STORY- Wealth, lust, and betrayal set against Regency-era England’s backdrop, seen through the eyes of the powerful Bridgerton family.
REVIEW- Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusen clearly understands what the fans want. Very few are longing for a word for word recreation of Quinn’s series. They want a series that delivers all manners of romantic tropes in the most steamy, sizzling, and sensual way possible. It becomes a bit tricky to frame these in a well-written manner that’s faithful to the universe Quinn created. There’s a distinct difference between a storyline involving “fake dating” and one which is well written. Van Dusen exceeds those lofty expectations and opens up this world to new possibilities.
The series follows the exploits of the Bridgerton family. Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) enters London’s social season, determined to find a good match. Over the first season, we meet with colorful characters who make up high society. The Duke of Hastings, whose abs have almost as screentime as he does, Daphne’s oldest brother Anthony, who is having trouble balancing family obligations and an opera singer mistress, their younger sister Eloise who shows little interest in conforming to societal norms, and who could forget the Featherington’s who are in many ways the polar opposite of the Bridgerton’s. Mama Featherington (Polly Walker) preoccupies herself with attempting to find a suitable match for her three daughters.
We are introduced to new characters in Quinn’s universe. Thompson’s presence allows the show’s creator Chris Van Dusen to delve into new subject matters on top of complicating a fairly well-known storyline. Of course, no Bridgerton series would be complete without the gossip and tawdry musings of one Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews). For those who have read the series and wonder if her identity is revealed, it is, and to avoid Whistledown’s rath, that’s all I’ll say at the moment.
