The first season debuted on December 25, 2020. The second season premiered on March 25, 2022. The third season will premiere in two parts; the first is set to premiere on May 16, 2024, followed by the second on June 13, 2024.[1]
Set against the backdrop of the Regency era, the eight close-knit siblings of the noble and powerful Bridgerton family – Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth – navigate London high society in search of love, surrounded by friends and rivals alike.
As the 1813 social season begins, a scandal sheet written by the mysterious "Lady Whistledown" starts circulating London. Daphne Bridgerton makes her debut into society, and Queen Charlotte gives her high praise over other debutantes; this includes the three Featherington sisters, who later learn their distant cousin Marina Thompson will be staying with them for the season. Daphne's older brother Anthony, Viscount Bridgerton, drives away many potential suitors excepting the detestable Lord Berbrooke, and her popularity threatens to be eclipsed by Marina's, to the irritation of the Queen and Lady Featherington. Meanwhile, Simon Basset, the new Duke of Hastings and an old friend of Anthony, returns to London upon his father's death; his old acquaintance Lady Danbury coaxes him into joining the season, during which he encounters both Anthony and Daphne. After breaking up with his mistress, Siena Rosso, Anthony promises Daphne to Berbrooke, much to her horror. Lady Featherington confronts Marina, having deduced that she is pregnant. After following her from an event, Berbrooke accosts Daphne, and she punches him in self-defence; having arrived moments before, Simon suggests to her that they pretend to court, to enhance her prospects and free him from any of his own. Daphne agrees, and the new couple instantly draws attention from the ton.
Flashbacks reveal Simon's tragic childhood. After his mother died in childbirth, Simon's cruel father rejected him upon discovering his stammer. Lady Danbury came to his aid, supervising his education and helping him to overcome his speech issues. As revenge for his father's negligence, Simon vows to him at his deathbed that he will never sire an heir. In the present, the Queen grows more frustrated with Lady Whistledown's writings. Penelope Featherington shares her confusion with Eloise Bridgerton as to how a child is conceived; Marina is confined to her room by Lady Featherington but shares with Penelope that her pregnancy was caused by her love of a man named Sir George Crane, who is fighting in Spain. Simon and Daphne's ruse works perfectly, but Anthony is upset by Simon's supposed pursuit of his sister. When Simon tells Anthony what Lord Berbrooke tried to do to Daphne, Anthony breaks his agreement with Lord Berbrooke, but Berbrooke acquires a special marriage license and threatens to ruin Daphne's name. Lady Bridgerton intervenes, and is able to influence Lady Whistledown to reveal a scandal that forces Berbrooke to leave London.
3
3
"Art of the Swoon"
Tom Verica
Leila Cohan-Miccio
December 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Daphne turns down multiple proposals as she grows closer to Simon. Lady Featherington tries to find a match for Marina, but she insists on waiting for word from George. 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, and Simon reluctantly calls off the fake courtship. Benedict Bridgerton suspects Eloise of being Lady Whistledown, but instead learns they are both dissatisfied with their prospects. Anthony tries to reconcile with Siena, but she turns him down. Marina receives a letter from George stating his refusal to take responsibility for her child, but unbeknownst to Marina, the letter was forged by Lady Featherington. Lady Bridgerton pushes Anthony to think about a match for himself. Simon decides to leave London early as a heartbroken Daphne embraces Prince Friedrich's attentions.
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 off quickly. Eloise resolves to uncover Lady Whistledown's identity. Daphne attends a boxing match with Prince Friedrich. Marina is forced to entertain an elderly suitor and is saved by Colin Bridgerton, one of her many early admirers. Prince Friedrich prepares to propose at a sumptuous fete, but an undecided Daphne flees to the garden, where Simon approaches her to say goodbye and apologize. Overwhelmed and upset, Daphne runs into a hedge maze; Simon follows, and the two share a passionate impromptu kiss, but are discovered by Anthony. Anthony furiously demands that the two marry, and when Simon refuses, he challenges him to a duel at dawn. Penelope is crushed by Colin's interest in Marina, having secretly loved him for some time, and this inadvertently causes her to 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, and deduces that as long as he cannot repay them, their daughters will be deprived of dowries and they will be forced to continue accommodating Marina. 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 claims 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.
