Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of Shonda Rhimes’s Bridgerton, the regency era has seen a boom in popular culture and media.
A historical period during the early nineteenth century United Kingdom and Ireland, the era is significant for its social and cultural developments, namely the sophistication and refinement of social decorum. Regency-inspired media draw heavily on these developments, showcasing the grandeur and pomp of the British aristocracy.
But stories taking place in the regency period is not a new idea; Jane Austen’s novels have generated a multitude of movies and TV shows, but these flew mostly under the radar of pop culture until recently. What has sparked the recent obsession with the regency era?
In my opinion, the conditions of our current world (the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, environmental crises, foreign affairs) have left popular audiences seeking media that give an escape from the everyday. Grand balls, twirling skirts and afternoon tea provide the escapism fuel that many crave; the strict social conventions and delicate aesthetic of the regency era paint a landscape completely different from our own, allowing audiences to completely immerse themselves in the fantasy. In the world of the regency, finding a beau is as easy as filling up your dance card at the season’s opening ball.
Where Bridgerton diverges from other regency-inspired works, such as Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or Emma, is in its inaccuracy. While many films and TV shows set in the same time period rarely adhere strictly to accuracy, Bridgerton takes the historical setting and runs with it. Costuming, hairstyles, and makeup are altered to be more palatable for today’s audiences. Instrumental covers of pop-music give a feeling of freshness and modernity. Steamier scenes that would probably make Austen faint dramatically into a nearby chaise entice viewership, as if to say “this is not your typical historical romance: this show has sex.” All of these factors distinguish Bridgerton from its regency era predecessors, setting it up for large-scale success in mainstream media.
Striking a balance between the escapism of another time period and the cultural desires of modern media, Bridgerton’s gossipy, dramatic, and romantic world captures the hearts of many. And you best believe I will be waiting eagerly for next season.
