Unsettling Knowledge #6: Unsettling Bridgerton: Race, Representation, and Royalty

The popular Netflix show ‘Bridgerton’ has gained much attention having been praised for its grand designs, luxurious costumes, entertaining plotlines, plus its ‘inclusive casting.’ Set in 1913, the show features a diverse cast, portraying wealthy and elite characters as well as less privileged characters. In this sense, the show aspires to have created a universe that is partly based on history and partly based on fiction. While race, colonialism, and slavery have not disappeared in this fantasy, they are not completely addressed either. Instead, ‘Bridgerton’ walks a fine line in which race is presented as a simplified issue that is solved as a “Black King fell in love with a white Queen.”

In this episode, Dr. Rachel Gillett is joined by guests Dr. Alyssa Sepinwall, Angela Tate, and Rohini Jaswal as they take a look at the ways in which race is presented in the show, examining its successes and its failures, the importance of representation, and the way in which Black History is and should be presented on screen.

Check out Dr. Alyssa Sepinwall’s book here: https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/S/Slave-Revolt-on-Screen

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Does historical accuracy matter in entertainment shows? What is inclusive casting? Why does representation matter? How should Black History be portrayed on screen?

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
• Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan
• Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
• Murmur of Rain by Patricia Vaughn
• Loyal League series by Alyssa Cole
• Migrations of the Heart series by Piper G. Huguley
• Empireland by Sathnam Sanghera

Dr. Alyssa Sepinwall: https://twitter.com/DrSepinwall
Angela Tate: https://twitter.com/theglamacademic
Rohini Jaswal: https://thetab.com/author/rohinijaswal

ABOUT
Brought to you by the UGlobe Decolonisation Group
Hosted by Rachel Gillett
Music by CarlosCarty (CC-BY-3.0)
Production assistance from Edan Simpson and Malina Yallanki
Special thanks to our guests Dr. Alyssa Sepinwall, Angela Tate, and Rohini Jaswal.