Bridgerton’s perfect replacement is this forgotten 2016 drama based on a 155-year-old book

yet Bridgerton Season 3, audiences are understandably eager to see what awaits in the next installment of the story – but the best place to get more historical drama from ​​a similar time and setting is actually a critically acclaimed 2016 BBC series. With its emphasis on social intrigue, romance and complex relationships, Bridgerton is a compelling melodrama that brings to life early 19th century society in an interesting and unconventional way. While features like BridgertonThe ingenious use of modern music and seductive tone are difficult to replicate, other aspects of what made the show such a hit can be found elsewhere.

Even though Bridgerton First stealing headlines for its steamy romance and soap opera-style subplots, it has become clear that the show is much more nuanced than many initially gave it credit for. rather than the smooth surface, The real key to its success is the believable and complex character dynamicsWith relationship arcs spanning several seasons and undergoing dramatic change – all in a period setting. Many shows have tried to repeat Bridgertons formula. However, one series that offers the same level of deep character development in the same setting – and more besides – is the acclaimed BBC drama, War and peace.

War and Peace is the perfect show to watch after Bridgerton

It is an adaptation of Tolstoy’s legendary novel

Based on what is widely regarded as the greatest novel ever written, The BBC adaptation of War and peace is the perfect Bridgerton accompaniment. Just like the Netflix show, the 2016 series is set in the early 19th century – albeit a few years earlier Bridgertons history, and in a different country. Nevertheless, the stories have remarkable overlap, while their period setting means they appeal to the same sensibility.

As in the 1869 novel, War and peace Begins in Russia in 1805, with the early narrative focusing on intrigue, social gossip and blossoming romance. as in BridgertonThe story also revolves around several central familieswhose stories and relationships dictate the drama – with key historical events from their perspective. When the story begins, the aristocracy engages in exactly the sort of ritual socializing seen in Bridgerton – Far more concerned about scandal than the looming threat of war. This blissful ignorance is soon punctured as the story unfolds and is indicative of the same privileged innocence that permeates Bridgerton.

Tonally, the show is undeniably different from Bridgerton. While Bridgerton Deliberately challenges historical convention with its colorblind casting and modern music, War and peace Represents a more accurate recreation of Russian life during the Napoleonic Wars. However, with its exploration of innocence lost through experience and tragedy, and an examination of how ambition, love and duty can shape one’s life – combined with its period setting – War and peace is a natural Bridgerton accompaniment.

War and Peace takes Bridgerton’s themes and expands on them

The show presents a more complex portrait

despite the fact that “War“In this title, The impact of War and peace Does not come from his action set pieces – although these are also spectacular. Instead, just like BridgertonThe drama comes from the compelling dynamics between its key characters, allowing the show to explore what it means to love and be loved, as well as how competing interests can get in the way of romance and happiness.

The two stories are full of emotional conflict – whether it’s Penelope Featherington’s inner angst over her Lady Whistledown persona, or the bumbling Pierre Bezhukov trying to navigate treacherous relatives to steal his newly acquired fortune. In both cases, The drama stems from deception and complicated character dynamicsFraming Bridgerton And War and peace firmly in the same context.

But, while Bridgerton‘s tone is deliberately more melodramatic, War and peace Includes real tragedy in a story that adopts a much more self-serious tone. There is a real danger in the narrative. Not similar Bridgertonwhich always seem to be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction, War and peace is a much more accurate reflection of the fact that, sometimes, happy endings are not always possible. It’s a powerful message that, considering the period setting, makes war and peace Seem like a dark mirror to Bridgertons colorful frippery.

War and Peace gives Bridgerton’s Story important context

Knowing the story enhances the drama

Despite being a historical series, Bridgerton Does not dwell on the complexities of real-world events that coincide with the story. Perhaps the closest that the franchise has come is in the Queen Charlotte Prequel, in which The story takes a revisionist look at Charlotte and George’s marriageAs well as George’s actual mental illness. While generally ignoring history works for Bridgertons story, the consequence is that the audience is not given a significant background that could illuminate certain aspects of the action.

Just like the original novel, War and peace is rooted in historicism. While the main players are fictional, Some real figures of Russian history are in the story. The show and novel are both fascinating insights into the Napoleonic Wars from a Russian perspective (also providing a useful counterweight to other productions at the time, such as Ridley Scott’s Napoleon).

Although Bridgertons world is highly fictionalized, it nevertheless helps to have an understanding of the real 19th century provided by a show like War and peace. This not only helps to explain the political background and a wider European context, but It also highlights how the Netflix series plays with history. By watching war and peaceAudiences can gain a greater appreciation for how European high society might actually have behaved, made BridgertonS pastiche all the more effective.

War and Peace fixes a key Bridgerton complaint

The story has real weight

at its best, Bridgerton Handles emotional stories with sensitivity and realism that feels more or less true to life. However, over three seasons, a common criticism was that, For all its style, the series can seem dull at times. While the merits of this argument are up for debate, it is not a charge that can be leveled. War and peace.

Although the 2016 series falls short of Leo Tolstoy’s epoch-defining story, It is nevertheless a powerful and weighty exposition of universal human themes like love and heartbreak. While the story starts with the same innocent, light-hearted tone BridgertonIt soon descends into something much darker as the prospect of war darkens the horizon. As relatable characters are exposed to greater suffering and conflict, War and peace Only becomes more emotionally strong.

It is true that both war and peace And Bridgerton are aimed at different audiences and set out to do different things. However, their alternative approaches to the same theme, all told in a broadly similar historical context, create an undeniable link between the projects. While viewers shouldn’t expect the same experience, there’s no doubt that one helps improve the other.