Ahhhhh good old Bridgerton. Have you seen it yet? Like many people across the UK, I have recently been rejoicing at the news that Bridgerton will indeed be back for a second season – hoorah! As a huge fan of the Bridgerton novels by Julia Quinn, I know that there is a whole load more thrilling content to come from the adventures of the Bridgerton family and can’t wait to see how they are adapted for ‘small’ screen.
If you haven’t watched Bridgerton yet (the first Netflix series was released in December 2020), then seriously, where have you been!?! You can hardly blame your busy social life – here’s what you need to know.
First released on Christmas Day, Bridgerton is based on the book the ‘Duke and I’ by Julia Quinn – the first in a series of not 2, not 3, but NINE books about the Bridgerton family. Set during the Regency era in England, we meet Daphne – who is determined to marry for love as opposed to simply being matched to the first suitor who shows her an interest. This goes against the grain of traditional in Londons’ Marriage Market – with normally women being matched to partners before they even share their first kiss.
Simon, The Duke of Hastings has also recently returned to town, and he, whilst clearly a very (VERY) eligible Batchelor, has absolutely no desire to marry. His father disowned him as a child, and the last promise he made to him on his death bed was that he would never marry and never provide him an heir.
The Duke and Daphne decide to help each other out, setting up a ruse that they are courting. This interest from the Duke suddenly heightens Daphnes level of desirability, allowing her the opportunity to find someone who she can really fall for. Trouble is, the more time she spends with The Duke, the more she starts to fall for him instead!
No spoilers here… but here are the 10 reasons why you MUST watch Bridgerton.
Shared anticipation
Of all the things I miss about lockdown, it’s those shared moments in the office where you chat about what you watched on TV the night before – the plot twists, the car crash moments, the scenes which had you on the edge of your seat. Literally EVERYONE is talking about Bridgerton, and it’s a great topic of conversation to have with those who you can’t physically be with during lockdown 3.0.
Lady Whistledown
Think a Regency style Gossip Girl and you’ve got Lady Whistledown – the unknown narrator and writer of the gossip column newspaper that can always be relied upon to discover the scandal that most of the other residents are desperate to keep hidden! Voiced by Julie Andrews, we have hints all the way through on what could be the true identity of Lady Whistledown -and I absolutely loved following Eloises’ mission to discover the truth!
The Cast
Bridgerton features a modern, diverse cast. Not only is the Duke Simon (Rege Jean-Page) incredibly smouldery, good looking and in incredible physical shape (let’s face it we will never look at someone licking a spoon again in quite the same light), but also stars some great actors and actresses including Brummie actress Eloise Bridgerton who plays sister Eloise and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope who you may recognise from Derry Girls. The character building is detailed and deep, meaning you become emotionally invested in characters and their unique, personal challenges.
The Outfits
Who doesn’t love admiring the outfits of period dramas? If you can get past the thrust up breasts (which at times look incredibly painful), the wigs and Daphne having the strangest fringe haircut ever known to man, the Bridgerton outfits are just stunning and it’s fantastic escapism to get whisked into another world for a while!
The sexual tension
Not your average period drama, the tension and build up here is edge of your seat stuff. From spoon licking, to promiscuous rendezvous and first sexual experiences, there is plenty within Bridgerton to get your pulse raised!
The Marriage Market
There is something incredibly amusing yet absolutely terrifying about the prospect of being paraded around like an item to be bid upon, before potential suitors literally turn up at your door to declare their intentions to marry. It’s been 10 years here and I still don’t have a ring on it, but with two children out of wedlock I’d have certainly bought shame to my family based on Bridgerton standards!
The Scandal
Think we’ve had it hard in 2021? Imagine growing up in an era where you become damaged goods the instant you lose any sense of purity? From hidden pregnancies to affairs, questions over sexual orientation and forbidden goods, Bridgerton loves a bit of scandal and you don’t always see it coming!
Characters going against the grain
Throughout Bridgeton, there are many characters who go against the grain in terms of their behaviour and lifestyle choices. Of all the characters, I personally bloody love Eloise – this is a woman who refuses to be labelled purely by her gender. Hair down, bust covered and a girl who loves to write – Eloise is a raging feminist fighting for women to be given the same opportunities as men.
The Anticipation
Will they, wont they, should they, could they!??! So mannnnnny questions!!!!
More to come….
Now that the first series has been boxset binged, it’s left a huge Duke shaped hole in our lives but knowing that there is more to follow is a real relief. If you cant wait till then and need to fill your Bridgerton void so to speak, you can check out the full range of Bridgerton books on Amazon now!
(Image of Bridgerton card available at moonpig.com)
Did you watch Bridgerton? What did you think?