DEAREST reader (in our best Lady Whistledown impression), you must have heard of “Bridgerton” by now. Released on Christmas Day 2020, Netflix’s latest period drama is in a way, refreshingly modern and has been described by instant fans as Regency-era “Gossip Girl.”
The first original Netflix series from Shonda Rhimes (the same showrunner of “Grey’s Anatomy”), “Bridgerton” is a big budget production with a stellar cast. Apart from the idyllic locations and the ultra luxe sets and wardrobe, here are more reasons to binge-watch “Bridgerton,” if you haven’t already:
• It is inspired by Julia Quinn’s best-selling novels whose storyline is centered on the eight high society Bridgerton siblings. The eight-part series on Netflix is based on the first book “The Duke and I,” which details the relationship between eldest daughter and debutante Daphne Bridgerton, and bachelor Simon Basset.
• The cast underwent a six-week boot camp where they had to take classes in etiquette, horse riding, dancing, voice lessons, pistol training and boxing, depending on their roles’ demands.
• When it came to designing the look for Queen Charlotte, a different wig had to be donned for every scene she had, and the wigs had to match her outfits.
• Queen Charlotte is the first mixed-race member of the British Royal family. She was married to King George III, with whom she had 15 children.
• While “Bridgerton” was filmed in some famous sets and locations, the production design team built all the props and furniture themselves. Likewise, the costume department created thousands of costumes from scratch.
• Wedgwood, the well-known fine china, porcelain and luxury accessories manufacturer, is the inspiration behind the color palette for the show’s Bridgerton blue. Wedgwood wares were a common sight on the tables of English monarchs and other heads of state during the Regency era.
• Daphne Bridgerton’s hair and makeup was based on Audrey Hepburn’s look in “War and Peace”—soft, pretty and very natural.
• The Bridgertons and Featheringtons have their own symbols that viewers can spot throughout the season, whether it’s on the members’ costumes or as hair accessories. For the former, it’s bees, while for the latter, it’s butterflies.
• Jonathan Bailey, who played Anthony Bridgerton, grew his own mutton chops for the role. The rest of the male cast used stick-ons.