Trailer:
Shondaland has done it again and this time she is taking us to Regency London for her latest TV adaptation, “Bridgerton.” Based on the early 2000’s romance book series by the same name, “Bridgerton,” is essentially "Dowtown Abbey' meets "Gossip Girl" plus lots of…. spice.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s set the scene. “Bridgerton” takes place in 18th Century London where the Viscounts and Nobles parade around women to court during the season. The series centers around two noble families, The Bridgertons and the Featheringtons. While the Bridgerton Family is seen as the esteemed family many want to be married into, the Featherington's come across very similarly to Cinderella's Evil Step-Mother and Step-Sisters.
Each season releases new women into the dating circuit and it is of the upmost importance that these ladies find their matches or else become social outcasts. As young women and men begin to court each other, all the latest drama is reported through a mysterious and anonymous author, Lady Whistledown (Julie Andrews). Producing a weekly gossip column, Lady Whistledown calls out every scandal that she witnesses. Whistledown is not pictured in the series, but instead acts as the unseen and all-knowing narrator. Her commentary sets the series in motion.
The Series follows the Bridgerton family composed of seven siblings, all named alphabetically starting with: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Gregory and Hyacinth. We start with the fourth eldest sibling, Daphne as she enters the social scene looking for a match and a husband.
Daphne enters the social season as the “rose,” appointed by the Queen herself. But when she receives less suitors (gentlemen callers) than expected, she begins to worry that she will never find a husband. Enter, the Duke (swoon). The Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) arrives in London at the perfect time, to swoop Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) off her feet. The Duke and Daphne’s eldest brother, Anthony, were good friends at University and when the Duke returns to London to deal with family matters, he becomes quite taken with the eldest Bridgerton sister, Daphne.
While their love match is one that takes time, Lady Whistledown’s comments and speculations force the couple together through rather unusual circumstances and puts their love to the test.
The series is a historical period piece, but with flare. The whimsical style of the series flashes through ostentatious colors and elaborate balls where suitors must court young women through dance and conversation, no touching allowed. While this may sound like a boring Jane Austen piece, it is far from it. The series features pop-iconic songs set to the violin. It's not a surprise to see Daphne and Simon waltzing to Ariana Grande's "Thank U Next" in the ballroom or having sex in the rain to Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams." Shonda took extra care to try to bring "Bridgerton" into a more modern viewing experience.
The book series it was adapted from was a Romance Series by Julia Quinn, which means that it brings the heat. Specifically, starting in Episode 5 and beyond. Although the series takes place where suitors and ladies are not able to touch and kiss until married, do not worry, there is plenty of…spice to keep audiences entertained.
The Series was adapted by Shona Rhimes, responsible for some of the most successful, and long-running, series of cable such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” and “Scandal.” “Bridgerton” marks Shonda’s first series brought to the streaming screen. While the book series consists of eight novels, one for each Bridgerton sibling, Season 1 of the Netflix Series focuses specifically on the romance between Daphne and the Duke of Hastings, Simon.
We are entering the part of the year where time does not exist, it is that precious week between Christmas and New Year’s where we spend much of it on our couches, binge-watching TV. Might I be so bold to recommend firing up your streamers to indulge in some Regency-Period Romance Drama with a hint of scandal?
And that’s the sitch.
Comentarios