The first season of Netflix’s original series Bridgerton was released on Dec. 25, and despite being set 200 years in the past, has many reflections on the 21st century. The show includes gorgeous scenes and costumes, unique music, and color-inclusive casting. Viewers were quick to watch, with Netflix revealing that after six weeks, 63 million households had watched the show. Just weeks after being released, the show has already been renewed for a second season. 

Bridgerton opens in 1813 London, during courting season. The plot follows the eight siblings of the Bridgerton family, focusing on Daphne, as they attempt to find love in their society. The social and love lives of the characters are narrated and sometimes instigated by the scandal-paper writer Lady Whistledown. Her identity becomes a mystery, similar to that as seen on Gossip Girl. Lady Bridgerton must marry off eight of her children without the assistance of her late husband. These eight children include Daphne, who inconveniently wants to marry for love, and Eloise, who does not wish to marry at all. After being pursued by unwanted and borderline predatory suitors, Daphne makes a pact with the Duke of Hastings, Simon, to fake a courtship that will benefit both of them, vowing not to develop feelings for each other. This agreement goes exactly where you’d guess, with that vow being broken. Across the street from the titular Bridgerton family is the Featheringtons, with the mother Portia guiding three daughters and a brought-in distant cousin through courtship.

Bridgerton transports its viewers to the lavish lives of Dukes and Duchesses in 1800’s England and makes viewers wish they could live in the show. There is never a dull moment, and while the main plot is slightly predictable, plot twists and scandals are often thrown in to liven up the drama and romance, giving viewers a lot to invest in. Some of the vocabulary, accurate to the time period, used in the script may be confusing for some viewers.

The show has sparked many new trends, such as the demand for classical cover versions of modern pop songs as heard in the show, such as “Thank U, Next” by Ariana Grande and “bad guy” by Billie Eilish. Vitamin String Quartret, the musical group that provided these covers, has seen a 350% increase in streams since the shows release in December. It was clear that Bridgerton’s classic covers would be featured since pre-production, as it fits the show’s time period while keeping it engaging for modern audiences.

From stunning costumes to romance, to scandals and drama all taking place in a beautiful setting, Bridgerton keeps viewers engaged and excited for more.