5 Ways Netflix's Bridgerton Put the Books to Shame (Just Kidding, Sort Of)
Don’t kill me, book lovers!
Yes, the Bridgerton novels by Julia Quinn are swoony and fun. But while there are some ways the books are better than the show, there are actually a number of ways that I think the Netflix series is an improvement.
THAT scene
Bridgerton Season 1 has a controversial scene that crossed the line for many fans. But the incident is way, way worse in the book. The novel The Duke and I features a scene where Daphne gets Simon drunk and then initiates sex with him while he's passed out. When Simon awakes, he begs Daphne to stop – not with a couple of stuttered "waits", but fully, articulately pleading. Yikes. As painful as you might have found this in the show, it's unbearable in the novel.
Edmund Bridgerton's death
In the books, Anthony learns second-hand that his father has died from a bee sting. The TV writers changed it so that Anthony is actually present at his father's sudden passing, and the psychological impact is much more profound. Heartbreaking – but dramatically a much more interesting choice.
Queen Charlotte
Her Royal Highness Queen Charlotte is not a character in the books – that's an addition by the writers of Bridgerton. Whether it's down to the writing or wonderfully hammy Golda Rosheuvel, this character is a fan favourite for good reason. When she isn't throwing shade and sporting absurdly large wigs, she provides good motivations for the plot to move forward.
The lower classes… exist
Sure, Bridgerton is mostly about the upper crust of Regency society. But unlike the novels, the TV show has introduced major characters who come from much lower down on the social ladder. This includes the dressmaker Genevieve Delacroix, the boxer Will Mondrich, and the printer's assistant Theo Sharpe.
So far none of these characters have taken the center stage in a season-long love story, but at least they are well-rounded characters with ambition, intelligence, and the ability to meaningfully impact the plot.
Penelope doesn't have to lose weight
Admittedly we don't know yet what the exact circumstances are around Penelope and Colin getting together on Bridgerton. But early photos from Season 3 indicate that Penelope has dramatically improved her wardrobe and hair choices. What she hasn't done is lost a ton of weight, the way she does in the books before Colin deigns to notice her. It's nice to see that Bridgerton plans to let Penelope be fallen in love with, just as she is.