Bridgerton (2020)

The critic calls the series an utter joy and a fun cross between Gossip Girl and Jane Austen set in a fantasy Regency London. She singles out the frank handling of sex and self-pleasure as well as the sumptuous visuals and costumes for praise.

The critic describes the show as a confectionary treat that mixes Regency romance tropes with Shondaland sensibilities for a swoony, modern take. She singles out the inclusive casting and the explicit, insightful exploration of sex and desire as standout elements.

The critic praises the series as a heady, inviting fantasy of pleasure and true love that expands the romance genre with inclusive casting while delivering sparkling momentum and escapism.

The critic calls the series a fizzy, ebullient period romance that's easy to love and arrives at just the right time after a difficult year.

The review calls it a glossy Downton Abbey replacement and pleasingly OTT exercise in escapism with a diverse cast and enlightened heroines. It singles out the lavish production and modern spin on Regency romance for praise.

The critic calls it a delectably smart confection that weaves feminist critique through the marriage plot. She singles out the observations on patriarchal traditions and their effects on female characters, along with the believable obstacles in the central romance.

The review praises the sumptuous costumes, glorious backdrops and modern take on Regency romance as fun, frivolous and frothy escapism perfect for Christmas. It singles out the diverse casting and fully imagined world for praise.

The critic finds the series preposterous and cliché-ridden yet moreish and addictive, leaving viewers wanting more despite its flaws. They single out the over-the-top dialogue and Downton Abbey influences for complaint while noting its escapist appeal.

The critic describes a vision of Regency England that is excessively clean and polished, falling between stools as neither stolid like Downton Abbey nor sexy enough like Harlots. They single out the American-influenced glossy adaptation and lack of grit for complaint.

The critic praises the series as a delightfully horny and addictive Regency romance that knows exactly what it is and delivers on it with modern twists, beautiful costumes, and strong performances. She singles out the show's frank treatment of sexuality and its blend of escapism with emotional depth for praise.

The critic finds that the series redefines period romance on TV with concise storytelling, strong character development, big-budget aesthetics, and standout diversity that sets a new standard.

The critic calls the series pure swoony joy and a delightful bit of escapism that feels like exactly the right show for the moment, with wonderful chemistry, a feminist thread, and a female-centered approach to sex and romance. She singles out the vibrant costumes, anachronistic pop score, and diverse casting for praise.

The critic calls Bridgerton an escapist delight that mixes Regency-era melodrama with modern explicitness. She praises its bingeable quality and the escapist fantasy of the close-knit family amid a difficult year.