“The Bridgertons”: Shonda Rhimes believes their success proves the industry needs to be more inclusive

When the first season of The Bridgerton premiered on Netflix at Christmas 2020, 82 million families watched it in one month. In April 2022, the second season rolled back and the series already has a third and a Queen Charlotte spin-off underway. One of the main peculiarities of “The Bridgertons” that attracted attention in its day was its multiracial cast., even if, in reality, it is a fiction that has traditionally erased every other race from history and therefore from the popular imagination. The fact is that seeing black or Indian actors and actresses in high society roles in a time series is still shocking, but for its creator, Shonda Rhimes, its success should be taken as a sign that not only the industry must change, is that you can also afford it and it suits you.

In an interview with the Times, Rhimes claimed that the popularity of ‘The Bridgertons “It makes it clear that the business model of shows has to change. Shows with a more inclusive cast have more audience and make more money, make more advertising money. We have shown that it is a more profitable economic model. ” Thus, according to her, divisions were formed “racially aware” they are not only important for the representation and creation of a more just society, they also make economic sense

Advertising yes, but without disturbing

Of course, one thing is that you can make more money with advertising and another that the advertisements have to annoy the episodes. After missing out on a few subscriptions, in the US Netflix has now launched an ad-supported subscription for $ 6.99 per month that will include four to five minutes of advertising per hour. According to CNBC, Rhimes, among other creators like Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House), doesn’t like this at all, although no one has officially stated it. Apparently, it is not just that an advertisement will interrupt, for example, chapters shot as a single sequence of shots, the discomfort would be increased since Netflix does not plan to share the revenue it earns from those ads with them, unlike what Disney + will do with its exclusive content. Those who don’t seem to be at all upset by the platform’s decision are Ryan Murphy (“DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”) and Scott Frank (“Lady’s Gambit”).