5
5
"The Duke and I"
Sheree Folkson
Joy C Mitchell
December 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Despite Simon's extreme dissatisfaction with the whole arrangement, Daphne and Simon petition for a special marriage license, but are refused due to the Queen's ire at Daphne rejecting her nephew. Prince Friedrich visits Daphne for closure. Anthony promises to take care of Siena no matter what, but her friend, the modiste Genevieve Delacroix, claims she has left town. As money issues plague the Featherington home, Penelope grows more jealous of Colin's interest in Marina and wary of Marina's motives. Cressida and Daphne confront each other, and Daphne warns Cressida against threatening a future duchess. Benedict is invited to a party by the artist Sir Henry Granville. Lady Featherington orders Marina to stop pursuing Colin, but Marina assures her she has a plan. Simon and Daphne appeal to the Queen for an early wedding; with King George growing more incapacitated, the Queen is moved by Simon's sudden declaration of love for Daphne and impassioned plea to marry her. Simon and Daphne are married in a simple church ceremony. Following an unsuccessful attempt to seduce him, Marina receives a proposal from Colin at the wedding reception, but is dismayed to learn he wishes for a long engagement. The Queen takes interest in Eloise's investigation into Lady Whistledown's identity. Lady Bridgerton attempts to enlighten Daphne about what will happen on her wedding night, but her vague metaphors leave Daphne with more questions than answers. On their way to Clyvedon, Simon's family home, he and Daphne spend the night at an inn. Daphne finally confronts Simon over his indifference towards her, spurring him to confess that his declaration of love before the queen was genuine; Daphne reveals that she feels the same, and despite Daphne's lack of awareness, the pair consummate their marriage.
Simon and Daphne arrive at Clyvedon for their honeymoon and spend a huge amount of time together both romantically and sexually. Daphne has difficulty building a relationship with Clyvedon's housekeeper Mrs. Colson, who is quietly dismayed at Daphne's disinterest in following protocol, as are the local villagers when Daphne refuses to name a winner of a pig contest at the fair. Colin announces his engagement to Marina, to the dismay of his family and Penelope. Penelope attempts to change Colin's mind by telling him Marina is in love with another man, but he is unbothered and suggests to Marina that they should marry sooner than planned by traveling to Scotland. Simon turns his attention to the books after hearing that his tenants' rent has increased, while Daphne is told that she offended the village by not selecting a winning pig, as the winner would have been chosen as a supplier to Clyvedon. Daphne requests help with her role from Mrs. Colson, who reveals more to her about Simon's upbringing. Penelope deduces that George's letter was faked, but Marina chooses to marry Colin anyway, intending to move on from George. Penelope's defensiveness over Colin makes Marina realize she loves him; she bluntly condemns Penelope's feelings and instructs her to accept that Colin will never love her as he loves Marina, reducing Penelope to tears. With the help of her lady's maid, Daphne figures out that Simon could have children if he chose to, but is deliberately withdrawing early to avoid impregnating her. Later, while having sex with Simon, she holds him down so he cannot withdraw, and confronts him afterward, accusing him of lying to her about being infertile. Just as Colin and Marina prepare to elope, Lady Whistledown's latest publication reveals Marina has been pregnant since before she arrived in London.
