington daughter
  • Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington, the eldest Featherington daughter
  • Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, the youngest Featherington daughter who is also best friends with Eloise and Colin Bridgerton.
  • Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Basset (née Bridgerton), Duchess of Hastings, the fourth Bridgerton child and eldest daughter. After her societal debut, she catches the eye of Queen Charlotte and becomes entangled in a courting deception with the Duke of Hastings, which becomes the epicenter of the gossip column from the mysterious "Lady Whistledown."
  • Ruth Gemmell as Violet, Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton, the widowed mother of the eight Bridgerton children. Her decades-long marriage, which ended with her husband's death, is the inspiration for her daughter Daphne's ideal "love-match."
  • Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton, the eighth and youngest Bridgerton child
  • Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, the fifth Bridgerton child and second daughter. Eloise is an independent young woman who is dreading having to make her societal debut. She is close with her brother Benedict, and is best friends with Penelope Featherington. She ardently searches for the real identity of Lady Whistledown.
  • Ben Miller as Archibald, Baron Featherington, the Featherington patriarch. He has a gambling habit that has left him deeply in debt.
  • Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, the third Bridgerton son and close friend of Penelope Featherington. Though he longs for adventure, he is smitten with Marina Thompson.
  • Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (season 1),[11] one of London's most eligible bachelors who famously refuses to marry. He is a close friend of Anthony Bridgerton.
  • Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. While she thrives on the gossip of the ton, she is agitated by the appearance of Lady Whistledown, whose scoops often go against the Queen's own plotting.
  • Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, the second Bridgerton son. Like his sister Eloise, he longs for a life beyond the confines of the ton, and is an artist.
  • Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton, the seventh Bridgerton child and youngest son
  • Polly Walker as Portia, Baroness Featherington, the Baron's ambitious wife and mother of his daughters. She believes herself to be cunning, scheming to get her daughters courted during their season; and, later, forced to try to make a match for Marina Thompson.
  • Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown, the author of a scandalous society newsletter.

Recurring[]

  • Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton, the third Bridgerton daughter who has spent the season in Bath with relatives.
  • Molly McGlynn as Rose Nolan, Daphne's loyal maid and confidant
  • Joanna Bobin as Lady Cowper, Cressida's mother
  • Jessica Madsen as the debutante Cressida Cowper, Daphne's rival
  • Jason Barnett as Jeffries, the Basset butler
  • Hugh Sachs as Brimsley, the Queen's secretary
  • Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich, a boxer and confidant of the Duke of Hastings based on the real-life Bill Richmond[12]
  • Geraldine Alexander as Mrs. Wilson, the Bridgerton housekeeper
  • Kathryn Drysdale as Genevieve Delacroix, a high society modiste/dressmaker
  • Simon Ludders as Humboldt, a Bridgerton footman.
  • Julian Ovenden as Sir Henry Granville, an artist who befriends Benedict.

Guest[]

  • Jamie Beamish as Nigel Berbrooke, a suitor of Daphne
  • Caroline Quentin as Lady Berbrooke, mother of Nigel
  • Simon Lennon as Lord Ambrose
  • Freddie Stroma as Prince Frederick of Prussia, the Queen's grandnephew who hopes to marry Daphne.
  • Amy Beth Hayes as Lady Trowbridge, a widow
  • James Fleet as King George III, the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. He suffers from an unknown mental illness that left him debilitated for much of the season.
  • Georgia Burnell as Celia, lady’s maid to Lady Berbrooke
  • Céline Buckens as Kitty Langham, a general's wife
  • Chris Fulton as Sir Phillip Crane, a baronet and the younger brother of Marina's lover, Sir George
  • Oscar Coleman as 4-year-old Simon
  • Cairo Eusebe as 6-year-old Simon
  • Lucas Booth-Clibborn as 11-year-old Simon
  • Lynette Clarke as Simon’s nurse
  • Daphne Di Cinto as Sarah Basset, Duchess of Hastings, Simon's mother who died during childbirth.
  • Richard Pepple as Duke of Hastings, Simon's father, who was absent and verbally and emotionally abusive.
  • Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich, Will Mondrich's wife

