Netflix’s 4-Part Romance Is So Good, It Reinvents Two Different Genres

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It’s rare for a show to successfully redefine even one type of genre, but Netflix’s Bridgerton has managed to revamp both romance and historical drama, all while staying incredibly popular with viewers. The series is adapted from Julia Quinn’s novels and centers on a scandalous gossip writer who chronicles the lives of London’s elite during a time period inspired by Regency-era Britain.

Each season of Bridgerton centers on a different love story and the challenges the couple overcomes. While it shares the feel-good endings common in romantic TV shows and incorporates elements of popular historical dramas, Bridgerton is remarkably unique within both genres.

Bridgerton Rewrites The Rules Of Historical Dramas & Romance Shows

Many historical dramas take liberties with facts, but generally try to feel authentic to the period. Bridgerton doesn’t really bother with that. While the show gets some details about the social customs of high society right, that’s where its accuracy stops.

The costumes in Bridgerton are a striking mix of traditional Regency-era clothing and bold, modern designs that reflect each character’s personality. This unique visual style, which earned the show an Emmy Award, creates a fantastical feel, even though Bridgerton isn’t technically a fantasy series.

Bridgerton has changed the game for historical dramas in a significant way. It creates a reimagined past that doesn’t include racism, which allows the show to feature a wonderfully diverse cast. Unlike most period dramas that focus on white nobility and limit actors of color to supporting roles, Bridgerton lets viewers from all backgrounds see themselves in any character – even the powerful and privileged ones – and enjoy the show’s charming stories.

Beyond its historical setting, Bridgerton is also updating how romance is portrayed. While women in the show don’t have as much power or independence as the men, their desires are given equal importance. Even though some scenes dealing with sex education are awkward, the show’s most intimate moments ultimately focus on female pleasure.

Classic romance stories frequently create the appearance of female empowerment, only to ultimately portray women as needing rescue. But even the fourth season of Bridgerton, which draws inspiration from Cinderella, flips this expectation. While Sophie may seem to have less control over her situation than previous heroines, it’s actually Lady Violet Bridgerton who is most instrumental in helping her and altering her destiny.

Bridgerton’s Approach Won’t Work For Every Historical Romance (But It Was Still Needed)

While Bridgerton features some wonderful couples, many of these relationships wouldn’t have been accepted in real Regency-era Britain. A pairing like Sophie and Benedict would likely have faced social rejection, and even though people of different ethnicities did marry during that time, these unions weren’t always supported. Bridgerton offers a refreshing change from the prejudice often depicted in more historically accurate dramas.

While Bridgerton has brought a fresh, creative energy to historical dramas and romance, its style wouldn’t suit every show. The well-known saying by George Santayana – “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” – feels especially important now, and many historical dramas are responding by offering insightful social commentary alongside compelling stories.

I absolutely love shows like Call the Midwife! What’s so great about it is how grounded it is in real history – it follows midwives working in East London right after World War II. While the characters themselves are made up, the show really captures what life was like for people back then. And I also thought the John Adams miniseries was amazing. It was so well-researched and accurate, but it also beautifully focused on the relationship between John and Abigail Adams.

As a critic, I’ve noticed a trend: the shows that really nail the historical details tend to be the ones everyone’s talking about. But honestly, too many period dramas sanitize the past, avoiding the truly difficult parts of life for most people back then. That’s why I think it’s so important to see shows that offer different viewpoints and aren’t afraid to show the grit and complexity of history – those are the ones that really stay with you.

Both realistic and fantastical historical dramas can be successful. Bridgerton doesn’t aim to be a true retelling of history, but it accurately portrays the complex social expectations of wealthy families during that time. While it avoids magic and mythical creatures, Bridgerton often feels like a fantasy, and other fantasy shows could benefit from its approach to storytelling.

Other Genres Can Learn From Bridgerton’s Success

Many TV shows draw inspiration from different periods in history. For example, the sci-fi series Fallout heavily features elements of 1950s America, and medieval settings are very popular in fantasy. However, it’s important to remember that life in those times wasn’t perfect – particularly for people of color or women – and fantasy stories often acknowledge this difficult reality.

Many fantasy TV shows often make a problematic choice: they drastically alter history and add fantastical elements, yet still include scenes of violence against women. Critics frequently point this out, and sometimes justify it by claiming historical accuracy. But this explanation feels weak when the show also features things like dragons or magic, which clearly aren’t historically accurate.

Following the huge popularity of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series, Game of Thrones, concerns about the depiction of violence against women resurfaced. The criticism was significant enough that Sara Hess, a writer and producer on House of the Dragon, announced the show would avoid showing sexual violence. Bridgerton demonstrates that a historical drama can be successful without relying on such harmful depictions.

The Four Seasons of Bridgerton
Season Release Year Episodes Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Rating Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating
1 2020 8 87% 70%
2 2022 8 78% 72%
3 2024 8 87% 77%
4 2026 8 82% 67%

Even though shows like Bridgerton and Game of Thrones feel very different, we can learn from both. Bridgerton uses the basic ideas of the Regency period to create its world, and a gritty fantasy show could do the same – featuring things like castles, battles, and kings and queens – while also making a point of portraying respectful relationships and a diverse cast of characters.

While other romance shows might be just as good, Bridgerton has truly reshaped the genre. It’s offered a unique approach that many other TV series could benefit from. Bridgerton has already redefined historical dramas and romance, and it also offers valuable insights for fantasy shows.

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2026-03-25 23:11