Simon and Daphne's dispute continues, and Daphne decides to return to London to assist in undoing the scandal surrounding her brother. Simon willingly joins her, but now wishes to live separately from Daphne if she is not with child. Eloise begins preparing for her debut whilst continuing to investigate Lady Whistledown, now desiring to convince her to restore the Featherington name. Daphne arranges a chaperoned meeting for Colin and Marina, where Colin is devastated to learn Marina was using him to secure a future for her baby. The Queen grows irritable at Eloise's failure to uncover Lady Whistledown and later throws the Featheringtons out of her luncheon due to their role in Marina's scandal. Lady Danbury invites Daphne to a lively party with the married women of the ton, where Daphne enlists the help of a general's wife in the hope of locating Sir George. To settle his debts, Lord Featherington approaches boxer Will Mondrich to convince him to throw his next fight; Will considers it, as the money Lord Featherington has offered could ensure his family's security. Anthony and Simon come to blows over Daphne, while Daphne learns Simon swore to his father he would not have children, but still does not understand why. Eloise concludes that Genevieve Delacroix is the most likely candidate for Lady Whistledown's true identity. Marina attempts to induce a miscarriage, and Penelope finds her unconscious. At the opera, Daphne learns she is menstruating and is therefore not pregnant; she cries in her mother's arms, with Simon in earshot.
8
8
"After the Rain"
Alrick Riley
Chris Van Dusen
December 25, 2020 (2020-12-25)
Sir Phillip Crane arrives to tell Marina that his brother, George, died in battle, and gives her a half-finished letter which reveals George intended to marry her. Phillip offers to marry Marina himself, but she turns him down believing she has ended her pregnancy. Eloise confronts Genevieve and, believing her to be Lady Whistledown, tries to covertly convince her to write in the Featheringtons' favor. Daphne learns of Simon's childhood from Lady Danbury, and finds letters Simon wrote to his father as a child that were never read. Simon reconsiders what he wants after spending time with Daphne's younger siblings. Anthony invites Siena to a ball at Daphne and Simon's London house, but after consideration, Siena informs Anthony that she is content with her life as it is and that he should move on. Ahead of Will's boxing match, Lord Featherington makes a bet against him with ill-reputed bookmakers; Will throws the fight and receives his half of Lord Featherington's winnings, while the latter is subsequently murdered by his "associates". Marina discovers she is still pregnant, and departs London to marry Phillip after all. Penelope appears to consider professing her love to Colin, but before she can, he reveals he is leaving for Greece and thanks her for warning him about Marina. The Queen's agents attempt to capture Lady Whistledown, but Eloise tips her off, allowing her to flee. After Daphne reveals she knows about the cruel behaviour of Simon's father, the two reconcile during their ball. Anthony announces that he has decided to marry, but does not intend to fall in love. Eloise realizes that Genevieve cannot be Lady Whistledown since she has left for France, and the writer is revealed solely to the audience to be Penelope. In a flash-forward, Daphne and Simon have their first child, a son.
Anthony starts seeking a wife and immediately becomes one of the season's most eligible bachelors. He meets with several eligible ladies, but no prospects intrigue him. Eloise is set to make her debut in society, but her presentation to the queen is interrupted by the return of Lady Whistledown's scandal sheets. On a morning ride, Anthony meets a young woman he later learns is Miss Kate Sharma. Lady Danbury has sponsored the Sharma family for the season, and Kate and her stepmother, Lady Mary, aim to find Mary's accomplished daughter Edwina a husband. Edwina wants a love match but is unaware, unlike Kate, that Mary's noble parents have offered access to the family fortune on the condition that she marry a peer. Kate overhears Anthony proclaiming to a group of other gentlemen that he does not care if he loves his wife so long as she is agreeable. The queen names Edwina the season's diamond, and Anthony resolves to make her his wife. Meanwhile, Portia struggles with her family's finances before the new Featherington heir, Jack, arrives in London.
10
2
"Off to the Races"
Tricia Brock
Daniel Robinson
March 25, 2022 (2022-03-25)
Edwina has drawn the eye of several suitors, and Kate has taken charge of deciding which ones Edwina will meet. To Anthony's dismay, she is staunchly against Anthony courting her. Colin returns from his travels, while Eloise becomes intrigued with finding out Lady Whistledown's identity once again. After learning that Edwina will be at the horse races accompanied by another lord, Anthony takes his family and manages to ingratiate himself with Edwina. Queen Charlotte plans to use Edwina to unmask Lady Whistledown and invites the Sharmas to the palace. Benedict entertains the prospect of studying art. Anthony impresses Edwina with a speech at a soiree hosted by Lady Danbury, much to Kate's dismay. Mme. Delacroix catches Penelope at the market.