Episodes[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byTeleplay byOriginal release date [13][14]
11"Diamond of the First Water"Julie Anne RobinsonChris Van DusenDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
In 1813, during the competitive world of Regency era London's ton, households are preparing for the social season of arranging matches for marriage. Among the debutantes presented at court to Queen Charlotte are the three Featherington sisters and the eldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne, whom the Queen praises highly, giving her an edge over other young ladies. A new scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown circulates London, promoting Daphne as the season's "Incomparable". A distant cousin of Lord Featherington, Marina Thompson, comes to stay for the season under the supervision of Lady Featherington. Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, returns to London to see to the affairs of his late father. Simon's confidante, Lady Danbury, pressures him into joining the season. Viscount Anthony Bridgerton deems all potential suitors unsuitable for Daphne; his off-putting behavior drives away all except the detestable Lord Berbrooke. Marina picks up the slack, to the anger of the Queen and Lady Featherington. Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton conspire to bring Simon and Daphne together. Anthony breaks up with his mistress, Siena Rosso. Lady Featherington deduces that Marina is pregnant. Simon and Daphne agree to pretend to court so that Daphne will enjoy the attentions of suitors eager to steal her away from a duke, while Simon will have respite from young ladies and their mothers.
22"Shock and Delight"Tom VericaJanet LinDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Flashbacks reveal Simon's tragic childhood. After his mother died in childbirth, Simon was left under the control of his cruel father, who refused to accept that his only son was less than perfect. Lady Danbury came to his aid, assisting him in managing his stammer and supervising his education. On his father's deathbed, Simon vows he will never sire an heir in order to spite his father. In the present, the Queen grows more frustrated with Lady Whistledown's writings. Eloise Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington are confused as to how one becomes with child. Marina remains confined to her room but shares with Penelope that her child was conceived in love with a man named Sir George Crane who is fighting in Spain. Simon and Daphne's ruse works perfectly, but Anthony is upset, knowing of Simon's rakish behavior. Lord Berbrooke demands Daphne's hand, and Daphne gives him a black eye in self-defense; Anthony cancels his offer with Lord Berbrooke. Simon and Lord Berbrooke fight over Daphne's honor. Lord Berbrooke acquires a special license for his marriage to Daphne and threatens to ruin her name. Lady Bridgerton turns the tables on him after successive teas with the Queen and Lord Berbrooke's mother reveal a scandal that makes its way to Lady Whistledown.
33"Art of the Swoon"Tom VericaLeila Cohan-MiccioDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Simon and Daphne become closer, leading to Daphne turning down multiple proposals. Simon meets Siena, who invites him to see her after her next performance. Lady Featherington tries to match Marina again, but she waits for George to write back. Determined to prove that she is still the true ruler of London society, the Queen schemes to match Daphne with her nephew, the handsome and kind Prince Friedrich of Prussia. Lady Danbury tells Simon that he needs to propose to Daphne or step aside to make way for the superior match. Simon reluctantly calls off the ruse with Daphne. Viscount Benedict Bridgerton accuses Eloise of being Lady Whistledown. Anthony tries to take up with Siena again but she turns him down. George writes to Marina claiming that there was nothing between them, but unbeknownst to Marina, the letter was faked by Lady Featherington. Lady Bridgerton pushes Anthony to think about a match for himself. Simon decides to leave London ahead of schedule as a heartbroken Daphne embraces Prince Friedrich's attentions.
44"An Affair of Honor"Sheree FolksonAbby McDonaldDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Prince Friedrich invites Daphne to the palace and gifts her a beautiful necklace. Marina is presented to older suitors in want of heirs in an effort to marry her quickly. Eloise decides she will find out Lady Whistledown's identity. Daphne attends a boxing match with Prince Friedrich. Marina is set up with an older suitor and is saved by Colin. At a sumptuous fete, Prince Friedrich prepares to propose but an undecided Daphne flees to the garden. Simon approaches her to say goodbye and apologize. Daphne, upset, runs into a hedge maze, followed shortly by Simon, and the two kiss passionately. Anthony interrupts and demands that Simon marry Daphne. Simon refuses and Anthony challenges him to a duel at dawn. Penelope is crushed by Colin's attention to Marina which causes a fight with Eloise. Anthony plans to use the duel to free himself from society and be with Siena. Lady Featherington discovers the extent of her husband's gambling debts. Daphne realizes that Cressida Cowper, her rival for Prince Friedrich's affections, witnessed what happened in the garden and races to stop the duel. Simon tells her that the reason he cannot marry her is because he cannot provide her with children. Weighing her options, Daphne firmly declares they will marry anyway.
