Current Obsession: Bridgerton (TV Show)

What: Shondaland (Shonda Rhimes’ production company) brings us Gossip Girl meets the Jane Austen Universe with a dash of alternate history and the essence of feminist POV. 

Why: Sex, scandal, and set dressing to die for. (Set Decorator, Gina Cromwell, worked on Downton Abby and Outlander) You come for the romance and/or the diverse casting, and you stay (binging all day) for the captivating characters, and possibly the Featherton’s gowns--reminiscent of the step-sisters in the 1997 Cinderella with Brandy. Oh and the music, original score by Kris Bowers, and instrumental pop covers by Vitamin String Quartet. 

The show successfully balances staying true Regency era society rules and revealing the inner lives and “improper” subjects explored by the characters. For example, this show’s universe still operates under the premise that women of this time have one job, marry well and have children, however the women still get to be the most powerful characters in the story. They have candid honest conversations, and acknowledge that they do not all want what society tells them is their only value. It is a message that resonates with this viewer and I hope season 2 explores this in more depth, specifically with the characters Eloise and Penelope. 

Please note, for Jane Austen fans there is quite a lot of sex. For Grey’s Anatomy fans there’s a normal (?) amount of sex. This is not a family friendly regency era watch, please consider this rated R for sexual content. It is also, possibly, a trigger warning for people trying to conceive themselves. 

If you like Regency era romance novels, Jane Austen vibes, romance tropes like fake relationships that turn real, and/or historical stories with contemporary themes, make an 8 hour date with yourself to binge this asap.
Where: Netflix (trailer)