Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page says hit Netflix show is Downton Abbey’s ‘more scandalous sibling’
Show set in Regency-era London is proving a hit for Netflix
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page has said he hopes the new Netflix show is providing some “colourful and fluffy” entertainment for fans in lockdown over Christmas.
Based on the bestselling novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton was produced by Shonda Rhimes (Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Grey’s Anatomy), and follows two high-society families in Regency-era London.
Page, who plays the broody Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, told BBC Breakfast that he viewed the series as “Downton Abbey’s wayward sibling” but “considerably more scandalous”.
“I think the idea we had with Bridgerton was very much in the early conversations, to do something fresh and exciting and entirely more fun, fast, funny and glamorous than has been done before in the period genre,” he said.
“It's kind of meant to be something a bit kind of colourful and fluffy for Christmas, hopefully like a big, warm Regency hug to help you get through a festive period that's been a little bit different for everyone this year.”
Each episode follows Phoebe Dynevor's character, Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family, as she makes her debut on the competitive marriage market.
It also stars Dame Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown, an anonymous and mysterious gossip writer.
Page, 30, described the Duke of Hastings, as “tall, dark, broody and thoroughly broken”, adding: “But also very charming when he wants to be.”
He said he particularly wanted to explore why audiences are so drawn to characters such as the Duke of Hastings, along with “our Darcys and our Heathcliffs”, and how to bring in a 21st Century conversation to the role.
Bridgerton is the first series from Rhimes's production company Shondaland, following her deal with Netflix.
The Independent gave the show four stars, calling it “watchable fluff, with everyone involved refreshingly aware they are producing a piece of entertainment rather than A History of the English-Speaking People”.
“Nobody’s going to mistake Bridgerton for Austen, but it hardly matters. It looks great, rattles along, and doesn’t ask too much of the exhausted, depressed, locked-down Christmas viewer. A shiny little stocking filler,” the review concluded.
Additional reporting by Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments