Caption: Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan expertly shuts down critics of diverse casting Picture: Netflix
Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan has expertly shut down those who criticised the diverse cast in the show, citing the tens of millions of households who have tuned in to watch the period drama.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Bridgerton was expected to have reached 63 million households within four weeks of its Christmas Day release.
This projection would also make the period drama Netflix’s fifth biggest original show ever launched on the platform.
While aristocratic roles in other period TV series and films are often played by white actors, in Bridgerton, main and supporting characters are portrayed by a diverse cast.
Following the announcement of Bridgerton’s projected four-week figures, Nicola – who plays Penelope Featherington in the series – celebrated the news by hitting back at those who criticised its commitment to diversity.
‘You know the way some people were like “Diversity in period drama doesn’t work”…. 63 million households thought it did tho so,’ she tweeted.
In a second tweet, Nicola, 33, explained that some people tried to ‘downvote’ Bridgerton on IMDb.
‘Remember people were trying to downvote the show on IMDb cos it was so diverse?’ she said.
‘You can’t downvote us being Netflix fifth biggest original release ever.’
Several people left comments in response to Nicola’s tweet praising Bridgerton for featuring a diverse cast.
‘I feel like it’s been a long-standing theory that Hollywood continues to make period pieces as an excuse to not have to cast any non-white actors, shout out to Bridgerton for setting a new standard that ALL MOVIE STUDIOS SHOULD LEARN FROM NOW,’ one person said.
‘I love period dramas and to see people in period dramas that look like me is… Kind of emotional. I know it’s just a silly show but it’s really freaking cool to see that,’ another wrote.
Following his performance as the Duke of Hastings in Bridgerton, fans have called for Regé-Jean Page to be considered as the next James Bond after Daniel Craig steps down from the role.
Regé-Jean appears to quite like the notion himself, having shared a tweet in December in promotion of Bridgerton with the caption: ‘Shaken and stirred.’
Bridgerton is available to watch on Netflix.
