Why It Seems Unlikely ‘Bridgerton’ Will Have 8 Seasons on Netflix
Netflix dropped Bridgerton Season 2 on March 25, and many viewers quickly binged all eight Shondaland episodes. But how many seasons will there be of Bridgerton? Many viewers want to know when Bridgerton Season 3 is coming and which Bridgerton sibling the next installment follows. Fans shouldn’t get too excited. Although there are eight Julia Quinn novels — one for each sibling — it doesn’t seem likely that the Netflix series will have a full eight seasons.
‘Bridgerton’ Season 2 reviews disappointing compared to season 1
Although Bridgerton Season 1 topped Netflix’s charts for the most-watched series ever (many thanks to Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page), the second season isn’t getting quite as stunning reviews. Like with any new series, it’s hard to top the inaugural run that took fans by storm, but this second installment had an uphill battle from the start.
Bridgerton Season 2 doesn’t follow the Bridgerton books as closely. Many viewers who read the Bridgerton book series first are not happy with the changes in the second season. The other main complaint from critics like Variety is that it takes too long to get to the love story of Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey). Plus, it’s far less steamy than the first season.
The Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score for Bridgerton Season 2 is 76%, down from season 1, in which critics scored at 87% fresh. If Bridgerton Season 3 and 4 continue down the same path, it’s hard to see the show renewed for eight seasons.
‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 and 4 were renewed at Netflix but might not continue past that
After the hype of Bridgerton Season 1, Netflix quickly renewed the series for season 2. A shocking 82 million households viewed the series on the streaming giant in its first four weeks. Although fans couldn’t believe that Regé-Jean Page wouldn’t even make a cameo in season 2, readers of the ton did get a pleasant surprise with a quick renewal of Bridgerton Season 3 and 4 in April 2021.
However, Netflix shows are not typically long-running, notably if they feature a diverse cast, like Bridgerton. According to Newsweek, in 2020, 17 of the 23 canceled shows featured a female lead, a person of color as the lead, or a member of the LGBTQ community. The typical worry from Netflix is how long viewers might wait around to see another season of their beloved show. There are only a few exceptions where a show with a diverse cast stuck around on Netflix.
Orange Is the New Black had a diverse cast and ran for seven seasons. Currently, Netflix doesn’t have any original series that lasted past seven seasons, so Bridgerton would be a first. Fans hope it has the lasting power that other shows did not to tell the stories of the eight Bridgerton books. Based on Netflix’s history, the odds are against it.
Shonda Rhimes is ready to write 8 ‘Bridgerton’ seasons
Netflix’s track record carrying a show into eight seasons is not excellent — it has never happened. However, Bridgerton show creator Shonda Rhimes is convinced viewers will see season 8.
“There are eight Bridgerton siblings, and as far as I’m concerned, there are eight ‘Bridgerton’ seasons,” Rhimes told Variety. “And maybe more.”
She explained to the outlet that renegotiations with Netflix for seasons 3 and 4 were shockingly easy.
“Usually, negotiations are long and protracted and painful and back and forth,” she added. “And I always say it feels like somebody wants to kick you before they give you the pony.” However, it was different with Bridgerton. “It felt very much like everybody was on the same page.”
That was after 82 million households binged the first season. Will the same amount of viewers continue to watch years later? Only time will tell.
Bridgerton Seasons 1 and 2 are currently available for streaming on Netflix.
