Bridgertonhas become the latest adaptation to go from book to screen and has become quite the success thanks to best-selling author Julia Quinn. This historical drama series has come 20 years after the first book was released and propelled the author into New York Times besting-selling. The first season starred Rege-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor in the early-1800s London society. The show was even able to get Julie Andrews to become the narrator, or rather Lady Whistledown, of the series. Shonda Rhimes, the creator ofGrey’s AnatomyandScandal,fell in love with the romance novels and became the driving force behind the Netflix original.
Quinn quickly gave Rhimes the rights to her novels, full well knowing that she would be very capable of taking her creation and doing it justice on the screen. After all, the books were funny, sexy, emotional, and charming, which all audiences are quick to devour. Other romance novels have been given the same treatment asBridgerton, but seems to be a genre that doesn’t always get its credit where it is most due. Rhimes has decidedly to look past the prejudices that this genre has received over the years and has gone on telling the story due to its shear brilliance. Here is everything theBridgertonfranchise has gotten right since its book to screen adaptation.
Re-Imagining History
The first season of Netflix’sBridgertoncovers most of what happens in the first book of the seriesThe Duke and I. Rhimes does take a few liberties with the source material for the betterment of the show and the spin-off.Bridgertonre-visions London in 1813 that isfree of racismwith a diverse group of aristocracy that wasn’t originally found in the books. Simon Basset and Lady Danbury were white in the novels, but were changed in the show as they wereplayed by Rege-Jean Pageand Adjoa Andoh, respectively. The spin-off seriesQueen Charlottedelves into the explanation for the casting.
The marriage between King George III and Queen Charlotte is the focal point inQueen Charlotte.The historical community has had speculation that Charlotte may have had African ancestry, according toSlate. It is because of this that theBridgertonseries cast a Black actress, Golda Rosheuvel, as the queen. The spin-off series goes into this deeper by talking about how having Charlotte as queen opened up society and granted titles/land to those of color for the better than how history actually played out.
Related:11 Shows Like Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story to Watch Next
Simon’s Childhood and Lady Danbury
Simon’s childhood on-screen was portrayed as being mentally and emotionally abused by his father to the point where he did not talk until he was four years old. Young Simon had a stutter and his father was ashamed of him because he was the one that was supposed to carry on his legacy.BridgertongaveLady Danbury a larger rolein the series, showing that she was Simon’s close friend and mentor for his education. Their beginning started off as a necessity, but grew into a mother and son relationship that has become a favorite among fans.
Lady Danbury is one of the Duke’s closest confidant and very prominent in his life when she got involved due to being close friends to Simon’s father. She has guided him into adulthood and even made him feel a part of her family. Sometimes Danbury’s role feels a little understated in the series as she has a deep and unconditional love and support for Simon after she witnessed how his father treated him. This resulted her as becoming the only source of stability for the Duke.
Related:What Makes the Bridgerton Franchise a Perfect Blend of Modern Storytelling and Period Drama
Daphne’s Want for Kids Versus the Duke’s
The main drama that was seen inThe Duke and Iis the same issue that was seen on-screen. Daphne wanted kids since her whole life she was being prepared to have kids and run a household. Simon, on the other hand, promised his dying father that he would never have kids, so his legacy would end with him. Since Daphne is not quite sure how babies are made, Simon is able to manipulate her and tells her that he is not able to have kids. Daphne learns the truth which becomes a hot argument between the two.
The events of Daphne wanting kids and learning how kids are made are different in the books than in the show. The discussion around children for these two are very controversial in both the book and the show and has fans talking about the disturbing scenes saysVox. Many have said that the book had Simon threatening rape towards Daphne as she was his property, while the show has Daphne taking advantage of her husband. The show itself knew the issue with this scene and tried to make it consensual between the two.Bridgertontried for better to make this easier for viewers to stomach as to what was happening in this scene and argument between Daphne and the Duke.