11
3
"A Bee in Your Bonnet"
Alex Pillai
Sarah L. Thompson
March 25, 2022 (2022-03-25)
In a flashback to ten years prior, the late viscount Edmund Bridgerton goes hunting with Anthony. When they arrive back at the house, Edmund is stung by a bee and dies. Subsequent flashbacks portray Violet's grief in the aftermath of Edmund's death and the pressure Anthony faced in becoming the new viscount. In the present day, the Bridgertons are at their country estate preparing for their prestigious annual ball, and Anthony has invited the Sharmas to stay for a few days ahead of the party. Along with Kate and Edwina, the siblings play a spirited game of pall-mall that results in Anthony and Kate muddying up their clothing while retrieving balls in the woods. To Kate's dismay, Anthony charms Edwina and tries to propose at dinner but backs out at the last moment. Benedict is accepted at the Royal Academy Schools while Eloise becomes interested in women's rights. Fearing that Jack will marry Cressida Cowper and oust the Featherington women from their home, Portia plots to have Prudence marry him. Penelope recruits Mme. Delacroix to be part of the Lady Whistledown scheme. In the gardens of Aubrey Hall, Kate is stung by a bee, causing Anthony to panic; the two almost kiss.
12
4
"Victory"
Alex Pillai
Chris Van Dusen & Jess Brownell
March 25, 2022 (2022-03-25)
Guests begin arriving at Aubrey Hall for the Bridgerton ball. Unaware of their mutual attraction, Edwina encourages Kate to spend time with Anthony, thinking Kate's disapproval keeps him from proposing. Kate goes on a hunt with the men, where she and Anthony share another physical moment. Colin visits Marina, now Lady Crane, and meets her new husband. Marina's marriage is not happy, but she tells him to move on and that there are others that deserve his attention. Daphne tries to get to know Edwina but is unconvinced that she is a good match for Anthony. Portia arranges for Jack and Prudence to be caught alone to force them into marriage, but Jack reveals that he is secretly penniless and had been planning to marry Cressida for her fortune. Daphne catches Anthony and Kate in a compromising position in the library and urges Anthony to be honest with his feelings. As the Sharmas prepare to depart for London, Anthony proposes to Edwina, and she accepts.
Queen Charlotte heartily approves of Anthony and Edwina's engagement and even offers to sponsor the wedding. Both families go to promenade; Anthony becomes jealous when Kate goes on a boat ride with another man. Eloise sneaks out to Bloomsbury to attend a meeting about equal rights and meets Theo Sharpe, an assistant at Lady Whistledown's printer. Mary's parents, the Sheffields, visit London to meet Edwina, but at dinner, they display contempt for Mary and Kate, and their arrangement that Edwina should marry a nobleman comes to light. Defending all three of the Sharma women, Anthony orders the Sheffields to leave but is hesitant to continue the marriage; Kate convinces him to do so even as they admit to their feelings. Upon learning that several gentlemen are interested in investing in Jack's mines, Portia convinces him to take their money.
14
6
"The Choice"
Tom Verica
Lou-Lou Igbokwe
March 25, 2022 (2022-03-25)
Preparations are underway for Anthony and Edwina's wedding. Edwina feels that Anthony does not love her; Daphne tries to steer Anthony into calling it off to no avail. Kate offers her mother's bracelets for Edwina to wear, but her sister tells her to wear them instead. At the wedding, Kate and Anthony cannot help but stare at each other; when Kate drops her bracelet at the altar, Anthony rushes to help her. Edwina realizes there is more to their relationship and runs away from the altar. A furious Queen Charlotte has the guests stay in the garden as Edwina composes herself. Kate tries to explain herself to Edwina, and Anthony confirms he is intent on the marriage; Edwina eventually decides that she cannot marry him. Kate and Anthony are left alone in the church and kiss. In the chaos, Lady Danbury and Violet reconcile, Jack makes potential business connections, and Eloise takes the opportunity to visit Theo once again.
