Opinions

Brown Girl Magic Lands in Bridgerton

1 April 20221 April 2022By
Brown Girl Magic Lands in Bridgerton

Dear Gentle Reader,

A new season is upon us…and by season we mean the latest instalment of the long awaited return of Netflix’s / Shondaland venture, Bridgerton. 

The first series aired back in 2020, in the thick of the pandemic, where so many of us were lost in the haze of a difficult year and an even more difficult Christmas period. After arriving swiftly on Christmas day, Bridgerton was watched by people around the world, providing much needed escapism and scandal — a reality far away from our own. 

Season one:

The first series reached heights that nobody was predicting and so much of its beauty and success lay in the decision to have a cast that reflects society — representative, inclusive and diverse. These may sound like performative words, that merely distract from the real issues at hand in the film and TV industry surrounding issues of representation of people of colour, but there was something profound at seeing actors of colour in a period drama. 

For so long, it has been said that there is no place for actors of colour to be in a 19th century drama, as it would not be considered ‘historically accurate’. Shondaland took this notion and reinvented the rules of the possibilities for diversifying what is rendered an extremely eurocentric time period. The show demonstrated that diversity in period dramas was possible  —it was something people chose not to do, rather than something they could not do. Regardless of its historical accuracy, the storylines in many period dramas are fictional, so why do we fool ourselves into thinking this is a good enough excuse? Bridgerton has done something simply long overdue and as a person of colour, I am thankful for it.

Season 2: 

With big shoes to fill, series two has been highly anticipated, especially with the subject of this season being Anthony Bridgerton — the eldest of the Bridgerton siblings and a much adored character, played by Jonathan Bailey. The second season follows his story as he wishes to find a wife to fulfil the role of being Viscountess Bridgerton, but would rather marry for convenience, rather than love. It is not something that he particularly wants to do — it is a matter of duty. 

That is until he meets Kate (Kathani) Sharma (Simone Ashley), the elder sister of Edwina (Charithra Chandran) who has been crowned as the diamond of the season and who Anthony is courting and intends to wed. In a steamy, slow burn, enemies to lovers storyline, the audience follow the story between Kate and Anthony, who increasingly quickly became the subject of social media adoration as their eight episode trajectory swept audiences away on Friday. 

On its debut weekend, season two has reportedly been viewed for 193 million hours, making it the “most watched Netflix English-language TV title in its premiere weekend in the streamer’s history”. After devouring the show in the space of three days, it is no surprise to myself and many other Bridgerton fans of this season’s success. It is merely an indication of how flawlessly the show has been executed from start to finish. 

The Sharma family:

The most notable aspect of Bridgerton season two is undoubtedly the introduction of the Sharma family, originally written as the Sheffield family in the Julia Quinn novels, but changed into the Sharma family after it was suggested that the female leads of this season should be South-Asian. To some, this may not feel monumental. It is different and not seen before, but to some viewers, it may seem Bridgerton are just complying with their diversity ethos that underpinned so much of the first series’ success. However, to a South-Asian person such as myself, who is unashamedly an avid fan of romantic films, TV shows and books — seeing a brown woman play the romantic protagonist in an incredibly popular, widely watched TV show has been a profound, hard to believe moment.

South-Asian representation in the media:

In 2022, it appears that diverse and inclusive casting is better than ever and in some cases, that may seem true. However, there are many communities who are still marginalised from the TV and film industry, including South-Asian women. The only time I have ever seen a brown woman in TV, it is usually a caricature of an oppressed Muslim woman, playing a terrorist’s wife or being forced into an arranged marriage she is unhappy in. This is only one example of the gross misrepresentation of South-Asian women, who are so much more than what TV and film have depicted them to be but they are frequent, repeated stereotypes which I have unfortunately seen growing up. So when the leads of season two were announced, I was not only excited, but also apprehensive to how these characters would be played.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of representation of brown people in the media, it is important to make sure it executed well as they are usually what people will judge wider communities on. For white people, they have the agency to be complex, flawed and have a redemption arc, whereas this same opportunity is not extended to brown people. The representations of brown people, and their stories are usually so misconstrued, the pool for which positive representation exists is limited and so when there is a brown character in a TV show, I am usually found cringing, rather than celebrating. I can be found behind a cushion thinking, “I hope they don’t think we’re all like this.” Brown people are either comical side characters, or western hating terrorists – there is no grey area for us to exist. We can only be one or the other. 

Within one episode, any anxieties I did have, dissipated and even more so, by the end of the series, where the audience are taken on an extraordinary love story, engaging in themes of family, duty, friendship and sisterhood. Many of these themes are present between the Sharma family, a trio of women, navigating their way through the lion’s den of regency era high society London, in search of a husband for Edwina. 

