No spoilers.
For all period drama addicts out there, Bridgerton is being hailed as Gossip Girl meets the Regency era in a funnier, faster, more glamorous and a little bit sexier series which, as the producers promised, is not your grandmother’s period piece as you’ve known it all your life.’ None other than Dame Julie Andrews — much to the shock of her fans — does an 1800’s Gossip Girl-style narration, playing the role of the anonymous columnist Lady Whistledown, the author of scandalous London society pages.
While Netflix’s Pakistani viewership is busy escaping the pandemic attending Regency era styled weddings, Bridgerton, the perfect eight-episode pandemic-escape, arrived on Christmas day intended for UK and American audiences told to stay home for Christmas sans extended family.
Number one: Seductive period drama in technicolour
Shonda Rimes’ production company Shondaland’s first big project with Netflix is inspired by American author Julia Quinn’s best-selling romance book series set in England’s Regency era in the early 1800’s. Season 1 of Bridgerton is based on The Duke and I, the first book in the Bridgerton series. It follows Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) who is a Regency debutante, ready to make her formal debut into society and be presented at court. She is all set to attract the right match at the start of the social season, and is introduced to the handsome and gruff Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), a bit of a Mr Darcy if there was one.
The reviews are going nuts for breakout star Regé-Jean Page, 2021’s new McDreamy! Page trained at Drama Centre London, where top actors like Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, and Pierce Brosnan also learnt the art of acting.
Back to Mr Darcy… so, yes, period drama addicts, Jane Austen lovers, Eng. Lit majors, Regency romance junkies, you know what I am talking about. While Jane Austen gave us well-intended social commentary of the times she lived in and was at the forefront of a literary feminist revolution along with writers like the Brontes and Mary Shelley, Julia Quinn’s books, first published in 2000, are a wide-eyed, American interpretation of Regency England and may not be every period drama fan’s cup of tea! However, I have truly liked Shondaland’s eloquent reinterpretation of the books, bringing out the wit and sexiness — as opposed to the repression the period is known for. Wildly controversial scenes in the book, as well as the Netflix series makes this an unabashedly sexy romance. This seductive period drama in technicolour will strike a chord with every viewer for swoon-worthy, out-there emotion. ‘If I were truly courting you, I would not need flowers, only five minutes alone with you in a drawing room,’ says the Duke of Hastings. Swoon right there! Takes me back to courtship in Pakistan in the 1990’s which was really so Regency era— when Pakistan men were just too chicken to make you swoon in a formal setting!
Number two: The upbeat music
I’ve really enjoyed two aspects of music in the series. First, the instrumentals played by the Vitamin String Quartet, an American music group who say they’re not a traditional string quartet but ‘apply a rock ’n’ roll attitude to a traditional technique.’
These covers for Bridgerton are fabulous: Thank You, Next’ by Ariana Grande; ‘Girls Like You’ by Maroon 5; ‘In My Blood’ by Shawn Mendes; and ‘Bad Guy’ by Billie Eilish.
The show’s original score has been created by Emmy-award-winning composer Kris Bowers for Lakeshore Records who have released Bridgerton — Music From the Netflix Original Series which can be heard on YouTube featuring the show’s original score.
Bowers has also composed two more covers; a beautiful and haunting instrumental rendering of ‘Strange’ by British singer-songwriter Celeste (feat. Hillary Smith), and ‘Wildest Dreams’ by Taylor Swift cover by Duomo.
Second, original songs in the series rock! Like ‘The End Song’ which is actually ‘The End’ by JPOLND — lovely piece.
Number three: The colour blind casting
Historical accuracy be damned, but Shondaland’s colour blind casting makes this series a lot more fun and unashamed of its joy! ‘It’s great to include all people in storytelling in the 21st century,’ said one of the cast members in an interview. So true! A willing suspension of disbelief is the perfect literary tool which Shondaland asks us to employ to believe what is happening and enjoy the show. Actually all entertainment asks this of its viewers — for Bridgerton, you take that extra step into fantasy!
From the creators of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, Season 1 of Bridgerton has given us new ways of looking at a historic period. Featuring empowered female leads and re-examining what masculinity was at the time have been steeped into a fun Christmas drama. Shondaland has lucked out in successfully portraying the universality of human emotion overpowering colour and historic accuracy. Love is love and people want to see satisfying love stories. Enjoy the series for what it is, don’t overthink it much! Downton Abbey on marijuana. Maybe…