55"The Duke and I"Sheree FolksonJoy C MitchellDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Daphne and Simon petition the Archbishop of Canterbury for an expedited marriage license, but he refuses at the behest of the Queen. Prince Friedrich visits Daphne for closure. Anthony promises to take care of Siena even if they cannot be together, but local dressmaker Genevieve Delacroix claims she has left town. Money issues boil up at the Featherington home. Penelope becomes ever more jealous of Colin's attention to Marina. Cressida and Daphne confront each other. Benedict attends a party at the invitation of Sir Henry Granville. Lady Featherington intends for Marina to marry Lord Rutledge and orders her to cut out Colin. Simon and Daphne appeal to the Queen to allow for an early wedding; faced with losing her beloved King George III to his increasing dementia, the Queen is moved by Simon's impassioned plea. Simon and Daphne are married in a simple church ceremony. At the wedding reception, Marina gets a proposal from Colin, but with the request of a long engagement. The Queen takes interest in Eloise's investigation into the identity of Lady Whistledown. Lady Bridgerton and Daphne have a brief conversation about sex which leaves her with more questions than answers. Simon and Daphne leave for Clyvedon, but stay at an inn to avoid the journey after dusk. At the inn, Daphne finally confronts Simon over his avoidance of her, and the pair realize that they are in fact madly in love and consummate their marriage.
66"Swish"Julie Anne RobinsonSarah DollardDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Simon and Daphne as the Duke and the new Duchess arrive at Clyvedon for their honeymoon and spend much time together, romantically and sexually. Daphne has difficulty building a relationship with the housekeeper Mrs. Colson. Colin announces his engagement to Marina, to his family's dismay. Daphne and Simon mingle with the villagers. Penelope tries to ruin the engagement by confiding in Colin that Marina is in love with another man. Colin suggests he and Marina marry sooner than their families desire by traveling to Scotland. Simon turns his attention to the books after hearing that his tenants' rent has increased. Daphne is told that she offended the village by not being able to pick a winning pig at the fair. Mrs. Colson reveals more about Simon's upbringing to Daphne. Penelope discovers that George's letter was faked, but Marina chooses to marry Colin anyway, intending to move on from George. Daphne, with the help of her lady's maid, realizes that Simon can have children, but does not want to. She assaults him in order to get pregnant, and confronts him afterwards, blaming him for being ambiguous about his inability. Lady Whistledown publishes Marina's secret, shocking Colin.
77"Oceans Apart"Alrick RileyJay Ross & Abby McDonaldDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Simon and Daphne's dispute continues and Daphne decides to return to London after Lady Whistledown’s latest publication surfaces. Eloise prepares for her debut and continues to try to uncover Lady Whistledown in order to convince her to restore the Featherington name. Daphne arranges a chaperoned meeting for Colin and Marina. Simon decides to live separate lives if Daphne is not with child. The Queen is impatient with Eloise's progress in uncovering Lady Whistledown. The Queen throws the Featheringtons out of her luncheon because of Marina's scandal. Lady Danbury invites Daphne to a lively party with the married women of the ton, where Daphne, deciding to help Marina, tries to locate Sir George. To settle his debts, Lord Featherington approaches Will to convince him to throw his next fight; Will considers it. Anthony and Simon come to blows. Daphne discovers why Simon does not want to have children. Eloise realizes that Genevieve is the most likely person to be Lady Whistledown. Marina attempts to end her pregnancy and faints. Daphne gets her menstruation, is therefore not pregnant, and cries in her mother's arms with Simon overhearing.
88"After the Rain"Alrick RileyChris Van DusenDecember 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
George's brother, Sir Phillip Crane, arrives with news that George died in battle. An unfinished letter from George reveals that he did love Marina and intended to return for her and their child. Phillip offers to marry Marina himself, but she turns him down. Eloise confronts Genevieve and, believing her to be Lady Whistledown, tries to convince her to write in the Featheringtons' favor. Daphne finds the letters Simon wrote to his father as a child and Lady Danbury fills in the blanks about Simon's childhood. Daphne begins to make amends with Simon, who is reconsidering what he wants after spending time with Daphne's younger siblings. Anthony reunites with Siena and invites her to Daphne and Simon's ball, but Siena tells Anthony to move on. Will throws the fight and receives his winnings from Archibald, who is murdered by his "associates". Marina realizes that she is still pregnant and after receiving insight from Lady Featherington, departs London to marry Phillip. Before Penelope can profess her love for him, Colin announces he is leaving for his tour of the world. The Queen sends her agents to capture Lady Whistledown, but Eloise is able to tip her off. A downpour interrupts Simon and Daphne's ball, but the couple reconcile, leading Lady Whistledown to declare it the best ball of the season. Anthony announces that he will find a wife without love. Eloise realizes that Genevieve is not Lady Whistledown, who is revealed only to the audience to be Penelope. Later, Daphne and Simon have their first child, a son.

Production[]

Development[]

Bridgerton executive producer Shonda Rhimes

On July 20, 2018, Netflix announced that Shonda Rhimes would produce the Bridgerton series based on Julia Quinn's bestselling novels, while Chris Van Dusen would be showrunner.[15] Quinn explained on The Tamron Hall Show that when she heard from her agent that Rhimes was interested in adapting her novels, she "almost fell off of [her] stool", and quickly agreed to the offer.[16] On June 19, 2019, Julie Andrews was cast as Lady Whistledown, whose voice-overs explain much of the series' action.[17] Van Dusen said in a Shondaland article: "I think [period shows] are considered a bit traditional and conservative. With Bridgerton, I wanted to take everything I loved about a period show and turn it into something fresh, topical, and relatable."[18] On January 21, 2021, Netflix renewed the series for a second season.[19] On April 13, 2021, creator Van Dusen revealed on Twitter that the series had additionally been renewed for a third and fourth season.[3][4] On May 14, 2021, it was announced that Jess Brownell would serving as writer and showrunner for third and fourth seasons, replacing Van Dusen.[20]

Casting[]

On July 10, 2019, it was announced that Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page would play leads, while Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh and Polly Walker were cast in as regulars.[21]

On February 15, 2021, it was announced that Simone Ashley had been cast as Kate Sharma, the female lead for season 2.[22] On April 5, 2021, Charithra Chandran then joined the cast as her sister Edwina in addition to Rupert Young, who is set to play a new character.[23] A few days later, Shelley Conn was cast as Kate and Edwina's mother Mary, and Calam Lynch was cast as Theo Sharpe for the second season.[24] On May 28, 2021, Rupert Evans joined the cast as Edmund Bridgerton, the patriarch of the Bridgerton family for the second season.[25]

Filming[]

Ranger's House is used as the exterior of the Bridgerton House.

Principal photography wrapped in late February 2020.[26] Bridgerton was filmed in London and Bath,[27] as well as at various estates and parks around England. Although the series takes place in London, most street scenes were filmed in Bath, York, and Chatham. The grounds of Wilton House were used for Hyde Park and the grounds of Somerley were used for Hampstead Heath. Garden scenes were filmed at Painshill near Cobham and the Commissioner's House in Chatham.[28]

Filming locations included Ranger's House in Greenwich (standing in for the Bridgerton House exterior); Halton House at RAF Halton (Bridgerton House interior, Featheringtons' interior); Wilton House (Simon's Hastings House, Clyvedon estate interior, throne room); Syon House and Badminton House (Hastings House); Castle Howard (Clyvedon estate); Coneysthorpe (Clyvedon village); Hampton Court Palace and Lancaster House (St. James's Palace); Holburne Museum (Lady Danbury's estate); Hatfield House (Featheringtons' interior); No. 1 Royal Crescent (Grosvenor Square); Queen's House and Somerley (Somerset House); and Dorney Court (coaching inn).[29][30]

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens no longer exists in its entirety. The production team recreated it for Lady Danbury's ball by combining the remaining parts with Castle Howard and Stowe Park. The banqueting room at the Guildhall, Bath was used for another ball as well as the Great Hall at Leigh Court in Somerset.[31]

Anthony Bridgerton and Simon Basset meet in the real life Reform Club on Pall Mall in central London.[32] The scene in which Lady Featherington takes Marina to the slums was filmed at Chatham Dockyard in Kent. Boxing scenes were also filmed here in addition to Normansfield Theatre in Teddington. Theatre scenes were filmed at the Hackney Empire. A café in Bath, Pickled Greens, was used as the site of the Modiste shop and the Bathrooms at No.5 store on Trim Street became the site of Gunter's Tea Shop.[33]

Production on the second season began in March 2021.[34] In May 2021, it was reported that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead have refused permission to build a film set for the second season in Sunninghill Park near Windsor, despite royal approval.[35] On July 15, 2021, production on the second season was paused for 24 hours when a crew member tested positive for COVID-19, but resumed the following day. However, on July 17, production was halted indefinitely following a second positive test.[36] Production resumed in August 2021.[37] Production for the second season wrapped on November 20, 2021.[38]

Music[]

American composer and pianist Kris Bowers composed and arranged the score for the series. Bowers wrote and composed the first season's soundtrack, featuring nineteen songs. Musicians recorded the score remotely from their home studios during the COVID-19 pandemic.[39]

