Bridgerton ★★★★
Chris Van Dusen (Julie Anne Robinson, Alrick Riley, Tom Verica, Sheree Folkson)
Starring Regé-Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Bailey, Julie Andrews
Netflix's Bridgerton has taken audiences by storm, becoming quite the talking point amongst viewers.
The story is narrated by Julie Andrews which is a questionable choice for someone who has played the role of a queen before yet doesn't physically star in the show. However it suited the narrative's progression in a Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey manor.
It's the classic innocent girl falls for a "bad boy" tale; Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) starts to lose hope and opts for the good boy for a while, but wishes to return to her initial flame. Grease and Dirty Dancing are among many famous narratives that follow this structure. This particular story uses the popular plot of two people getting together as a couple, only to benefit themselves, leaving audiences hoping for their cover up to fade back into true love. This series works well to keep you guessing and wondering how it will all turn out in the end. Netflix really do know how to make a binge-worthy series.
Set in Regency-Era London, Bridgerton plays on an old-fashioned society with modern twists along the way, which I found refreshing. The music, for example, mixes snippets of Mozart with current pop stars such as Ariana Grande, all played in the same style to create a soundtrack that suits this particular period and resonates with modern audiences.
My only issue with the narrative was the progression of Daphne's innocence in the world of marriage running parallel to her sister Eloise's (Claudia Jessie) character feeling almost too separated in Netflix's crossover between a period drama and a modern production. This does reinforce her character's relevance, however I thought at times it left her presence feeling disjointed.
The Duke's (Regé-Jean Page) backstory is presented through flashbacks, which helped audiences to look past that "bad boy" nature and help us root for the two protagonists to work their way together. Page and Dynevor work well to perform this complicated relationship throughout.
"This author thinks" if you are a fan of romance and have a soft spot for a good narrative, you should, without a doubt, give Bridgerton a try.
Bridgerton available now on Netflix