Netflix viewership isn’t the only thing “Bridgerton” has boosted.
According to Netflix, the Shonda Rhimes-produced series has added over a quarter of a billion pounds to the U.K. economy since its launch in December 2020, benefitting over 5,000 local businesses.
To mark the milestone, Rhimes will open markets for trading at the London Stock Exchange on Friday. The announcement was made after the second part of Season 3, which focuses on the romance between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), launched on the streaming platform on Thursday.
“The ‘Bridgerton’ universe occupies a special space in culture, resonating with young and old alike, creating conversation, starting trends and influencing everything from baby names to weddings,” Rhimes said in a statement. “The shows have also had a seismic impact on the U.K. economy, boosting it by a quarter of a billion pounds over the last five years and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses. It is clear that the business of art and culture can make a huge economic contribution to local communities. I could not be prouder.”
Indeed, “Bridgerton” has also boosted visitation to the areas in which it is set, including Bath and Bristol, and has led to a 51% increase in babies named Daphne, a 27% increase in the name Eloise and a 26% increase in Colin since its premiere.
Added Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, “The Exchange was given its formal structure at the start of the 1800s — the same period in which ‘Bridgerton’ is set — and now as then we continue to help companies raise the capital they need to grow and thrive. Our film and creative industries bring enormous benefits to the U.K. economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and building communities, and we are thrilled to celebrate the significant economic and cultural impact of their work.”
