Bridgerton: the real diamond of the season

Attending balls and meeting Princes sounds like a fairy tale. However, what happens if you add a modern spin to a classic romance? What would the outcome be?

Bridgerton.

This is the new Netflix series that has become another binge-worthy programme. With elements from timely classics such as, Sense and Sensibility and Downton Abbey mixed with a modern-day persona, it is easy to see why so many love this new series. Even if it is cliché in parts, its lighthearted approach is definitely something everyone wants right now and I can see why this programme has claimed its right to popularity.

The subtle hints of the modern day era are even heard in the music choices, throwing the historically accurate Mozart out of the window. Bridgerton becomes a cacophony of string orchestras playing everything from Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next to Billie Eilish’s bad guy.

Set in the 1813 Regency England, Bridgerton follows wealthy families and their bids to find their daughters rich suitors to marry. It does partly sound like any other romance from that period, however the programme lends itself to more modern tastes. It speaks volumes of female oppression, misogyny and sexuality in an era where women were expected to have escorts if they wished to leave parties and marry for money rather than love.

Based on Julia Quinn’s novel The Duke and I and the plethora of books in the series, it follows Daphne (played by Phoebe Dynevor, or as fans of the programme will know, 'the diamond of the season') and her soon-to-be love interest Simon (played Regé-Jean Page) who is formerly known as ‘the Duke’. What I love about these two, who are the heart of the programme, is that they speak volumes of the struggle of love, but also love itself.

We see Daphne grow from innocence to find her sexual awakening as a young woman, something that other shows fail to focus on. We are also shown how women struggled to fight against the gender gap. Bridgerton also speaks of societal pressures and the need to attain the right image, as reputation was key amongst the aristocrats of 1813 London.

However, what is a programme without scandal?

‘Lady Whistledown’, narrated by the brilliant Julie Andrews, adds the element of drama and secrecy to the programme, similar to shows such as Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl. Unlike those programmes, Bridgerton doesn’t leave you in the dark on a cliff-hanger or make up some weird conclusion as to who ‘Lady Whistledown‘ is. Instead, it tells you truthfully who it is, and I was shocked because the reveal was brilliant.

So, if you haven’t already watched the programme (because what else is there to do in lockdown?) then you need to watch this classic modern romance which is the real diamond of the season!

Edited by Hannah Youds