The first season featured orchestral covers of contemporary popular music, which director and executive producer Julie Anne Robinson said was inspired by the use of classic rock songs in the 2001 film A Knight's Tale.[40] Songs featured included Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next", Maroon 5's "Girls Like You", Shawn Mendes's "In My Blood" and Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy", all four of which performed by Vitamin String Quartet. Also included are Celeste's "Strange" performed by Bowers, and Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams" performed by Duomo.[39] Bowers also included modern interpretations of classical music, such as Bach's Cello Suite No. 6 in D major from Peter Gregson's Recomposed by Peter Gregson: Bach – The Cello Suites and Vivaldi's The Four Seasons from Max Richter's Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons.[41] The first season also included JPOLND's "The End" which has a "swingy melody but intense lyrics".[42]

Release[]

Bridgerton was released on December 25, 2020.[13] The teaser and promotional posters were released in the months prior.[43][44] On December 25, 2021, it was announced that season two would debut on March 25, 2022.[2]

A preview of a scene from season 2 aired during Netflix's September 2021 TUDUM: Extended Talent Panel.[45] This was followed by first look stills.[46]

Historical accuracy[]

A portrait of Queen Charlotte, painted by Thomas Gainsborough

In regard to the historical accuracy of the show, Chris Van Dusen has said that the show "is a reimagined world, we’re not a history lesson, it’s not a documentary. What we’re really doing with the show is marrying history and fantasy in what I think is a very exciting way. One approach that we took to that is our approach to race".[47] The aristocratic Bridgerton family, Lady Whistledown and most of the other characters in the show are entirely fictional.[48][49][47]

The theory that Queen Charlotte may have had African ancestry has been characterized as an unhistorical assertion by most scholars.[50][51][52] In an interview with Insider magazine, American historian Marlene Koenig said the show's representation of Regency-era London was more diverse than it was in reality, adding that "diversity as we know what the word means did not exist" in Britain during that period.[52]

Some classical music pieces used in the first season were composed later than 1813, the year the first season was set in. Examples include Dmitri Shostakovich's Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2, which was written in 1938, and "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour" from Jacques Offenbach's 1881 opera The Tales of Hoffmann.[41]

Limited prequel series[]

In May 2021, Netflix ordered a limited prequel series from Shonda Rhimes, which will focus on the rise and love life of a young Queen Charlotte. Rhimes will write the series and serve as executive producer alongside Betsy Beers and Tom Verica.[20]

Reception[]

Critical response[]

For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 89% based on 94 reviews, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The website's critics' consensus reads, "Sumptuous design, soapy drama, and a sterling cast make Bridgerton a delightful treat."[53] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 75 out of 100 based on 34 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[54]

Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series a B+ and wrote, "Bridgerton, it seems, is a wonderful diversion for those who love Pride & Prejudice but wish it had more stairway sex."[55] Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times gave the series four out of four stars and called it "A show that will give you that unmistakable binge twinge and have you activating that "Next Episode" time and again, until there are no more "Next Episodes"."[56]

British GQ described Bridgerton as a cross between Downton Abbey and Gossip Girl, but noted that it "may just end up being another disappointment" and "it could have been brilliant."[57] Salamishah Tillet of The New York Times said "Bridgerton provides a blueprint for British period shows in which Black characters can thrive within the melodramatic story lines, extravagant costumes and bucolic beauty [...] without having to be servants or enslaved."[58] Erum Salam of Cosmopolitan wrote "I kept wanting more. I wanted more explanations of how race factored into this society..."[59]

Carolyn Hinds from The Observer stated "Bridgerton has been praised as a racially diverse show set in the Regency Era".[60] Vanity Fair's Caroline Framke describes the sex in the series "isn't altogether shocking material for Shondaland to mine for its first drama series absent broadcast restraints."[61]

Audience viewership[]

On January 27, 2021, Netflix announced that 82 million households had watched the series in its first 28 days of availability, significantly higher than its January 4 projection of 63 million. It was the most-watched original series launch on the service at the time of its premiere,[62][63][64] prior to being surpassed by Squid Game in October 2021.[65]

Accolades[]

