Period Drama Fans Already Have a Bone To Pick With The Buccaneers

Though no one attacks Bridgerton for the exact same thing.

With the announcement of the Apple TV adaptation of The Buccaneers, it was inevitable that the series would be compared to Netflix 's Bridgerton, which is now heading into its third season.

While there are many plot differences, there are also just as many similarities between the two that cannot be denied.

And the biggest one has to be the mix of modern teen drama with old school period romance genres.

Although the fans of the former genre seem to be quite satisfied with The Buccaneers trailer that was dropped by an official Apple TV account on October 4th, the fans of the latter have already found a few bones to pick with the upcoming series.

The main one is the language, which is far from being both the book and historically accurate.

The original novel The Buccaneers was written by Edith Wharton and published in 1938, while the story it covers takes place some 60 years earlier, in the 1870s. The story revolves around the clash between the American and British aristocracy of the time, as young American women and their guardians come to England in search of husbands with European titles.

The book is considered a period classic, but the Apple TV adaptation takes a more modern approach, clearly inspired by the success of Shonda Rhimes' Bridgerton. The main characters, though dressed appropriately and set in a historically accurate location, don't seem to act the way they should’ve acted in the set century.

In the trailer, the characters are seen to act like any other young girl you’d meet on the streets of your hometown. Other than the gowns, the hairstyles, and the lack of iPhones in their hands, nothing would separate them from a 2023 chronically online blogger you follow on any social media platform.

While the need to appeal to younger and more modern viewers is completely understandable, and judging by the overwhelmingly positive reactions from general audiences, the show succeeds in doing so, true lovers of classical period dramas feel left out of the celebration.

The lack of historical accuracy only ruins the precious illusion into which viewers want to escape the reality of a modern world. And, however sad that is, the trend doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

If you don’t find the modernization of The Buccaneers characters an issue, and still are intrigued to see the show, make sure to mark November 8th in your calendars to not forget to Apple TV Plus for the series’ premiere.