If you didn’t stream “Bridgerton” over the weekend, one might be tempted to ask what caught your fancy during the long weekend. Shonda Rhimes teams up with Chris Van Dusen and makes magic with Netflix’s new period drama series “Bridgerton.” The series which is based on books by Julia Quinn debuted on 25 December and it is bound to be a hit.
If you like stories set around British aristocracy then you’ll like “Bridgerton.” The story revolves around two families, the Bridgertons and Featheringtons. It is set in the competitive world of Regency London high society, a time when young ladies who had been groomed for marriage were presented to the queen. A nod of approval from the queen instantly heightened the value of a young woman and contrarily, a sliver of disapproval could ruin the marriage chances of any young woman.
Amid it all, a mysterious high society magazine is introduced by an unknown Lady Whistledown. This unknown writer captivates all of high-society, including the queen, knowing their deepest secrets and speculating on likely matches. Also of interest is who would capture the eye of the most eligible bachelor, Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page).
The cast of “Bridgerton” is beautiful and diverse, as are the costumes. Love, secrets, scandal and gossip, this series has them all. The series also helps one appreciate how far women have come. From a time when women were exhibited as items to be purchased off a shelf, and when it was unheard of to have ambitions other than homemaking as Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) did. There is also the story of women like the opera singer Siena Rosso (Sabrina Bartlett) who were only good for men who wanted to sow their wild oaths but not marriage materials because they were not of nobility.
“Bridgerton” is captivating and made more so by the incredible Julie Andrews who does the voiceover for Lady Whistledown. Mid-way, one could guess the identity of Lady Whistledown, yet you will remain glued to the screen to see how the drama unravels.
