Don’t Worry, Netflix’s “New Bridgerton” Couldn’t Actually Be More Different

While Bridgerton takes a (presumably long) hiatus between seasons 3 and 4, Netflix is releasing a new TV series that is seemingly similar to Shonda Rhimes’ popular period drama but is actually very different. The historical romance show, created by Chris Van Dusen, is based on Julia Quinn’s book series of the same name and follows the lives of the Bridgerton family. Falling in line with the set of eight novels, every season of Bridgerton revolves around one Bridgerton sibling and their love story, with Daphne’s being told in season 1, Anthony’s in season 2, and Colin’s in season 3.

Given that the wait for the release of Bridgerton season 4 (and the mystery concerning which Bridgerton sibling will headline the next set of episodes) is expected to be long, it makes sense why Netflix would want to debut shows that could serve as replacements for the well-received historical romance series. However, just because a TV show is a period piece, that doesn’t mean it is entirely comparable to Bridgerton. While Netflix’s “new Bridgerton” series is set in a past time period, that’s evidently one of the only qualities it shares with Rhimes’ show.

The Decameron’s Source Material Is Nothing Like Bridgerton’s Period Drama

Giovanni Boccaccio’s Collection Of Short Stories Was Written In The 14th Century

Netflix is set to release all eight episodes of The Decameron on Thursday, July 25, 2024. While The Decameron appears to be as raunchy as Bridgerton based on its trailer and occurs in a different time as opposed to the present day, viewers shouldn’t expect it to be exactly like the historical romance series. Bridgerton is based on romance books written in the 21st century. However, Netflix’s upcoming TV show, created by Kathleen Jordan, is inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron, a collection of short stories originally written in the mid-1300s, when the Black Death was rampant in Europe.

The Decameron Is The Tonal Opposite Of Netflix’s Bridgerton

The Decameron Is A Comedy

Not only is The Decameron‘s source material wildly different from Bridgerton‘s, but the upcoming series also separates itself from the popular historical romance show via its tone and genres. The Decameron is a medieval black comedy, a few words that have never been used to describe Bridgerton. Yes, some of the characters in Bridgerton (like Benedict, Eloise, Lady Danbury, Queen Charlotte, Portia Featherington, and so on) provide occasional comedic relief. But one would not label the series as a comedy.

[The Decameron‘s] combination of the characters’ differing personalities and circumstances, the raunchy themes of sex and drinking, and the ridiculous means of survival presumably results in a hilarious story.

The Decameron takes place in 1348 in Florence, Tuscany, at the height of the bubonic plague, aka the Black Death. The TV show’s story follows a group of wealthy nobles and their servants as they quarantine in a countryside villa as the disease is killing countless Europeans. At first glance, one wouldn’t think that Netflix’s new show The Decameron is a comedy. However, the combination of the characters’ differing personalities and circumstances, the raunchy themes of sex and drinking, and the ridiculous means of survival presumably results in a hilarious story.

According to Tudum by Netflix, creator Kathleen Jordan described The Decameron as “short little horny tales.” Star Jessica Plummer added, “Think, like, Love Island, but back in the day. A lot of drama, a lot of sex, a lot of, yeah, craziness.” So, yes, The Decameron brings just as much sex to the table as Bridgerton, but in a more humorous way than the historical romance series ever will.

Netflix has yet to announce the main character of Bridgerton seasons 4, 5, or 6, with the candidates being Benedict, Eloise, and Francesca.

When The Decameron Is Set Compared To Bridgerton

The Decameron Takes Place Hundreds Of Years Before Bridgerton

As mentioned above, The Decameron is set during the mid-1300s while the Black Death is rapidly spreading across Europe. So, the 14th-century medieval black comedy takes place almost 500 years before Bridgerton‘s timeline. The historical romance show begins in the early 1810s, with Colin and Penelope’s love story in season 3 occurring around 1815. Of course, the Bridgerton prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is set several years prior to the events of the parent series as it is set in 1761 (at least, the scenes featuring young Queen Charlotte and King George).

It’s unclear how many years The Decameron‘s story will span, but it is known that it will begin in 1348. The Black Death began in 1346 and ended in 1353, so, the upcoming show’s timeline may run into the 1350s (depending on its renewal status). Meanwhile, each season of Bridgerton typically takes place one year after the other, meaning that season 4 will likely be set in 1816.

Bridgerton

7/10

Cast Luke Newton, Joanna Bobin, Florence Hunt, Claudia Jessie, Ruby Barker, Martins Imhangbe, Isabella Cortese, Luke Thompson, Charithra Chandran, Simone Ashley, Adjoa Andoh, Ben Miller, Golda Rosheuvel, Ruth Gemmell, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Bailey, Rege-Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor, Will Tilston, Ruby Stokes, Julie Andrews, Shelley Conn, Polly Walker

Release Date December 25, 2020

Seasons 3

Genres Drama, Romance

Creator(s) Chris Van Dusen