Their culture, heritage and what it means and feels to be South-Asian are explored intricately and in a way which shows that it is what makes us different in society, is something to be celebrated, not feared. In times of fear and uncertainty for the family, they turn to what they know, whether it is Kate applying oil in Edwina’s hair, something regularly done in South-Asian families by elders or adding illaichi (cardamom) into their tea. The outfits worn by the family adhere to London’s high society, but have patterns that we still use now on South-Asian outfits. 

It was heartening to hear Edwina call Kate, ‘Didi” or their mum “Amma”, something I have grown up calling my own mum. 

It was overwhelming to hear a classical rendition of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, a song and movie, so many people my age grew up watching and listening to, and would never expect to hear in a Netflix show consumed by ‘western’ audiences. 

 

It was eye-opening to see South-Asian women being depicted as beautiful and desirable, something I have never seen or felt growing up. This is not to say Bridgerton is progressive as because they have depicted a Tamil woman to be desirable or attractive by a conventionally attractive British white man,. iIt is because they have shown that brown women are and always have been beautiful —- society has simply chosen not to view them that way. It was even more staggering to see how their skin colour was never weaponised or used to other them. It never became a topic of speculation and they were never exoticised or fetishised. They were simply brown women, existing, thriving and engaging in relationships and conversations where their skin colour was never a topic of conversation. They were not being ‘tolerated’, they were being embraced, welcomed and became part of society, rather than being outsiders – the way so many immigrants of various generations still feel.

It was wonderful to hear Anthony call Kate by her full name, Kathani Sharma. I can think of many times where a friend, or a teacher, or a work colleague has asked if I have an ‘alternative name’ that is easier for them to say. 

It was beautiful to see so much of my culture, and people who look like me, being represented in a way I have never seen before —- normally. To see my culture being shown in a respectful way, where it is not mocked or criticised is rare and I embraced every second.

I was six when someone commented on how dark my skin is.

I was nine when a girl in my primary school told me that the homecooked South-Asian food my mum had given me for lunch looked and smelled “disgusting” and I was weird for eating it.

I was eleven when two girls in my primary school told me that my mendhi (henna), looked and smelt disgusting. I was sixteen when I saw them wearing henna at a music festival.

I was thirteen when a teacher asked me to call me by my sister’s name because Inayah was too difficult for them to say.

I was fifteen when a boy in my year group told me that people should stay away from me in case my family are terrorists.

I was eighteen when a boy in my class told me that he did not vote for me to be Head Girl because my skin is brown.

I was nineteen when a boy in my class told me that he is happy Brexit happened, because it meant people like me would be leaving the country.

I was twenty-one when I watched Bridgerton and finally saw someone like me, on screen, and finally felt seen as worthy enough to be the main character in a successful show.

It has taken 21 years to finally see someone, who looks similar to me, portrayed in a respectful, engaging and beautiful way. 

I hope (and plead) it does not take another 21 years for this to happen again. 

Mansi Vithlani, 3rd Year BA Journalism Student:

The representation in season two of Bridgerton overall made me feel overwhelmingly emotional. I found it incredibly moving to witness a gorgeous, dark-skinned South – Asian woman play the role as a romantic lead, and it made me wonder how I would have felt if this was more prevalent in the industry whilst I was growing up.

The key significance of season two’s representation is that Anthony’s affection and connection to Kate was not presented as shocking in light of the fact that Kate was a dark-skinned South – Asian. It was depicted without any questioning or reference to Kate’s race, and the Sharma women were not tokenised for their ethnicity.

Their relationship was displayed as a natural occurrence, which is an aspect that has been absent in the entertainment industry. The Sharma sisters were truly presented as NORMAL people whilst also respecting and honouring their culture through small yet important characteristics. And this was so beautiful to see, allowing us  South – Asian women to see ourselves in them, through the chai making, the jumkas (earrings), the haldi ceremony, hair oil massages and the attention to detail on the costume designs.

Watching the series there were various moments where I teared up, no drama, no exploitation, simply such realistic portrayal with many poignant scenes. Overall, it was a breath of fresh air to see South – Asian representation exist so effortlessly.

Jubida Begum, 3rd year BA Journalism student

The last time I saw South – Asian sisterhood represented in a Hollywood production, it was through the Patil twins in the Harry Potter films. Treated as comedic relief and supporting characters, this accurately reflected the representation of my own community that I had witnessed growing up.

Watching this season of Bridgerton, I wondered why I felt such a connection to Kate Sharma. I had never seen a dark-skinned South – Asian woman like me acting as a lead love-interest in such a big western production. Even in Bollywood, fairer skin-toned actors are favoured as the leads. I always enjoyed rom-coms growing up, but I never felt included, rather, quite like  a side character in society.

This season made me feel beautiful. Showcasing the gorgeous embroidered-style of my cultural clothing, using words such as “bon”, meaning sister in my dialect, and holding a traditional haldi ceremony before a south Asian wedding, the show gave me a chance to feel seen. It was a great step towards inclusivity, and it makes me hopeful that the next generations of South – Asian children will grow up seeing the beauty of their culture in mainstream media.