Year Award Category Nominees Result Ref.
2021 AFI Awards Top Television Program Bridgerton Won [66]
British Academy Television Awards Virgin TV's Must-See Moment "Penelope is revealed as Lady Whistledown" Nominated [67]
Costume Designers Guild Awards Excellence in Period Television Ellen Mirojnick and John W. Glaser III (for "Diamond of the First Water") Nominated [68]
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Julie Anne Robinson (for "Diamond of the First Water") Nominated [69]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Streaming Series, Drama Bridgerton Nominated [70]
Best Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama Regé-Jean Page Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Original Score in a TV Show/Limited Series Kris Bowers Nominated [71]
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Best Television Series, Limited or Miniseries or New Media Series – Best Period and/or Character Make-Up Marc Pilcher, Lynda J. Pearce, Claire Matthews and Louise Bannell Nominated [72]
Best Television Series, Limited or Miniseries or New Media Series – Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling Marc Pilcher, Lynda J. Pearce, Adam James Phillips and Tania Couper Won
Motion Picture Sound Editors Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Music Score and Musical for Episodic Long Form Broadcast Media Brittany DuBay (for "Shock and Delight") Nominated [73]
MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Show Bridgerton Nominated [74]
Best Breakthrough Performance Regé-Jean Page Won
Best Kiss Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series Bridgerton Nominated [75]
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Regé-Jean Page Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Adjoa Andoh Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Drama Series Chris Van Dusen, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Scott Collins, Alison Eakle, Sara Fischer, Julia Quinn, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Jonathan Igla, Janet Lin, Holden Chang, Sarah Dollard and Sarada McDermott Nominated [76]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Regé-Jean Page Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Julie Anne Robinson (for "Diamond of the First Water") Nominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance Julie Andrews (for "Diamond Of The First Water") Nominated
Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series Kelly Valentine Hendry Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (One Hour) Jeffrey Jur (for "Art of the Swoon") Nominated
Outstanding Period Costumes Ellen Mirojnick, John W. Glaser III, Sanaz Missaghian and Kenny Crouch (for "Diamond of the First Water") Nominated
Outstanding Period and/or Character Hairstyling Marc Pilcher, Lynda J. Pearce, Claire Matthews, Adam James Phillips, Tania Couper and Lou Bannell (for "Art of the Swoon") Won
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) Kris Bowers (for "Diamond Of The First Water") Nominated
Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music Kris Bowers and Michael Dean Parsons Nominated
Outstanding Music Supervision Alexandra Patsavas (for "Diamond Of The First Water") Nominated
Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More) Will Hughes-Jones, Dominic Devine and Gina Cromwell (for "After the Rain") Nominated
Producers Guild of America Awards Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Drama Chris Van Dusen, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Scott Collins, Alison Eakle, Sara Fischer, Sarada McDermott, Holden Chang and Tom Verica Nominated [77]
Satellite Awards Best Actor in a Drama Series Regé-Jean Page Nominated [78]
Best Actress in a Drama Series Phoebe Dynevor Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Cast of Bridgerton Nominated [79]
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Regé-Jean Page Nominated
Television Critics Association Awards Program of the Year Bridgerton Nominated [80]
Outstanding Achievement in Drama Nominated
Outstanding New Program Nominated
Rose d'Or Drama Pending [81]
2022 Grammy Awards Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media Kris Bowers Pending [82]

References[]