Following the failed wedding, the Bridgertons and Sharmas, along with Lady Danbury, are shunned by the ton despite their best efforts. Queen Charlotte accuses Eloise of being Lady Whistledown and gives her three days to come clean, or risk punishment for her family. Eloise confides this in Penelope; in an attempt to protect her, Penelope writes that Eloise has been seen fraternizing unchaperoned with political radicals. The news embroils the Bridgertons in further scandal and nobody arrives at the ball they are hosting. Colin considers investing with Jack. Kate and Anthony sleep together in a gazebo on the grounds; the next day, Anthony attempts to visit Kate but is told that she has departed on a horse. Anthony follows Kate into a rainstorm on horseback, but she is thrown from her horse and knocked unconscious. Anthony calls to her and rides to her. The last shot shows her lying on the wet ground with her head next to a rock.
16
8
"The Viscount Who Loved Me"
Cheryl Dunye
Jess Brownell
March 25, 2022 (2022-03-25)
Kate is still unconscious, and Lady Whistledown has been suspiciously quiet. Portia convinces Jack to host a ball to celebrate the family's recent successes and invites the Bridgertons and Sharmas; Jack considers moving to America to start over before their fraud is discovered. Eloise ends her friendship with Theo after Penelope falsely tells her that servants have been gossiping about them. Benedict learns that he was likely accepted to the Academy due to a donation from Anthony. Kate awakens from her coma, and Anthony proposes to her, but she declines, citing her desire to return to India. Edwina reconciles with Kate and convinces her to attend the ball. After Penelope points out a piece of gossip about two guests, Eloise realizes she is Lady Whistledown and the two argue, causing Eloise to cut all ties with Penelope. Portia turns on Jack and sends him back to America while keeping most of the funds he had gathered for herself. Penelope overhears Colin telling other gentlemen that he would never court her and cries about her long time crush rejecting her and the end of her friendship with Eloise. Kate and Anthony dance at the ball, but the Queen neatly saves their reputations by claiming that canceling the wedding was her idea. Anthony and Kate declare their love for one another. Penelope decides to continue on as Lady Whistledown. After traveling for six months, Kate and Anthony, now married, join the rest of the Bridgertons for another game of pall-mall at Aubrey Hall.
On July 20, 2018, Netflix announced that Shonda Rhimes, through her production company Shondaland, would produce the screen adaptation of the bestselling novels of the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, while Chris Van Dusen would serve as showrunner.[10] 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.[11] Season 1 of the show adapted The Duke and I, the first book of Quinn's series.
