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Bridgerton Romanticises Toxic Relationships? The Inherent Problem with Period Dramas 

13 June 202212 June 2022By
Bridgerton Romanticises Toxic Relationships? The Inherent Problem with Period Dramas 

Bridgerton’s highly anticipated second season instantly rose to the number one spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10. However, it has come under scrutiny once again for its negative portrayal of relationships. Is the criticism justified? The answer may not be so simple.

On Christmas Day 2020, Netflix gifted us with Bridgerton, a Shondaland project which defied period drama conventions by showcasing a diverse cast. It was an instant hit, becoming Netflix’s most-watched series at the time and attracting a dedicated fandom. Despite its popularity, the first season was blasted for its unhealthy portrayal of Daphne and Simon’s relationship and glamorising abuse by dismissing Daphne’s attempt to try for a baby without Simon’s consent. 

Although the series’ portrayal of relationships arguably improves in its second season, the criticism persists. With the second season gathering a whopping 193 million hours of viewing time in its first week, it is safe to say Bridgerton is currently the world’s biggest romance sensation. Given its cultural impact, it is definitely worth examining whether the series does romanticise toxic love. 

The Appeal of Period Dramas

Shondaland ingeniously tapped into people’s desire to see a period drama with a cast that represented them, allowing for Bridgerton to captivate millions worldwide. Why is the period drama genre so appealing, particularly when it comes to romance? To put it briefly, alongside the aesthetic visuals, people enjoy watching a slow burn build-up of the longing between two love interests, with tensions rising higher and higher until that epic climactic confession.

Personally, as a viewer, it is incredibly satisfying to feel like I am the only one who knows the secret love between the two primary characters. The second season’s main couple, Kate and Anthony, not only provide us with the most intense pining in television history, but also present two popular tropes: enemies-to-lovers and forbidden love. Needless to say, the tension between them makes it impossible not to binge the season in one day. 

The Elephant in the Room

However, there is an uncomfortable reality of period dramas that people fail to address. The extreme longing between Kate and Anthony that we love to watch is created by the sexist society of the story. Afterall, Bridgerton is set in the Regency period, centuries before women even had the right to vote. All romantic relationships in the series begin on unequal terms; the women characters have no true autonomous choice for their future husbands, their choices have to be approved by the senior members of their families.

The marriages in the series are determined by how respectable (and profitable) the matches will be, and courtship has very rigid rules and limitations. Kate and Anthony’s forbidden love makes the plot enthralling, but it is also due to this lack of communication that the couple are in conflict for much of the season. While their bickering is exciting to watch, it also potentially lays a dangerous foundation for their relationship. 

So far, the series does not seem fully committed to confronting the misogyny of its society. Marina and Eloise’s attempts to defy the expectations placed on them results in their punishment. Thus, Bridgerton is left in a paradox. Its period drama setting simultaneously heightens its appeal but also creates a volatile environment for its characters’ relationships.

So does Bridgerton deserve its criticism?

Overall, despite the inherent instability provided by the period drama setting, Kate and Anthony’s relationship is a great improvement on Daphne and Simon’s. Ultimately, Kate and Anthony are connected by their strong sense of familial duty that only they are able to truly understand. Kate challenges Anthony’s misogyny and hypocrisies and pushes him to evolve before committing to her. Hence, Kate and Anthony start their marriage in a position of mutual respect.

It seems clear the writing team wanted to portray a healthier relationship with Kate and Anthony than they did with Daphne and Simon. Bridgerton was renewed for seasons three and four back in April 2021, and hopefully the series will continue its upward trajectory in quality. However, the nature of its genre will always make Bridgerton just that little bit toxic. To conclude, I don’t think that Bridgerton intends to romanticise toxic relationships but as with all forms of media, it is always worth reflecting on.