Since its release in December 2020, Netflix’s Bridgerton has enthralled audiences around the world with its lavish backdrop, complicated narratives, and multicultural casts. Bessie Carter is part of the ensemble cast as Prudence Featherington, the dramatically entertaining character. In an interview recently, Carter spoke about her experience with the show’s record-breaking success and why it found such great response from audience around the world.
Carter credits some of Bridgerton’s popularity to the timing of its release, as audiences were looking for escapism at the time. “It provided everybody with a positive escapism, which we desperately needed then,” she said, noting the timing of the show’s debut during global lockdowns. The show presented a colorful, romanticized London of the Regency period, serving as a welcome distraction from the problems of the real world.
Though Bridgerton is designed for the early 19th century, it differentiates itself in that it injects contemporary sensibilities into the classic period drama conventions. Carter praised this fusion, adding that the show “takes everything we love about period dramas and turns it into something fresh, topical, and relatable.” This strategy includes multicultural casting, modern music covers, and liberal narratives that are relevant to audiences now.
Embracing Diversity and Inclusivity
A feature of Bridgerton is its dedication to representation. The show reimagines historical accounts by depicting a racially mixed aristocracy, breaking up traditional depictions of the period. Carter highlighted the significance of this inclusivity, noting that it enables audiences across a range of backgrounds to see themselves represented in the narrative, creating an enhanced sense of connection to the characters and storylines.
Bridgerton’s innovative use of music also contributes to its unique appeal. The series features classical renditions of contemporary pop songs, bridging the gap between past and present. This musical choice enhances the show’s modern feel while maintaining its period setting, creating a distinctive auditory experience that complements the visual storytelling.
Carter’s appearance as Prudence Featherington provides an added comic relief to the show. She points out that even such characters are developed and given complexity, enabling audiences to empathize with them despite their shortcoming. This complex character development keeps the viewers engaged in each character’s personal life, adding to the show overall.
The series’ universal themes of love, ambition, and social expectation resonated with a wide audience. Bridgerton was one of Netflix’s most viewed series soon after its release, with season two garnering 193 million viewing hours during its first weekend alone. The actress Carter was thankful to be included in the show that has had such a significant cultural resonance by pointing out that the success of the series attests to the worldwide hunger for stories that cross traditional and innovative boundaries.
Looking Ahead
With Bridgerton still growing, Carter is looking forward to where the series will go from here. She is hoping that it will keep pushing boundaries and trying new stories, engaging and making people think. “There’s still so much to uncover in this world,” she said, indicating the vast wealth of stories that still need to be told in the Bridgerton universe.
In short, Bessie Carter attributes Bridgerton’s success to its innovation in presenting period dramas, its adherence to diversity, and its emotionally engaging storytelling. By merging the old with the new, the series has created a distinctive niche in the world of television, engaging audiences and redefining the genre.
