Bridgerton on Wednesday it became the biggest Netflix series of all time, when the streamer revealed that 82 million families watched at least part of the first eight-episode season of the Regency novel in the first 28 days, 30% more than originally projected by Netflix 63 million.
There have been a number of attempts to explain the extraordinary global success of Bridgerton, from the modern style of storytelling in the best traditions of Shonaland and the use of contemporary music to the talented and attractive multiracial cast for the perfect moment of the show, offering lavish and escapist food in the depths of the pandemic.
One of the Netflix executives most associated with Bridgerton, VP Original Series Jinny Howe, a longtime – and proud, romance fan, provided her perspective on why the show, already renewed for a second season, became a phenomenon and the lessons she learned from her success.
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In what now looks like a pretty good prediction, Howe – a member of the Netflix drama team who handled character dramas, soap operas and Shondaland – was promoted to Head of Drama Development by Bela Bajaria in the major restructuring of streamer programming operations in October. (Renate Radford was named head of the drama, current)
Here’s what Howe wrote on the Netflix website when BridgertonThe huge audience success of was announced yesterday:
‘Bridgerton’: How a bold bet turned into our greatest series of all time
During my interviews on Netflix, I remember being asked: “If you could do any program, what type would it be and why?” I dared to tell the truth – that in a pop culture world dominated by science fiction and fantasy, I have always loved beautiful and exuberant novels. Being paid direct, although I didn’t imagine that the first project that would help bring it to life on Netflix would be Bridgerton.
To witness the fervor that the show’s producers, including the inimitable Shonda Rhimes, showrunner Chris Van Dusen and executive producer Betsy Beers, created was surreal (hello, TikTok musical!). And being able to announce that Bridgerton it is now the greatest series of all time on Netflix is a dream come true.
A record 82 million households worldwide have chosen to watch Bridgerton the first 28 days. And the show reached the top 10 in all countries except Japan – reaching number one in 83 countries, including the USA, the UK, Brazil, France, India and South Africa. In fact, the success of Bridgerton propelled books to The New York Times bestseller lists for the first time, and 18 years after they were first published.
There are many lessons I learned along the way, but these are the three most important:
All kinds of audiences love romance
Romance books have always sold incredibly well. But these stories rarely made it to the screen. Daphne and Simon’s “they go / don’t go” love affair, combined with opulent costumes and settings, created a world into which members of all backgrounds and ages could escape. Bridgerton showed that the novel can be intelligent, dynamic, daring and, yes, universally attractive.
It pays to be bold and take creative “risks”
Bridgerton, like The Queen’s Gambit, it defies tradition and demonstrates that period dramas are not limited in scope or audience. The show is a fictional portrait of London in 1813 that lifts the facade of regency life. Chris Van Dusen and Shondaland’s reimagined conductor is not meant to be history. It was designed to be more luxurious, sexy and funny than standard period drama – and this is what surprised and delighted our members.
More people want to see themselves reflected on the screen
Shondaland fans expect diversity at all of their shows. Bridgerton took a seed of truth about Queen Charlotte’s past to reimagine her as a black monarch using her power to affect a wider change in British society. The empowerment of people of color and women Bridgerton feel accessible and contemporary, resonating with audiences worldwide. To like The Queen’s Gambit and Emily in Paris – two other very popular Netflix series – Bridgerton it is based on themes that are universal, but speak directly to women because they present female protagonists of independent mind in leading roles.
And now … for the second season!