Why Bridgerton Is My Ultimate Comfort Series

Dearest Reader,

While the year 2026 marches on outside with deafening noise, political bickering and a pace so relentless that even London’s fastest carriage couldn’t keep up, my very own comfort series is returning. The Netflix gem Bridgerton is back! Gossip, drama, love and a touch of delightful excess – but what is it that truly makes this modern fairy tale so irresistible?

XOXO, Lady Whistledown!

The first season of Bridgerton premiered in December 2020, a year shaped by uncertainty and lockdowns. In the midst of this unfamiliar global situation, Netflix released Shonda Rhimes’ dazzling, colourful series – a show that felt like Gossip Girl wrapped in an outrageously vibrant Jane Austen novel. For me, the perfect combination.

While Gossip Girl terrorised the Upper East Side with anonymous text messages, Lady Whistledown wields the sharpest weapon of her time: the printed word. Gossip has always been a human constant, but what fascinates me most here is the motive behind it. It is the revenge of an apparent wallflower: Penelope Featherington uses her invisibility to become the most powerful voice in London, one that even drives Queen Charlotte to distraction. How does a woman balance power in a world that refuses to give her a voice? I desperately wanted this clever, creative and beautiful woman to win in the end.

“Happily Ever After” with Depth

What makes Bridgerton feel so relatable is its focus on universal emotions. Beneath the surface of a period drama lies a story about female empowerment and breaking free from rigid roles. Whether it’s Eloise, who recoils from polite society, or Kate Sharma, who refuses to be lectured – they all refuse to exist as passive bystanders.

Even the men, like Anthony Bridgerton, must first learn to stop suppressing their emotions. Openly talking about feelings isn’t merely a revolutionary act here; it is often the key to resolving every conflict. That, for me, is what makes these characters feel so real.

The series also breaks another boundary through its casting – one that, frankly, should no longer exist. It is wonderful to see POC characters not relegated to the margins, but portrayed as leading figures with depth, emotions and personalities, allowed to be beautiful, happy and romantic. Western productions are still far too lacking in diversity. I am well aware that the show’s historical inaccuracy is often criticised. Stories that confront the oppression of people of colour remain essential. That said, a romantic series should also be allowed to simply be a romantic series.

Regency Goes Pop Culture

What ultimately completes Bridgerton for me is its bold embrace of exaggerated anachronism. The depicted Regency look is a deliberate sensory overload: bold colours, almost neon fabrics and opulent accessories that perfectly highlight each character’s personality. When the Vitamin String Quartet performs today’s biggest pop hits in a classical style, the barrier between centuries completely dissolves. Bridgerton does not strive to be historically accurate. Instead, it transports a vision of our modern society into a slower era, where human longings would not have been any different.

While I’m currently still deep into a rewatch of the latest episodes, my gaze is already fixed on the upcoming season. This time, the spotlight falls on what is, in my opinion, the most charming free spirit of the Bridgerton family: Benedict. As I haven’t (yet) read Julia Quinn’s novels, I’m deliberately allowing myself to be surprised by the magic of the visuals alone. I know only one thing for certain: it will be a Cinderella story – and honestly, we could all use one of those right now.

Yours truly, and XOXO!