Halima Mohamed, 3rd Year BA English Student

Season two of Bridgerton was a massive eye opener. Producers and writers CAN be inclusive. They can represent non-white people and cultures respectfully and beautifully. Dark skin South – Asian women hardly play roles in television, including Bollywood too. Seeing Kate not water down her cultural identity to fit into the Bridgertons showed how nobody should let go of their heritage for others. 

One scene that particularly struck me was the scene where Kate, Edwina and their mum were preparing for the wedding. The inclusion of traditional wedding culture and womanhood was so heartwarming. The soundtrack of Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham (a song originally from a Bollywood film) playing in the background while they were getting ready and it still playing while Anthony was having his bachelors was the cherry on top. It showed how both parties were involved and accepting of Edwina and Kate’s heritage and culture. 

This season of Bridgerton has set the bar up so high. A gay male lead and a dark skinned south Asian woman lead. They showed that inclusivity isn’t only a single non white person involved in a cast. Inclusivity doesn’t take away from a show nor is it hard to be inclusive or mindful of non white cultures. I can’t wait to see more of Bridgerton and other shows that hopefully follow in the same direction.

 

Sabihah Choudhury, 3rd Year BA English Student

The most important aspect to me was that it wasn’t colour blind casting; they were not just the token brown girls who were there to check mark the “diversity” box but the desired brown girl whose personality shines through. Their culture and heritage is represented perfectly and isn’t erased by writing them like a white female, which I unfortunately have seen done too much. Hearing them refer to each other as “Didi”, application of haldi on the bride and orchestra covers of famous Bollywood tracks are only some of the examples of the south Asian nuances added, which made me happy and, for the first time in a long while, made me proud to be South – Asian.

Kaylee Loo, Post Graduate, Bar Vocational Course

Bridgerton this season elevated its source material by having a beautiful South-Asian woman take the lead. By taking the time to honour Kate Sharma, the incorporation of her heritage in numerous scenes and character anecdotes built her to be an individual shaped by her culture, but not defined by it — much like many people of colour in the world. 

Understandably, there are many criticisms of how Bridgerton buries the harsh realities of British Colonialism during that period. But Bridgerton in its execution, in this season especially, recognises itself as less of a reflection of true history, but more of an escapist fantasy that allows for inclusion. It’s delightful that a popular show can see that adding people of colour, can make an already bright and colourful world all the more vibrant and fun, and I hope to see many more of this in more films and shows in the future!

Saarah Kasmani, 1st Year Business Management 

Season 2 of Bridgerton features the addition of three new female characters. The two sisters are of South-Asian descent and the elder sister, played by Simone Ashley.

The main focus is Kate, who is portrayed as more desirable by the male love interest. She is surprisingly more dark skinned than Edwina and does not conform to the typical beauty standard of “light and fair skin”.

However, it can be said that casting Ashley as the main role as opposed to Edwina, is quite strategic as it demonstrates the show’s diversity. Despite the arrangement of Anthony and Edwina, it is Kate, a dark skinned British South-Asian, that Anthony is deeply in love with.

It is worth mentioning that in Bollywood movies and television shows, the industry opts for fair skinned actresses. Females are seen as more attractive, if they were to possess light skin. Bridgerton deliberately counteracts television and worldwide beauty standards.

Although this is the first time we are presented with a South-Asian character, it is not the first time we are introduced to representation.

For instance, last season we were introduced to the Queen who is played by Golda Rosheuvel, a woman of colour, and the Royal Family itself constitutes of individuals of all races. Bridgerton depicts England in the 1800’s as multicultural, which  contradicts the reality of the Royal Family today.

Not only does Bridgerton simply cast South-Asian actresses but they integrate traditions and adhere to specific customs as well.

In conclusion, Bridgerton making groundbreaking strides today enables television moving forward to incorporate actors of many different backgrounds. Within time, inclusivity will not be as unprecedented as it is today and will be normalized.

Zainab Iqbal, 1st Year Politics Student

As a second-generation immigrant, season two of Bridgerton made me incredibly emotional. This has been one of the first times I have seen dark-skinned South -Asian leads, even in Bollywood, the use of skin whitening products gets pushed and it’s incredibly rare to ever see a dark south Asian lead, let alone two! 

Representation in this show was done beautifully. From the haldi, jewellery, oils, clothing, language and music. I truly loved that there was no question about her culture; this was the first time I have seen that a desi character’s desirability was not seen as surprising and they were seen as objectively attractive without minimising or sensationalising their culture. 

I also loved that this show highlighted what it can be like to be the eldest daughter of a desi household. The constant invalidating of one’s own feelings and feeling forced to sacrifice for the benefit of their family while simultaneously thinking they aren’t deserving of love and that duty has to prevail all. Season two has been the representation that I have been needing to see in mainstream media since I was a little girl, and now that it’s here, it’s made me more confident and proud of my culture and warmed my heart.