Set within the proper world of 19th century high society in Regency London, it’s easy to think that Bridgerton will be another buttoned-up Sunday night tea time treat, or at best a try-hard replacement for Downtown Abbey. However this notion is quickly dispelled with the welcome appearance within the first 5 minutes of the Viscount Bridgerton’s bare buttocks (handsomely played by Jonathan Bailey) as he gets rhythmically-acquainted with his lover against a tree. From this moment on you know that, unlike the parade of young ladies making their debut into society, this show is going to be anything but chaste.
Based on the bestselling romance novels of American author Julia Quinn, the show focuses on the love story of her first book, The Duke and I, and the will-they-won’t-they relationship between Daphne Bridgerton and the very eligible Duke of Hasting.
Their courtship takes place in the annual season, when the wealthy elite decamped from the country to their London mansions for several months and mingled at lavish social events such as glamorous balls, picnics and dinner parties. It is here that the young ladies of age, having been prepared and trained to be the ideal wife, are introduced by their ambitious mothers with the aim of finding them an eligible husband, preferably with a title and with plenty of money.