Period drama ‘Bridgerton’ is tantalizingly alluring
New series set in Regency-era England is first entry in Shonda Rhimes’ deal with Netflix.
The new Netflix series glitters with a charming cast, set in early 1800s London society.
There is something so tantalizingly alluring about the world of “Bridgerton.”
A ball every night, promenades in beautiful meadows, stolen glances in a moonlit garden – the upper classes of Regency-era England lived in a pretty, proper and privileged world. That melodramatic life of leisure, empire waistlines and the “marriage market” is brought to the screen with exquisite detail in Netflix’s resplendent new drama (streaming Friday, ★★★g).
A bodice ripper taken seriously by its writers and stars, “Bridgerton” is a marvelous first entry in power producer Shonda Rhimes’ Netflix deal. Created by Chris Van Dusen, who wrote for Rhimes’ “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal,” “Bridgerton” has the Rhimes sensibility with a unique historical flavor. There are pretty and diverse people, intense relationship dramas and a high-stakes setting as a backdrop. But “Bridgerton” has more romance, more rumor, and more nudity than a “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Scandal.”
Based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels, the series focuses on the Bridgerton family – rich, respected and known for their beautiful brood of nine children – and the lords and ladies of the upper class surrounding them in 1813 London society during the “social season.” There’s Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter who’s recently “come out” as a marriageable debutante; her elder brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), the over-protective head of the family; her bookish younger sister Eloise (Claudia Jessie); and their mother Violet (Ruth Gemmell), desperately trying to secure futures for her children.
On the other end of the society spectrum is the Featherington family, the trashiest, gaudiest members of the upper class, with a scheming matriarch, Portia (Polly Walker); an overlooked youngest daughter, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan); and a gorgeous but mysterious distant cousin staying in the house, Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker).
The balls and luncheons are watched over by the seemingly allknowing “Lady Whistledown,” author of 1813’s version of the “Gossip Girl” blog, who creates scandal and success in her gossip pamphlet. (The anonymous writer is delectably voiced by Julie Andrews).
Daphne is the series’ ingenue, a naîve woman who receives a crash course in politics, sex and love as she hunts for a husband. She would be a great match for the Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page), if he wasn’t so adamantly opposed to taking a wife. The two strike a pact to pretend they’re in courtship so she’ll draw the eyes of rich men jealous of her powerful suitor and Simon can politely ignore his would-be brides. It’s the perfect plan – if they don’t fall for each other in the process.