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."[12]
Season 2
Before the first season aired, the show was already in pre-production for a second season which was officially announced in January 2021.[13][14] It is focused on Anthony and based on the book The Viscount Who Loved Me.[15][14] On April 13, 2021, creator Van Dusen revealed on Twitter that the series had additionally been renewed for a third and fourth season.[16][17]
Season 3
Unlike the first two seasons, which followed the order of the book series, the third season will focus on Colin, based on Quinn's fourth novel Romancing Mister Bridgerton.[18] Jess Brownell will replace Van Dusen as writer and showrunner for the third and fourth seasons.[19][20]
Casting
Unlike the series of novels,[21]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."[22][23][24][25] 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."[26]
On January 21, 2021, it was announced that Jonathan Bailey would be reprising his role as Anthony and would be the center of the show's sophomore season. The following month, Simone Ashley had been cast as Kate.[30] On April 5, 2021, Charithra Chandran joined the cast as Edwina; Rupert Young joined to play a new character;[31]Shelley Conn was cast as Kate's stepmother and Edwina's mother, Mary; and Calam Lynch was cast as Theo Sharpe.[32] On May 28, 2021, Rupert Evans joined the cast as Edmund Bridgerton, the late patriarch of the Bridgerton family.[33]
Page did not return for the second season despite being asked to come back as he only signed a one-year deal and wanted to explore other opportunities outside the show.[34][35]
Season 3
In April 2022, Bailey and Ashley were confirmed to return for the third season as Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton, exploring their married life and duties as heads of the eponymous family.[36] The following month, Hannah Dodd was cast to replace Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton for the third season. Stokes exited the show due to scheduling conflicts with Lockwood & Co.[37] Chandran will not reprise her role as Edwina for the season.[38] In July 2022, Daniel Francis, Sam Phillips, and James Phoon were cast in undisclosed capacities for the third season.[39] In October 2022, Hannah New joined the cast as Lady Tilley Arnold.[40] In January 2023, Dynevor confirmed she will not appear in the third season, but remained open to returning "in the future".[4]
Filming
Season 1
Principal photography commenced in July 2019 and wrapped in late February 2020.[41]Bridgerton was filmed in London and Bath,[42] 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.[43]
Ranger's House is used as the exterior of the Bridgerton family's house in London
The costuming was led by Ellen Mirojnick and involved over two hundred people and five months of preparation to create 5,000 costumes.[49]
Season 2
Production on the second season began in March 2021.[50] In May 2021, it was reported that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead refused permission to build a film set for the second season in Sunninghill Park near Windsor, despite royal approval.[51] 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.[52] Production resumed in August 2021.[53] Production for the second season wrapped on November 20, 2021.[54]
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.[57]
In the second season, covers include Nirvana's "Stay Away" and Robyn's "Dancing On My Own" by Vitamin String Quartet, Madonna's "Material Girl," "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" from the soundtrack of the film of the same name and Calvin Harris' "How Deep Is Your Love" by Bowers. Also included are Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" and Pink's "What About Us" by Duomo, Harry Styles' "Sign of the Times" by Steve Horner, Rihanna's "Diamonds" by Hannah V and Joe Rodwell and Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" by Midnight String Quartet.[61] To promote the show, Morisette appeared in a video performing "You Oughta Know" with Duomo. When discussing the music of season two, music supervisor Justin Kramps explained that "even for these songs that are just huge songs that everyone knows, [an instrumental version] still breathes new life and brings them to a new audience, and in a different way. Pop is where we start, because it fits the style of the show, and it's often using these super-recognizable songs that just add a lot of joy, which is what pop does in general."[62]
Release
Season 1
The eight episodes of the first season of Bridgerton began streaming on Netflix on December 25, 2020.[63][64][65]
Season 2
A preview of a scene from season 2 aired during Netflix's September 2021 TUDUM: Extended Talent Panel,[66] which was followed by first look stills.[67] On February 14, 2022, the first teaser trailer for the second season was released.[68] A world premiere was held at Tate Modern on March 22, 2022, in London, England prior to the season's eight episodes being released on March 25, 2022.[69]
Due to a three-month commitment as the lead in the acclaimed West End play Cock, Jonathan Bailey had missed "press, talk shows, FYC events, and even the Met Gala" as part of the show's promotion.[70]
For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 87% based on 99 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."[71]Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 75 out of 100 based on 34 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[72]
