It has been over three weeks since Bridgerton debuted on Netflix, and oh boy, did it do well. The series has become the “talk of the town” because of its intriguing blend of modernity and history. Bridgerton is almost like a rebel to the period it is set in.
Bridgerton is a period drama that is based on the books written by Julia Quinn. Season 1 of the series revolves around the book “Duke and I,” which tells Daphne and Simon’s story.
Even though the show is set in historically accurate settings and locations, its characters are entirely fictional. Therefore, it is not based on any real-life events; however, otherwise, it may seem.
I will discuss it in detail, further in the article. Keep reading to know more. But before we jump into the good part,
1. Is Bridgerton Based on A True Story?
As much as it would seem otherwise, Bridgerton is not based on a true story. Quinn has stated multiple times in her interviews about the books that the characters are her brainchild.
There were no Bridgertons, or Featheringtons for that matter, in the actual Regency London high society. The only historically existing character in the series would be Queen Charlotte and King George III (along with his mental illness, deeming him unfit to rule in real life.)
However, it is set in historically accurate settings and locations. And many aspects, such as the style and traditions, were also based on real historical accounts.
The “marriage market,” however weird it may be to us GenZ, was also a very real thing during the Regency era of London high society. And so were the scandal sheets that circulated among the gossipmongers and readers, minus a certain famous and witty female, who called herself “Lady Whistledown.”
Bridgerton has managed to incorporate the real life details pretty well in Daphne and Simon’s fictional tale to the extent that it is almost hard to believe that the characters are, in fact, fictional.
2. Does it Follow Julia Quinn Books?
Yes! Bridgerton (Season1) follow the Julia Quinn books (Duke and I) to great accuracy. It might not be a stretch to say that it is one of the most accurate small screen portrayals of a book.
But of course, we can’t expect every single detail of the book to be portrayed on screen. The showrunners slightly changed some details in the series (and honestly, I’m not complaining).
These minor/major differences between the books and the show make Netflix’s Bridgerton more authentic. I will discuss some of those differences in:
I. How is the Series Different From the Books?
There are quite a few (delightful) differences in the books and series. I will talk about some of them further in the article one by one.
i. Daphne and Simon’s First Meeting
While Nigel Berbrooke was responsible for how they met in both the book and series, how it happened was different.
In the show, Daphne bumps into Simon while she is trying to escape him. In the books, they meet when Simon happens to be there when Nigel is about to force himself on Daphne in the garden. He runs towards her to save her, but Daphne punches (You go, girl!) Nigel in the face instead.
The scene eventually ended up happening in episode 2 anyway.
ii. Anthony Knew About Daphne and Simon’s Ruse in Books
In the books, Anthony wasn’t as overbearing as he was in the show. He was slightly more lenient, and he even became a partner in crime to help Daphne and Simon in their ruse.
However, he agreed to the plan only on three conditions.
- The ruse was to remain a secret.
- Daphne and Simon cannot be alone together
- “If I ever catch you kissing her bloody hand without a chaperon, I shall tear your head off,” his exact words.
The later events are pretty much the same from there on out, with Anthony finding the couple in a compromisable position and eventually challenging Simon to a duel.
iii. Simon’s Boxing Hobby
As much as we have loved watching a shirtless Simon boxing, sweating and panting, he didn’t box in the books. Although, if he did, he would have enjoyed the sport just as much as Simon from the show did.
Fun fact: During the Regency era of London, boxing was rather a popular sport. It was when the boxing scene of Britain was at a peak.
3. Will There Be A Season 2?
Given the popularity of the show, Bridgerton is bound to receive a season 2. It will be a surprise if it doesn’t get a season renewal. The show also has enough source material and potential to last for atleast 8-9 seasons if all the books were to be made into series.
Nothing is confirmed as of yet, but hopefully, there is good news around the corner. The show is available on Netflix for streaming.
4. About Bridgerton
Bridgerton is an American streaming television period drama series created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes. It is based on Julia Quinn’s novel series of the same name, set in the competitive world of Regency era in London.
The show’s ensemble cast includes Adjoa Andoh, Lorraine Ashbourne, Jonathan Bailey, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Harriet Cains, Regé-Jean Page, Bessie Carter, Nicola Coughlan, Phoebe Dynevor, Ben Miller, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Newton and Julie Andrews among many others.
The series follows the eight close-knit siblings of the Bridgerton family on their journey to find love and happiness in London’s high society.
The first season debuted on December 25, 2020. The second season premiered on March 25, 2022. The series was renewed for a third and fourth season in April 2021. In May 2023, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story was released, a spin-off series focused on Queen Charlotte. The third season will premiere in two parts; the first premiered on May 16, 2024, and will be followed by the second on June 13, 2024.
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