Well, dear readers, it is done- I binge watched Bridgerton yesterday! (And started it over again, if I’m honest.) Bridgerton has been the talk of social media for months, and I’m so happy that it has finally arrived. 2020 has been a beastly year for most of us and we needed this. So, I’m going to share my thoughts now- warning, spoilers ahead for the whole season. My Bridgerton review is going to focus on the history behind the show, as well as changes they made from the books. Grab your teacups and your smelling salts, this is happening!
In case you missed it in the opening paragraph. Spoilers ahead- don’t read this post yet if you don’t want to be spoiled for Bridgerton.
And before you get into my Bridgerton review, please read my post on my defense of inaccurate period dramas and why I love them just the same!
The Bridgerton Series
If you are new to Bridgerton, the show is based on the Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn. They are a Regency romance series, with each of the Bridgerton siblings receiving their own book. This season is loosely based on the first book in the series, The Duke and I.
I read the books in October/November, and was thoroughly entertained. One of my favourite authors, Martha Waters (author of To Have and To Hoax, one of my favourite books of 2020) recommended them, and I’m so glad she did. I admit to being one of those people who didn’t give a second thought to historical romances but I adored the comedy of the Bridgerton family, as well as the machinations of the ton. (Lesson learned: open your mind, and consider new genres!)
Regency Society
In many ways, Bridgerton does a wonderful job of showing the excitement of a London season in the Regency period. People tend to have a very prim and staid idea of what life was like in the Regency, largely from Austen’s books. However, Austen’s books weren’t set in London or during the season, and it is only one part of life. The ton, or the upper 10,000 people in Regency society, came together in London each year to see and be seen, and to find a life partner and make connections. Continually parties, balls, teas, promenades, evenings at the club, and more kept society busier than ever. Bridgerton doesn’t really show you the quieter side of life, but it certainly shows the excitement of the London season!
Race in Bridgerton
One of the biggest changes Bridgerton has made is the inclusion of different races. This Regency society is a mixed race society, and I think it has absolutely made a more interesting story. In Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte is a Black woman, and upon her marriage to King George III, separate Black and White societies mixed. I love that they actually built this into the world of Bridgerton, and addressed it. It also means that any and all actors were considered, and there isn’t an actor/character that I would recast. And to anyone who tries to criticise this, I remind you that this is a fictional story, and a show made for entertainment!
Artistic Choices
So, when the Bridgerton trailer came out, IMMEDIATELY fashion historians and critics took out their pitchforks to decry the fashion. Lady Featherington has a very Edwardian silhouette, and the whole Featherington family wears prints and colours you wouldn’t have in the Regency. And many of the hairstyles are also not Regency. However, they clearly are very strong artistic choices. Nothing in Bridgerton was done by accident- there were several reputable historical consultants who would have gone over the actual history of it, so these choices were made purposefully. Bridgerton isn’t a documentary, and it doesn’t claim to be anywhere!
Many of the locations were appropriate Regency buildings and locations, so I think that liberties elsewhere are more than fine. (I will have a post up in the beginning of the new year on Bridgerton filming locations!) I think that balancing things out like this works well in a show like this. The accurate locations provide that Regency backbone that allows for more freedom in other areas.
Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte is one of the biggest changes from the books. Or, er, she’s not really in the books at all. I can’t remember her even being mentioned, but she might have been name-dropped in one of the earlier books. That’s about it. She plays a large role in society in Bridgerton. It makes sense why, given her mixed race marriage with George in the show. However, I would have loved to see their children as well, as they were fairly outrageous and entertaining themselves.
I haven’t read a Charlotte of Mecklinburg-Streltitz biography, but I don’t know that she was quite so fixated on gossip and scandal. (I could be wrong- I’m going to keep researching this.) At one point, she is snorting snuff, and ordering people about for entertainment. The general image of Charlotte is a quieter woman, coping with the reality of a husband lost to his mental health issues. However, I had to remind myself that this is an alt-history Queen Charlotte, and not to compare her to the historical figure!
Different Personalities to the Books
What would a Bridgerton review be without the books? This is only relevant if you have read the books, so skip ahead if you haven’t. (The show can very much be enjoyed without reading them!) They have made personality changes to the four eldest Bridgertons, and I’m not 100% sure why. Anthony, the eldest and head of the family, is infamously a rake in the books. However, in the show, he is in love with his mistress and her alone. Benedict, the second eldest, hasn’t changed per se, but we get to see more of him being lost- in the books, he came off to me as a spoiled brat, but this gives more context.
Colin, next in line, is a happy traveller, with feet itching to leave again as soon as he comes home, well into his 30s. However, this Colin is looking for marriage in his early 20s- quite a change. And Daphne. The show has made her into a “Diamond of the First Water”, aka an incomparable beauty. In the book, she is more of the girl next door who is ignored by everyone for being just a friend rather than a potential wife. I found book Daphne to be quite bland, so I think that this change certainly made her more interesting.
And finally, Marina. Making Marina a Featherington cousin rather than a Bridgerton cousin certainly changes her trajectory, and Eloise’s, as well. This was the one storyline I didn’t love- does every Regency story have to have an out-of-wedlock pregnancy? We’ll see how they handle the change for Sir Philip and Eloise in future seasons, but this does put things in a spin on that front. (Possibly to differentiate between the books and show even further?)
Final Thoughts
To put it bluntly, Bridgerton is the perfect escapism that we need to finish off 2020. This is a rich and lush Regency world, and the characters keep you hooked from the start. Eloise is my favourite Bridgerton sibling, and I’m so glad that she was given more face time in the show. (Compared to The Duke and I, at least.) The mystery of Lady Whistledown is played up perfectly, and it is woven into the arcs without being distracting. If you are looking for a historically faithful Regency period drama, Bridgerton is not for you. But if you want entertainment? You are in for a treat.
Do you agree with my Bridgerton review?
Cheers,
The Historian
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I read these books awhile ago. Queen Charlotte was not a focus but Prinny was. Some of the storylines come from if the “male line” dies out that Prinny will seize the estates, titles and the women left with nothing. Hence, why the heir to the Earldom looks like the footman (masquerade party scene.)
I’m hoping/assuming the personality changes are do to sequels. It was one of the good thing Julia Quinn does in her writing. She makes even her most disreputable characters likable. Otherwise, how would you get into the next book based on them. I am going to withhold judgement on all of the characters because obviously the focus is on “The Duke and I”. It was nice that each character was given story time.
Glad, they did not touch Eloise as much but I am a little worried about her storyline. They really focused the unwed mother thing which got a little old. I think that was also to give clues for Mrs. Whistkedown’s true identity which I already knew.
I do love that all these virgins know that these guys are rakes but I have no idea what that precisely and/or physically means. haha Saw your post about googling where do babies come from. Funny and sad at the same time.
It was great to have the easter egg (quickly mention) “The Mallet of Death”.
I would recommend for people that like the show to read the books. They are entertaining, round out the characters, give more intimacy while keeping the sex and Quinn does try to maintain historical accuracy.