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."[75]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"."[76]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."[77]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."[78] Erum Salam of Cosmopolitan wrote "I kept wanting more. I wanted more explanations of how race factored into this society..."[79] Carolyn Hinds from The Observer stated "Bridgerton has been praised as a racially diverse show set in the Regency Era."[80]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."[81]
The first season's 6th episode drew criticism with regard to the non-consensual nature of Simon and Daphne's lovemaking, which amounted to marital rape.[82][83] The episode depicts Daphne, while having sex with Simon, changing her position to be on top, preventing Simon from pulling out of her when he climaxes despite his objections, to ensure he impregnates her.[82] Described as one of the toxic plot points of their relationship, it further drew scrutiny due to the fact that the deceit was never addressed as sexual assault in the series.[84][85] Critics pointed out that it failed to acknowledge the difficulties of male victims of rape and the further fetishization of black men in media.[86][87]
Season 2
Pall-mall features as a pastime for the Bridgerton siblings in Season 2
For the second season, Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 77% based on 91 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's critics consensus states, "The risqué thrill may have faded, but Bridgerton remains a compulsive episode-turner in this delightful sophomore season."[73] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 70 out of 100 based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[74][88]
Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series an A− writing, "With a second season that's more clever, moving, and emotionally complex than the first, this period drama... proves that it's not just a titillating trifle."[89]The Hollywood Reporter's Angie Hahn echoed the sentiment describing the season as "older and wiser" than its predecessor's "rampant horniness" with an effective central romance that prioritized "a meeting of minds, played out over quick-witted arguments outside ballrooms and vicious competition during a friendly family game of pall-mall."[90]Peter Travers of ABC praised the season writing, "Kudos to season two for digging deeper into the emotional lives of its characters and continuing the colorblind casting that creates a utopia in which diversity is so ingrained it's hardly worth a mention."[91]
Alison Herman of The Ringer commented that Season 1 is "sexy without quite being erotic" while "Season 2 is the reverse. There's not a lot of sex, but in the crackling chemistry and relentless self-denial that defines Anthony and Kate's dynamic, there's plenty of eroticism."[92] Emma Clarke of The Independent argued that, "it is precisely the lack of physicality that makes this season (of the show and of courtship) so... well, sexy."[93] Scott Bryan of the BBC wrote that the season serves as antidote to the "always static, laboured and slow" period dramas, adding that it comes with "real energy, it feels so modern (even though it is set in the past) and even though it feels extravagant, it doesn't feel too highbrow. It is refreshingly accessible."[94]
Kevin Fallon of The Daily Beast elaborating on Bailey's "exquisite lead performance," wrote that "he has an exceptional ability to carry his angst, pain, and guilt with him without bogging down things into a somber drag."[95]The Telegraph' s Anita Singh wrote that Bailey "brings more soul to the role of Lord Bridgerton than Page ever did with the Duke,"[96] with Randy Myers of Mercury News adding that Bailey "has a gift at comedic timing."[97] Proma Khosla of Mashable concluded that with "Bailey and Ashley, Bridgerton Season 2 strikes gold" as they deliver "heaping, smoldering helpings of sexual tension" for "their chemistry is nothing short of explosive."[98]
On January 27, 2021, Netflix announced that 82 million households have watched at least two minutes of the season amounting to 625 million hours viewed. It was the most-watched original series launch on the service at the time of its premiere,[100][101][102] prior to being surpassed by Squid Game in October 2021.[103] Caroline Framke of Variety attributed this huge viewership to "the perfect storm of a perfectly timed premiere (Christmas Day of 2020), providing silly and sexy entertainment after the first terrible year of COVID."[104][2]
Season 2
Season 2 premiered on March 25, 2022, and debuted number one in 92 countries on the platform. It was also the most viewed show on United States television screens for three weeks per Nielsen Media Research.[88] Season 2 amassed 193 million viewing hours in its opening weekend, the highest opening for any English-language Netflix series at the time.[105] It also broke the record for most viewed English-language series in a single week at that time, with 251.74 million viewing hours from March 28 to April 3. The first season also re-entered Netflix's top ten in second place.[106] By April 19, Bridgerton's second season had overtaken its predecessor as the most watched English-language television series on Netflix at the time with 627.11 million hours viewed since its March 25, 2022, launch.[107] This viewing numbers went up to 656.16 million by the 28-day mark.[108]
