Netflix’s Bridgerton Show First Look Images Confirm Christmas Release Date

3 years ago

Netflix’s Bridgerton Show First Look Images Confirm Christmas Release Date

Netflix has set the release date and first-look images for Bridgerton, its new costume drama by Shonda Rhimes. The series will debut on Christmas.

Netflix has unveiled the release date and first-look images for Bridgerton, its upcoming period drama developed by the prolific Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder creator Shonda Rhimes in her streaming debut. Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn's eponymous best-selling novel series, which explored the lives of the eight aristocratic children of the late Viscount Bridgerton in Regency London: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Set between 1813 and 1827, Quinn had set out to develop a Bridgerton trilogy. But she found herself so enamored in the titular family's immersive dynamics that she ended up developing an octet of novels, each centered on one of the Viscount's children.

First announced in July 2018, Bridergton marked TV juggernaut Rhimes' first project on Netflix following an epic-eight show deal that the prolific TV produced closed with the streamer in 2017. Quinn always wanted a televised adaptation of her work, but there was a prestige issue in the industry as producers did not find romance a viable source material. Rhimes, however—breaking all stereotypes—adapted Quinn's work for Netflix, bringing on board her frequent collaborator Chris Van Dusen as the series showrunner. In June 2019, Dame Julie Andrews was signed as the narrator for Bridgerton. Subsequently, in July 2019, Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page were finalized as its leads, while Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh, and Polly Walker rounded out the main cast.

On Thursday, Netflix shared several first-look images from Bridgerton, while confirming the series to be a part of its Christmas slate. All eight episodes of Bridergton will arrive on Netflix on December 25, 2020. The 10 images that Netflix has unveiled from the show feature the series spectacular ensemble in their finest period outfits. One of the images features magical chemistry between the leads Daphne (Dynevor) and Simon (Page); meanwhile, another is a family picture of the close-knit Bridgerton siblings. Take a look at the resplendent and dazzling first look images below.

According to Netflix, Bridgerton follows the titular family's eldest daughter Daphne as she enters London's bustling but cut-throat marriage market in the early 19th century. Yearning for true love like her parents', Daphne matchlessly attracts several proposals. But Daphne's brother spurns several of them, leading her to get vilified by the high society scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown (Andrews). Amid the ongoing matchmaking struggles, Daphne encounters the highly desirable and rebellious Duke of Hastings Simon Basset (Page), on whom the eyes of all damsels are set. Daphne and Simon are polar opposites, yet sparks fly when the two meet. The two subsequently engage in a battle of wits, which gives rise to electrifying chemistry between them.

Bridgerton is a true Christmas gift from Netflix to its subscribers who have developed a penchant for gorgeous romantic dramas after the arrival of Emily in Paris on the streamer. And as obtained from the show's splendid first look images, Bridgerton is primed to give Downtown Abbey a run for its money. Rhimes has been the mastermind behind several successful woman-led TV shows. And in her streaming debut, she has set out to prove that romance is just as viable a source material, as are works in other genres. Quinn's novel series had eight books, one for each sibling. So with Bridgerton season 1 focusing on Daphne, viewers can expect the show's subsequent iterations to revolve around their other favorite characters.