Shonda Rhimes (executive producer of Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and How to Get Away with Murder) helped produce yet another addicting show on Netflix titled “Bridgerton.” As a British period drama, it has enough romance, humor, and scandal to keep viewers interested in what may happen next.
*SPOILERS AHEAD
Based on the popular book series by Julia Quinn, eight siblings are navigating love and societal expectations during the regency era in London. Meanwhile, a gossip columnist named “Lady Whistledown” is spilling all of the town’s secrets.
The Bridgertons are a noble family with eight siblings named in alphabetical order: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Franchesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Their family dynamic is fascinating to watch, given how they may constantly bicker but are always there to protect each other.
Fair warning though, this show isn’t something that you would want to watch with your family as some episodes have steamy sex scenes. Think of it as a mix between the shows “Shameless” and “Gossip Girl.”
The first season focuses on new debutante Daphne Bridgerton and her quest for an authentic romance. After having some challenges, she and Duke Simon Basset create a scheme to pretend they are in love in the hopes of finding her better suitors. Instead, they fall in love in the process, and given their incredible chemistry; you can’t help but ship this passionate couple.
One thing that I truly enjoyed about this show is the amount of diversity in the cast. For example, Queen Charlotte, Duke Simon Basset, and Lady Danbury are all black aristocrats who have the most powerful positions in that society. Although some people may say that it is not “historically accurate” as it was in the 1800s, it was refreshing not to see the characters enslaved or in servitude like in other period dramas.
Some of the societal expectations addressed in the show remind me of issues within our community. In “Bridgerton,” women who have sexual relations or have a child without being married is a scandal that would ruin their reputation and life forever. However, men could do whatever they please and are called a “rake” or, in other terms, a player.
In today’s society, women are labeled as “sluts” and men receive praise for having the same amount of sexual relations. Although the double standard situation does not compare to the past and its consequences, it is mindful to know how the past and present may resemble.
On Wednesday, Netflix announced that Bridgerton is the platform’s fifth biggest launch in history. Season 1 has been watched by a record 82 million households around the world since its Dec. 25 release.
Overall, “Bridgerton” has a beautiful love story, relatable side characters, incredible classical renditions of pop music, and iconic moments that make you want to binge-watch it within two days. So if you haven’t watched the show yet, you must make haste.
Here’s what the FAU community is saying about the show:
*This show review was also published in my blog @theunrivaledgypsy_
The Paradigm Press 
I love Bridgerton! They are based off of books, I highly recommend to read them!
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