Nielsen Media Research, analyzing the 2.55 billion minutes viewed on United States television screens in the first three days of season 2's availability (double all others across streamers for the week of March 21), characterized Bridgerton's audience as "diverse and broad". The firm found one third of viewers to be Hispanic or African American and an even split in popularity across the 18–34, 35–49, and 50–64 age groups at 25% each. The only exception was gender parity, with 76% of the audience reported to be female.[109][110] It added 3.2 billion minutes viewed in its second week on top of the chart.[111] It topped the chart for a third week with 1.6 billion minutes viewed.[112]
Bridgerton Season Two (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)(by Kris Bowers)
Nominated
Cultural impact
Fashion and interior design trends influenced or made popular by the series have been dubbed "Regencycore" or "the Bridgerton effect."[140]Lyst reported an increase in searches for items such as corsets, headpieces, and elbow-length gloves after the series' premiere. The series' female leads, Daphne and Kate, were also linked to a popularity in the colors sky blue and lilac respectively.[141][142] In 2021, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear wrote a concept album based on characters and situations in season 1 of the series titled The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, which won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.[143][144] After the two presented the songs from the album live in concert at the Kennedy Center in July 2022,[145] Netflix sued them for copyright infringement.[146]
To ring in the second season, an official "Queen's Ball" was held in Washington DC, Chicago, Montréal, and Los Angeles,[147] with similar events and experiences taking place in London and Johannesburg.[148][149]Bloomingdale's put together a Bridgerton-themed pop-up collection and tea bar, displaying real costumes from the series in the U.S. for the first time in its 59th Street windows.[150]
After season two featured the main characters playing pall-mall, a lawn game considered to be the precursor to croquet, retailer John Lewis reported a 90% rise in sales for croquet sets.[151] There was also a notable increase in internet searches and purchases of tiaras and corsets after season two's premiere.[152][153]
Stately homes around England saw an uptick in interest and visitors. Regarding Ranger's House, Chris Small of English Heritage said, "Since the launch of Bridgerton in 2020 we have seen many people who were previously unaware of the site inspired to visit."[154]Walking tours of the filming locations of the series have also been created, including an official one by Netflix.[155][156]Castle Howard opened an exhibition titled Castle Howard on Screen: From Brideshead to Bridgerton in May 2022.[157]
The 33rd seasonfinale episode of The Simpsons on May 22, 2022, featured Marge and her friends watching a period drama called "Tunnelton" with a Lady Whistledown-sounding narrator,[158] and a character emerging drenched from a lake, like Anthony in the fifth episode of the second season.[159][160]
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."[161] The Bridgerton family, Lady Whistledown, and most of the other characters in the show are fictional.[162][163][161]
The theory that Queen Charlotte may have had African ancestry has been called an unhistorical assertion by most scholars.[164][165][166] 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.[166] Some classical music pieces used in the first season were composed later than 1813, the year of the first season. Examples include Dmitri Shostakovich's Suite for Variety Orchestra, which was written sometime after 1956, and "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour" from Jacques Offenbach's 1881 opera The Tales of Hoffmann.[59]
Historians have pointed out inaccuracies in clothing, such as the show using corsets to represent the oppression placed on women in society instead of supportive undergarments they were considered as in the Regency era.[167] In a scene from season 1, Daphne is seen with bruises on her back from the corset; however, at the time it was common to wear a chemise under it to prevent this.[168] Fabrics and patterns appearing in the show are too modern compared to the ones used in the historical period in which the events are supposed to take place.[169]
In May 2021, Netflix ordered a limited prequel series from Shondaland to focus on young Queen Charlotte, a character who does not appear in the Bridgerton novels. Rhimes wrote the spin-off and served as executive producer alongside Betsy Beers and Tom Verica.[19]
In April 2022, production designer Dave Arrowsmith was fired from the series following allegations of abusive behavior and bullying on set.[173][174] In September 2022, Netflix announced that Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story would be the title for the series and released the first look.[175]
^"2020 Nominees". PressAcademy.com. International Press Academy. February 1, 2021. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
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