“Can I say how enchanting it is to see brown girls as leads in a show?”
Though the storyline is meant to follow our viscount as he searches for a bride, one might argue that there is a vastly more important plot developing. We’re introduced to the Sharmas, an Indian family whose culture is beautifully interwoven into the story. Kate Sharma is determined to find a man worthy of the hand of her younger sister, Edwina, and in the process, Shonda Rhimes expertly crafts a screen presence we do not see enough — dark-skinned Indian women carrying a period piece as graceful, romantic leads.
Before, during, and after binging the season, people took to Twitter to share their thoughts on seeing themselves represented in the show, as well as their appreciation for Shonda, who continues to give underrepresented actors a chance to woo us. Here’s what they had to say:
1.
can I just say how enchanting is it to see brown girls as leads in a show?? bridgerton is changing the game and I for one am so thrilled and excited for young girls like me to finally be able to see themselves in their favorite tv characters #bridgerton
Twitter: @ShaniiWije / Via Twitter: @ShaniiWije
2.
after decades of not ever seeing my name reflected back at me in popular American or Western culture, these promos are already overwhelming me lol https://t.co/OMDWBEAHE4
Liam Daniel/Netflix / Twitter: @versharma / Via Twitter: @versharma
3.
Bridgerton did a superb job at the South Asian representation. Kate and Edwina were characters that were Indian. They didn’t awkwardly point out that they were brown.They incorporated our culture so beautifully with the jewelry, the haldi mask, the hair oiling, and the fabrics🥹
Twitter: @honeyjarhajar / Via Twitter: @honeyjarhajar
5.
Bridgerton is the first time I’ve felt respected and represented in a satisfying way. Like a warm, huldi-covered, brown girl hug. Thank you @shondarhimes
Liam Daniel/Netflix / Twitter: @BhavMaharaj / Via Twitter: @BhavMaharaj
7.
say what you want about bridgerton but a brown woman love story in period piece outfits and classical covers of bollywood songs is literally a cultural reset for me
Twitter: @emoshkaa / Via Twitter: @emoshkaa
8.
Literally so happy about Bridgerton season 2 not only do we get South Asian ladies as leads they’re like properly brown w desi features instead of light skinned and ethnically ambiguous
Twitter: @themehhgatsby / Via Twitter: @themehhgatsby
10.
have not been able to stop thinking about how bridgerton is the first time i’ve seen an indian character on television without making it a big deal. they’re not different because they’re brown they just ARE
Twitter: @shutupsanya / Via Twitter: @shutupsanya
12.
The sense of pride I felt watching #Bridgerton To see a strong, educated, sex positive, outspoken brown girl is insane! It’s so frowned upon in our community. Thank you #SimoneAshley for bringing this character to life!
Liam Daniel/Netflix / Twitter: @Its_MichelleJ / Via Twitter: @Its_MichelleJ
14.
That #Bridgerton S2 clip gave me life! THE CHEMISTRY, THE BANTER, SEEING A BROWN SKINNED SOUTH ASIAN WOMAN IN REGENCY DRESS, KATE’S CONFIDENCE IN CUTTING ANTHONY DOWN, THE PERPLEXED LOOK ON ANTHONY’S FACE @chrisvandusen @bridgerton @netflix
Twitter: @plumbobrobb / Via Twitter: @plumbobrobb
15.
a netflix show with a brown woman and a gay man as leads is the most watched series in the world right now and I think that’s beautiful #Bridgerton • #Kanthony
Netflix / Twitter: @booksb4looks / Via Twitter: @booksb4looks
16.
seeing dark skinned south asian tamil women in a major netflix show is so comforting. there’s so much colorism and racism in south asia alone let alone within its film industry so i’m beyond proud of all the beautiful brown women in bridgerton being the representation we needed
Twitter: @nishasusername / Via Twitter: @nishasusername
17.
Being a South Asian women and a literature student it feels surreal to see Brown female characters represented in Regency era literature in mainstream media. Now that imagination has culminated into reality with a Bollywood touch. How beautiful is the representation. #Bridgerton
Netflix / Twitter: @avantika_panda / Via Twitter: @avantika_panda