Shonda Rhimes Gets Real About ‘Woke’ Bridgerton Backlash (And Her Honest ‘Disdain’ For Romance Novels)

Shonda Rhimes, a creative powerhouse in television, is responsible for blockbuster series such as Grey’s Anatomy (accessible with a Hulu subscription), Scandal, How To Get Away with Murder, and more recently, the Bridgerton franchise (available on Netflix). Notably, Bridgerton stands out as one of the most popular shows to watch in succession on Netflix. It even spawned a spinoff, and Rhimes has addressed criticism that it promotes a politically aware perspective.

As a die-hard fan of Shonda Rhimes, I can’t help but marvel at her mesmerizing storytelling style, especially her iconic Shondalogues. With ‘Bridgerton’, she’s breathed new life into the book-to-screen adaptation scene by infusing her distinctive touch onto the source material. In a chat with Deadline, she addressed rumors about the show’s casting being overly politically correct with an adorable “that’s so cute.” Delving deeper into the topic, she eloquently shared her thoughts, saying:

“I believe that diversity and inclusivity are not political statements but rather a reflection of the world we live in today. My aim has always been to create characters and stories that resonate with a broad audience, regardless of their background or identity.

How people react and take in the show is none of my business.

It seems quite sensible that this method could foster creativity as an artist, as focusing on external opinions might hinder the creative process. The ongoing debate about the series “And Just Like That” likely played a role in its conclusion after Season 3, and it appears Rhimes isn’t paying much heed to those criticizing “Bridgerton” for being overly progressive or “woke.

The backlash towards Bridgerton might be due to its portrayal of an alternate 19th-century London society that values racial equality and allows Black citizens to join high society. This is exemplified by Queen Charlotte, a black woman skillfully played by Golda Rosheuvel, who also has her own prequel series detailing her love story with King George. The show features a diverse cast, which seems to have attracted some criticism online. However, it appears that creator Shonda Rhimes is choosing not to engage with the controversy.

In some respects, Bridgerton resembles a romance novel brought to vivid reality, particularly during its first season. Interestingly enough, Rhimes herself expressed a dislike for romance novels in an interview, yet she was captivated by the Bridgerton books while bedridden and confined to a hotel. To her, the show is less about romance and more about a “workplace drama,” exploring how the female characters gain independence through their experiences with love.

Even though it’s worth noting that there is a similarity between the show and romance novels due to the inclusion of love scenes, Bridgerton has toned down these sequences somewhat in seasons 2 and 3. However, they do still occur, with season 3 witnessing Penelope and Colin engaging in intimate moments inside a carriage and further love scenes as their relationship became official.

Currently, you can find the first three seasons of “Bridgerton” and “Queen Charlotte” streaming on Netflix. The fourth season is projected for 2026, but no specific release date has been set yet as I write this article.

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2025-08-22 23:08