Bridgerton has been one of the most talked about shows since its 2020 premiere. The second season was released earlier this year and received a similarly positive reaction, breaking its own record and becoming the most-viewed English-language show on Netflix at the time (before Stranger Things broke the record). Many fans actually prefer the second season to the first, as the characters have had more time to grow into themselves. Nonetheless, both seasons have been ridiculously popular and well received by viewers and critics alike.
So what differentiates Bridgerton from other period pieces? What makes it so special? That little extra piece that Bridgerton has is not just one thing, but a few that all fall under the umbrella of the show’s philosophy. The first of these philosophical elements is epicureanism, which is the constant pursuit of pleasure within one’s life. The second is materialism, which is certainly not a challenge to see in the show. The clothing, setting, and overall visual tone of the show are a nod to the rampant materialism that was so common in this particular time period.
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Another major element is progressivism, which can be seen throughout the show in how characters interact with each other and most visibly in the show’s very diverse casting. The casting of this show is so important because many period pieces place historical accuracy over and above diversity and representation, using the excuse of the time period to only cast white leads. Bridgerton does the exact opposite and has leads from all different backgrounds, emphasizing the revisionist nature of the show.
From the outside, the Netflix series may seem like a very simple show, but its philosophical influences are what differentiate it from all the shows like Bridgerton.
Epicureanism in Bridgerton
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If Epicureanism happens to be a new word for you, it essentially means the constant pursuit of pleasure in one’s life. If you have ever watched Bridgerton, you would know this is one of the pinnacle features of the show. Every character in Bridgerton is seeking pleasure in their life in all different ways. Seeking pleasure can mean many things. Whether that is seeking pleasure in a relationship, for your senses and experiences as a whole, or in your social position in life.
One can be seeking pleasure in a personal relationship, whether platonic or not, which constitutes a great deal of the narrative in Bridgerton, but ties it into another form of pleasure-seeking. Relationships and social standing are intertwined in the series, as they are often with the wealthy or aristocratic. All of these ways to seek pleasure in one’s life can be seen in Bridgerton at different times in the show and by different characters. What distinguishes Epicureanism from mere hedonism though is the elimination of unnecessary or negative desires; we see these two modes of pleasure-seeking contrasted in Bridgerton, with some people gaining pleasure with no regard for consequences, and others taking the more ethical approach laid out by Epicurus.
Materialism in Bridgerton
Materialism is the pinnacle of Bridgerton and perhaps most period pieces. The word materialism has very negative connotations, but it is not particularly negative in the context of this show; philosophically, materialism also means that everything, including beauty, is made of physical substance, as opposed to religious or spiritual beliefs. Bridgerton is a modern show in that it represents this modern philosophy (of Hobbes, Meslier, and Diderot), a progressive pushback against the religious and ideological fundamentalism prior to the 18th century. By saying materialism is essential to this show, one may think that characters value material things over other people, but that is not at all the case.
Regardless, it is quite hard to miss all the beautiful material things in the show. The beautiful setting of the show is important to the story because it serves as its own character. Many viewers seek out Bridgerton to see the fashion, opulent setting, hair, and makeup. It’s hard to miss how visually beautiful this show is; the imagery and cinematography is practically its own character, and serves very important purposes. The gorgeous materiality of Bridgerton is so pertinent to the story because it shows how wealthy the characters are, allows for interesting storylines that are only possible in this setting, and helps depict the results of its progressive philosophy.
Progressivism in Bridgerton
It’s hard to watch an episode of Bridgerton and not see how it is more progressive than other period pieces. In casting alone, Bridgerton blows all other period pieces out of the water. The way that the show explains these casting choices (as they may not be historically accurate) perfectly flows with the story. The casting in Bridgerton (which has actors from all backgrounds) is explained through the storyline of the Queen who is Black and who has given important positions of power to citizens of all backgrounds. This allows the show to have these characters in starring positions when other period pieces would not even have them on screen.
Obvious progressivism is just one of the principles of this show, and that’s not a bad thing in any way. The characters do not treat anyone differently due to the color of their skin and POC characters are in every possible role in this show (not to mention characters of all standards of beauty). Having POC characters as love interests is not always seen on television (especially not in period pieces) and is so beneficial for viewers, as it’s utterly important to see people who look like them in important roles, and witness a cross-section of humanity. Progressivism is a vital element of Bridgerton and the show would not be as popular or important as it is without that.