  1. ^ "The 10 Most Watched Netflix TV Shows of All Time". Complex. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (December 25, 2021). "'Bridgerton': Netflix Sets Season 2 Premiere Date, Reveals More Plot Details – Watch Announcement". Deadline. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Van Dusen, Chris [@chrisvandusen] (April 13, 2021). "More #Bridgerton love coming to this room soon! Renewed for Seasons 3 AND 4!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ a b Kanter, Jake (April 13, 2021). "Netflix Renews 'Bridgerton' For Seasons 3 & 4". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Bridgerton: Everything Netflix Changed from the Books". Screenrant. January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Jacobs, Julia (December 18, 2020). "With Bridgerton, Scandal Comes to Regency England". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "The Real History Behind Bridgerton". Den of Geek. December 29, 2020. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  8. ^ "Opinion: Bridgerton meant to integrate period romances. So why is it so hard on Black women?". The Washington Post. December 28, 2020. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  9. ^ "From race to incels, the modern Bridgerton twists hold a mirror up to today's shortcomings". Salon. December 27, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  10. ^ "A Double Hot Take on Bridgerton, Race & Romance". Refinery 29. January 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (April 2, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Surprise: Breakout Rege-Jean Page Not Returning for Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  12. ^ Valentini, Valentina (December 16, 2020). "Meet the Men of 'Bridgerton'". Shondaland. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Smith, Josh (October 15, 2020). "Now this is a costume drama! Here's our exclusive first look at Netflix's big new show, Bridgerton". Glamour. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  14. ^ "Bridgerton – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  15. ^ Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (July 20, 2018). "Shondaland Unveils Netflix Series Slate: The Warmth Of Other Suns, White House Drama The Residence, Ellen Pao Project, More". Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  16. ^ 'Bridgerton' Author Julia Quinn on How Shonda Rhimes Unexpectedly Discovered Her Book Series, archived from the original on February 11, 2021, retrieved March 6, 2021
  17. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 19, 2019). "Julie Andrews to Voice Lady Whistledown In Shondaland's Bridgerton Series for Netflix Based on Novels". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  18. ^ Valentini, Valentina (November 16, 2020). "How Showrunner Chris Van Dusen Brought Regency London to Life in 'Bridgerton'". Shondaland. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  19. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 21, 2021). "Bridgerton Renewed By Netflix; Season 2 Subject & Start of Production Confirmed". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 14, 2021). "Bridgerton Gets Young Queen Charlotte Spinoff From Shonda Rhimes, Sets Jess Brownell As Season 3 & 4 Showrunner". Deadline Hollywood.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 10, 2019). "Phoebe Dynevor & Regé-Jean Page To Headline Shondaland's Bridgerton At Netflix; 10 Others Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 10, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  22. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 15, 2021). "'Bridgerton': Simone Ashley Lands Female Lead In Season 2 Of Netflix Hit From Shondaland". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  23. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 1, 2021). "'Bridgerton': Charithra Chandran To Play Edwina, Rupert Young Also Cast In Season 2 Of Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  24. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 5, 2021). "'Bridgerton': Shelley Conn & Calam Lynch Join Season 2 Of Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  25. ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (May 28, 2021). "Bridgerton Season 2 Adds Charmed's Rupert Evans as Family Patriarch". TVLine. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (April 21, 2020). "Julia Quinn talks First Comes Scandal, hopes coronavirus won't delay Bridgerton series". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  27. ^ "Starring role for city as part of new period Netflix drama Bridgerton". Bath Echo. December 17, 2020. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  28. ^ Kent Film Office. "Kent Film Office Bridgerton Article".
  29. ^ Small, Gretchen (December 31, 2020). "12 Stunning Bridgerton Filming Locations You Can Visit IRL". Bustle. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  30. ^ Mitchinson, James, ed. (January 6, 2021). "Millions see stately Yorkshire at its best in hit period drama". The Yorkshire Post. p. 3. ISSN 0963-1496.
  31. ^ Griffiths, Eleanor Bley (December 25, 2020). "Where was Bridgerton filmed? Location guide for sumptuous Netflix period drama". Radio Times. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  32. ^ "The glamorous country houses and bucolic gardens that bring Regency London to life in Bridgerton". Tatler. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  33. ^ Donahue, Ann (January 6, 2020). "Bridgerton: Everything You Need to Know About Shonda Rhimes' First Netflix Show". IndieWire. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  34. ^ Petski, Denise (March 15, 2021). "Bridgerton's Luke Newton Posts Season 2 On-Set Photos: "The Boys Are Back In Town"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  35. ^ "Councillors reject Bridgerton film set in Windsor park". bbc.com. May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  36. ^ Kanter, Jake (July 17, 2021). "Bridgerton: Netflix Shuts Down Season 2 Shoot For Second Time After Another Covid Case". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  37. ^ Thorne, Will (August 3, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Season 2 Production Back Underway Following COVID-19 Cases (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  38. ^ Goldbart, Max (November 22, 2021). "Filming Wraps On Bridgerton Season Two". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  39. ^ a b Jean-Philippe, McKenzie (December 27, 2020). "The Bridgerton Soundtrack Features Amazing Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift Covers". O, The Oprah Magazine. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  40. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 18, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Director Julie Anne Robinson On Filming Balls, Horses & Those Honeymoon Scenes; Talks Casting & Music For Netflix Hit". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  41. ^ a b MacDonald, Kyle (January 25, 2021). "The music of Bridgerton on Netflix – how Taylor Swift became a Regency symphony". Classic FM. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  42. ^ Park, Andrea (January 6, 2021). "The 'Bridgerton' Soundtrack Is Filled With Classical Covers of Modern Hits". Marie Claire. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  43. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (November 2, 2020). "Bridgerton Trailer: Shondaland Romance Brings Historical Drama to Netflix". Variety. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  44. ^ Rhimes, Shonda [@shondarhimes] (November 2, 2020). "See you on December 25" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ Madden Toby, Mekeisha (September 25, 2021). "Bridgerton Season 2: Anthony and Kate Make War Not Love in First Footage". TVLine. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  46. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 27, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Releases Season 2 First-Look Photos Of Kate, Edwina & Mary Sharma, Eloise At The Ball & More". Deadline. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  47. ^ a b "Were the Bridgertons a real family and how historically accurate is the Netflix drama?". Heart. January 28, 2021. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  48. ^ "Is 'Bridgerton' Based On A True Story, And Are The Bridgertons A Real Life Family?". Women's Health. January 6, 2021. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  49. ^ "You've seen her on screen in Bridgerton – now discover the real Queen Charlotte". Tatler. January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  50. ^ Hilton, Lisa (January 28, 2020). "The "mulatto" Queen Lisa Hilton Debunks a Growing Myth About a Monarch's Consort". TheCritic.co.uk. TheCritic. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  51. ^ Jill Sudbury (September 20, 2018). "Royalty, Race and the Curious Case of Queen Charlotte". Acacia Tree Books. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  52. ^ a b "The real history behind Queen Charlotte in 'Bridgerton,' who some say was Britain's first Black royal". Insider. February 3, 2021.
  53. ^ "Bridgerton: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  54. ^ "Bridgerton: Season 1". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  55. ^ Baldwin, Kristen (December 22, 2020). "Bridgerton is a horny historical romance for the ages: Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  56. ^ Reoper, Richard (December 24, 2020). "Bridgerton: Netflix series as scandalous as 'Scandal,' as delicious as 'Downton Abbey'". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  57. ^ "Netflix's Bridgerton is Downton Abbey meets Gossip Girl – and not in a good way". British GQ. December 22, 2020. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  58. ^ Tillet, Salamishah (January 5, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Takes On Race. But Its Core Is Escapism". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  59. ^ Salam, Erum (January 15, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Is Nowhere Near Perfect on Race, but It's Still a Step Forward". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  60. ^ "'Bridgerton' Sees Race Through a Colorist Lens". Observer. January 1, 2021. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  61. ^ Framke, Caroline (December 21, 2020). "'Bridgerton,' Shondaland's First Scripted Netflix Show, Is a Confectionary Treat of a Romance: TV Review". Variety. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  62. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Smashes Netflix Viewership Records To Become Streamer's Biggest Series Ever". Deadline. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  63. ^ Porter, Rick (January 27, 2021). "Netflix Says Bridgerton Is Its Biggest Series Ever". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  64. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 4, 2021). "Bridgerton Seen by Over 63 Million Households, Netflix Claims". Variety. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  65. ^ Hayes, Dade (October 12, 2021). "'Squid Game' Draws 111M Views In First Month, Per Netflix, Besting 'Bridgerton' To Become Top All-Time Series Launch". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  66. ^ "AFI AWARDS 2020 Honorees Announced". AFI.com. American Film Institute. February 25, 2021. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  67. ^ Barry, Anna (April 27, 2021). "BAFTA TV Awards announce Must-See Moment nominees". Radio Times. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  68. ^ "Costume Designers Guild Awards Nominations". Deadline.com. Deadline. March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  69. ^ Adams, Ryan (March 8, 2021). "DGA Announces 2020 Nominees for Documentary, Television, and Commercials". Awards Daily. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  70. ^ Pedersen, Erik (July 8, 2021). "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  71. ^ Grein, Paul (January 27, 2021). "Diane Warren & James Newton Howard Among Top Winners at 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  72. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 18, 2021). "'Bill & Ted Face the Music' Leads Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  73. ^ "2021 GOLDEN REEL AWARD WINNERS". MPSE.org. Motion Picture Sound Editors. April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  74. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (April 19, 2021). "MTV Movie & TV Awards Nominations: 'Emily In Paris', 'WandaVision' & 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Deadline. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  75. ^ "52nd NAACP Image Awards: The Nominees". NAACPImageAwards.net. NAACP signage Awards. February 2, 2021. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  76. ^ Hipes, Patrick (July 13, 2021). "Emmy Nominations: 'The Crown', 'The Mandalorian' Top List; HBO/HBO Max Edges Netflix For Top Spot – Full List Of Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  77. ^ Hill, Libby (March 8, 2021). "'Bridgerton' and 'Ted Lasso' Among PGA Awards TV Nominees". Indiewire. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  78. ^ "2020 Nominees". PressAcademy.com. International Press Academy. February 1, 2021. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  79. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". SAGAwards.org. Screen Actors Guild. February 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  80. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (July 15, 2021). "'Ted Lasso' Scores the Most 2021 TCA Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  81. ^ "ROSE D'OR 60th anniversary nominations announced". Rose d'Dor. November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  82. ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Grammy Awards. November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""