Bridgerton is back, and we’re bringing television to the regency era. In-between balls and Bacchanalias, the 19th century socialites need something to help them unwind as they take off their corsets. Here’s a sumptuous selection of the best TV we’d recommend for a few choice characters.
Colin Bridgerton
Luke Newton (The Lodge)
Archer
The third eldest Bridgerton has recently made a most un-gentlemanly name for himself by flirting with just about every eligible young lady in London.
Colin is a smooth operator fit for the 19th century. In that sense, he’d probably get on with the equally philandering Stirling Archer, star of the animated spy comedy.
Race Across The World
What better show for the debonair globetrotter?
The contestants on BBC One’s hit reality travel show have access to technology that Colin could only dream of. Imagine his delight – or maybe jealousy – in seeing two best mates from Hertfordshire muddling their way through South Korea.
Pride and Prejudice
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Bridgerton never grows up lonely. Colin was raised with seven, yes, seven, siblings. It gets pretty cramped in that horse drawn carriage, and Elizabeth Bennett knows the feeling. The star of Jane Austen’s second novel – famously adapted by the BBC in 1995 – grew up with four sisters: Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. – JM
Penelope Featherington
Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls)
Hannah Montana
Penelope Featherington and Miley Stewart both live secret double lives, Pen as the enigmatic Lady Whistledown and Miley as world famous popstar Hannah Montana.
Although this is a hefty comparison, this is where it ends - unlike Miley’s bestie Lily, Pen’s best friend Eloise (Claudia Jessie, Line of Duty) isn’t quite as supportive, and her identity can’t be concealed by a big blonde wig.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Picture her post-match analysis after watching an episode (“dearest gentle watcher, there is word of a drunken quarrel amongst the Hills, following Lady Kim Richard’s swilling Lisa Rinna in the face with a glass of wine”). When the ton gets boring, Pen would always have somewhere to get her drama fill.
Gossip Girl
Self-explanatory. Lady Whistledown would surely see Gossip Girl as her successor, her mentee, her heir apparent. – ECS
Eloise Bridgerton
Claudia Jessie (Vanity Fair)
We Are Lady Parts
Eloise Bridgerton is known for her rebellious streak, and it doesn’t get more countercultural than Lady Parts, the all-girl Muslim punk band.
Like Eloise, the bandmates have had to fight for their corner, just with fewer corsets. Overbearing parents? Sexist partners? Screaming in a field? Bring it on: Lady Parts have seen it all.
Cowboy Bebop
Eloise has enjoyed many a tête-à-tête about the great philosophers. Until there’s an adaptation of Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirits in the works, we recommend Cowboy Bebop.
The anime wrestles with questions of loneliness, ennui and the inescapability of the past. It’s more fun than we’re making it sound.
Hacks
Eloise is enamoured by Lady Whistledown, a woman who can write, and be heard.
Wait until she watches Hacks, which follows two women who keep writing comedy even when the world wishes they would stop. In the show, younger audiences are switching off from Deborah Vance’s act, while Ava Daniels is licking her wounds after being freshly cancelled. This doesn’t stop either of them: instead, they form an unlikely alliance, and do what they do best, even if it makes them unpopular. Lady Whistledown would approve, and Eloise would be in awe. – JM
Cressida Cowper
Jessica Madsen (Leatherface)
The Ultimatum
I’m sure the ‘pre-spinster’ Cressida would enjoy seeing couples falling apart at the seams.
The Ultimatum has couples break up and live with other people for three weeks, to see if marriage with their original partner is what they want. The knowledge that most of the show's relationships are a sham will probably calm Cressida down considerably.
The Good Place
Like Eleanor Shellstrop, Cressida doesn't start her arc as the most ethical person. Maybe seeing Eleanor discovering her inner morality might urge her to do the same! Albeit Eleanor is up against eternal damnation and not the 19th century marriage mart.
Gilmore Girls
Both Cressida and Lorelai have a mother trying to force them into a relationship. However, Lorelai has managed to separate herself, and is (often) happily single. A role model like Lorelai might take a bit of the pressure off. – ECS
Francesca Bridgerton
Hannah Dodd (Enola Holmes 2)
The Piano
Francesca Bridgerton was away for much of the first couple of series playing pianoforte in Bath. This series, she has returned, ready to debut this social season… but still sneaking off in the middle of balls to play her piano.
Surely she would fantasise that Claudia Winkleman and Mika were waiting around the corner, ready to take her away and give her a ready-made job as a concert pianist?
Normal People
Francesca’s not the best at chatting up her suitors, preferring comfortable silence to flirting. So, we’re certain that Connell and Marianne’s unique communication style would make them Francesca’s number one ship.
Brooklyn 99
Like Detective Rosa Diaz, Francesca is quiet with a snappy sense of humour. Unlike Francesca, Rosa is able to carve her own path. She doesn’t have to be a debutant. She doesn’t even have to tell anyone her real name. Something Francesca would aspire to, perhaps. – ECS
