The Representation of Intercultural Relationships in ‘Bridgerton’

The portrayal of intercultural relationships within the South Asian community has sparked conversations and captivated audiences worldwide.

When speaking to interracial couples, it has been recognised that TV shows on Netflix have multiple representations of intercultural relationships that can be personally identifiable.

Bridgerton, adapted from Julia Quinn’s novels, by Shonda Rhimes, offers a regency-era romance with a diverse, inclusive twist.

The show has a history of taking centre stage in normalising intercultural relationships.

It is also known for depicting the complexities and nuances involved.

Set in 19^th-century England, Bridgerton challenges traditional norms by featuring characters of various ethnicities in positions of power and influence.

In Season One released in 2020, the Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset (Rege-Jean Page) marries Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), out of love rather than convenience.

During this love story, the Duke’s skin colour is irrelevant during the courting of this couple’s relationship.

In the second season of Bridgerton, released in 2022, Anthony Bridgerton (Johnathan Bailey) begins his search for a wife.

The Sharma family had just travelled from India and arrived in London, where they were introduced to the ton.

The two Sharma sisters – Kate and Edwina – are played by Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran respectively.

By weaving together themes of love, identity and acceptance, Bridgerton mirrors the South Asian community and beyond, reflecting the complexities and richness of relationships that transcend borders.

DESIblitz delves into the representations of intercultural relationships in Bridgerton.

Kate and Anthony’s Love Story

In the eloquent world of Bridgerton, love blooms amidst societal expectations and familial duty.

The slow-burn love story between Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma transcends social boundaries and cultural expectations, illustrating that love knows no limits, not even across cultural divides.

This captivating romance stands out as a beacon of intercultural connection and understanding.

Anthony, the dashing Viscount is burdened with the weight of his family legacy. He is headstrong about finding the perfect suitor to become the future viscountess.

This is until he meets Kate Sharma – an independent, outspoken newcomer whose Indian heritage sets her apart in Regency-era London.

The pair navigate their conflicting desires for each other, following the enemies-to-lovers trope extremely well.

While Kate’s sister Edwina Sharma is the diamond of the season, Kate concentrates on finding Edwina a perfect suitor to be a husband.

However, no matter how hard they try to stay out of each other’s way, Kate and Anthony keep colliding.

As a result, they become emotionally entangled. This increases the tension and leaves the audience uncertain as to where they are heading.

Representations

Spin-Off

Bridgerton is no stranger to representing the love between different races. There is a spin-off show depicting the love between Queen Charlotte and King George.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a spin-off demonstrating the complicated romance between Charlotte (India Ria Amarteifio) and George (Corey Mylchreest).

Charlotte’s brother signs a contract marrying her to George however she is not keen on the idea of marriage.

George’s mother does not realise Charlotte is black.

Therefore, she invites prominent people of colour to the wedding, giving them titles to desegregate the ton.

Charlotte attempts to run away before the ceremony but George lays on the charm, convincing her to stay.

After the wedding, Charlotte is given her house separate from George which she protests.

However, Charlotte later discovers George’s mental health problems and that he is trying to protect her.

Representations in this spin-off are insightful to matters including male mental health and marital struggles.

Furthermore, it is rare to see a black woman with a white man, especially in a Regency-era show.

Kate and Anthony’s love story is different though.

Media

Media representations of interracial relationships between South Asian women and white men have been scarce.

This makes Bridgerton pivotal in demonstrating the commonality of intercultural relationships.

Intercultural relationships between people of all races should be accepted.

Representations of such bonds are more important than viewers may think.

In Bridgerton, Kate and Anthony’s relationship challenges stereotypes in several ways.

Firstly, their relationship is built on mutual respect.

This challenges the notion of the dominant male and submissive female dynamic prominent in multiple cultures.

Unlike traditional relationships, Kate and Anthony prioritise open communication and conversation.

This also challenges the stereotype that males and females engage in differing communication styles.

Kate and Anthony strive for an equal partnership, where both individuals have agency and influence.

This paints a progressive picture of people who may have more negative ideals about equality in relationships.

Representation and Visibility

The visual splendour of Bridgerton enhances the narrative of Kate and Anthony’s intercultural romance.

Intricate costumes that are reminiscent of South Asian culture worn by Kate reflect her differing background to Anthony and the rest of the ton.

The show uses chikankari-style embroidery. This is a delicate form of embroidery that depicts images of nature, flowering branches, and blooming lotuses.

This, along with Kate’s jewellery are visual signifiers that highlight her different cultural identity.

These costumes symbolise Kate’s heritage, traditions, and the challenges of navigating an intercultural romance.

Representing all of these components makes South Asians and their culture more visible to people who may not have had much understanding previously.

Cultural Exchange

Pregnancy and Sex

In Season Three, Kate falls pregnant and typically, pregnant Indian women return to their paternal homes for the baby to be born there.

Anthony recommends that they return to India for the birth so that the baby knows its ‘Sharma’ side.

This shows that Kate and Anthony are not only exchanging cultures but also accepting and welcoming Kate’s Indian heritage.

Many South Asian women have shared their thoughts and opinions surrounding the Sharmas and Season Two.

For example, one viewer said: “It was amazing seeing the Sharma family this season.

“I love romantic period dramas and this is the first time I have seen someone who looks like me in it.”

Another user commented about the representation of culture:

“Amazing to see South Asian culture represented so well.

“I love that they put brown girls with dark skin. This representation is amazing as a South Asian Indian girl.”

It is rare to see sex scenes between people of different races on TV, especially in a Regency-era drama.

However, Season Three has not shied away from including a lot of these scenes.

Representing sex and passion between an Indian woman and a white man is a progressive way of normalising intercultural relationships.

It is sometimes considered taboo when a South Asian woman has sex on screen.

Views of the Audience

Sangeeta Pillai, Founder of the South Asian feminist network, Soul Sutras, explains:

“In the culture of 1980s India, sex was nowhere to be seen.

“In the Bollywood films that I grew up watching, every time a couple came together for a kiss, a flower would be super-imposed between them.”

Bridgerton breaks this negative social stigma, sparking conversations.

One Reddit user states:

“I never thought I would see a South Asian character experience a passionate love story but thanks to Bridgerton I did!”

Bridgerton invokes inspiration and empowerment through its representation of intercultural relationships.

By watching Kate and Anthony’s intricate and evolving relationship onscreen,  the audience can see such bonds as normal rather than taboo.

Promoting acceptance is important in Bridgerton.

Viscountess Violet Bridgerton (Anthony’s mother) prides herself in finding a love match and encourages her children to do the same.

The Bridgerton family were more than welcoming of Kate when she and Anthony married.

They saw no issue in Kate being of South Asian heritage and were happy that Anthony found love.

This positive media representation can inspire other interracial couples.

Thus, Bridgerton not only entertains and engages viewers, but also serves as a powerful narrative that explores the universal themes of love, acceptance, and connections that transcend boundaries.