We Need More Kate Sharmas
Bridgerton Season Two is a love story and a love letter to South-Asian audiences.
(This review contains spoilers.)
Returning for its second season, it seems that the love for Bridgerton has not died out. Instead, this bodice-ripper Regency drama is experiencing a renaissance of interest — with adored actors Jonathan Bailey (as Anthony Bridgerton) and Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma) leading the flames with their fiery chemistry on-screen.
Behind them is a fantastic supporting cast, such as Charithra Chandran, who plays Kate’s younger sister and the ‘diamond of the season’: an undoubtedly immense title for the young ladies of this show’s London. We see the return of beloved characters like Benedict and Eloise Bridgerton, as they explore their individualistic streaks in a society full of rules and regulations. And of course, Bridgerton wouldn’t be the show that is without the phenomenal work behind the scenes: from the sensual cinematography to the classical meets pop sound score, to the exquisite costumes which have only improved since the last season (thanks to the show’s budget increase).
Most significantly though, is the show-runner's dedication to portraying Indian culture and South-Asian representation on-screen. Going into Season Two, executive producer Shonda Rhimes expressed the necessity for “Finding South Asian women with darker skin and making sure that they were represented on screen authentically and truthfully feels like something that we haven’t seen nearly enough of.” (Film News, 2022) Through interweaving Indian culture into the Western mainstream, Bridgerton is redefining the period-romance genre — one that has always been overwhelmingly white. And through portraying the Sharma sisters as the romantic leads of this season, Bridgerton is emphasising how South-Asian women can be beautiful, and so much more.
But don’t take my word on this; take Juhi Moghul’s. Having lived in the UK her whole life as a Pakistani-Kenyan woman, Juhi had this to say about Season Two:
Q: What were your thoughts on the Kate and Anthony storyline this season?
I adored this season and enjoyed Anthony taking the lead. I love a classic enemies-to-lovers story and the writers did a brilliant job of building that tension between the two.
Especially since the first season was quite explicit and raunchy, (which served its purpose for Daphne’s story of sexual awakening) it was refreshing to see how Kate and Anthony exposed their vulnerability verbally and mentally before physically. Of course, there are plenty of resemblances here to Pride and Prejudice, but I’m not sure if you can have a period drama romance that doesn’t remind you of Austen!
Q: Do you think the Sharma sisters are a positive addition to the show?
Yes, of course! Having these three women that have built their family unit based on love for each other rather than labels like ‘step-sister’ and ‘step-daughter’ is a refreshing reminder of their unique bond. In a society that is bound to ostracise them for their financial standing, reliance upon Lady Danbury, and Mary’s widow status, it’s empowering to have their family enter the frame in such strength and beauty — rather than hiding in shame.
Q: Were there any cultural details or references you appreciated seeing in the show?
There were many that speak to me and the Brown community. And I promise you I squealed every time, I saw a reference on-screen!
To say just a couple, the first I noticed was the jewellery. From Kate’s sparkly gold earrings to Edwina’s pearl necklaces, it was gorgeous, to say the least. Gold is a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and beauty in Indian and Pakistani households. Many women in their families pass down their wedding jewellery and other pieces to their daughters and so on. So, to see something like Kate’s bangles were a lovely reminder of Brown female unity.
Another important moment was hearing a Bollywood song turned into a violin instrumental mix. It’s called ‘Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham’, from the movie with this title; it means ‘In Happiness and in Sadness’. This film is essentially about a love story between people of different religions and cultures. It was a staple watch in my family and extremely popular for this generation’s log of childhood Bollywood films. So to hear this song gave me a warm feeling and a sense of home!
I only wish we had heard more [South Asian music]!
Q: What does representation mean to you?
Representation means recognition. It means being seen and heard and understood for all the beauty and turmoils of our life. To have, for my whole life, little to no on-screen representation of Brown women is isolating and othering [despite being British and having lived in the UK my whole life]. It taught me that Brown stories are excluded from the White gaze.
For the first time in a period drama, we have dark-skinned South Asian women who code-switch and dress in Asian attire, starring alongside other powerful Black women and dominating the TV frame. What Bridgerton did so well was to have this love story based not on Anthony’s attraction to Kate Sharma’s Brownness, but on her character alone.
There is no Oriental gaze [Edward Said], and this story isn’t about the trivial life of Brown oppression; instead, it’s about the trivial pursuit of love.
I may not be South Indian or dark-skinned myself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate the win that it is for these women. I will not ignore or dismiss the series just because they do not reflect my exact history. None of that matters here because we all have a complex and mixed background — a win for one section of our community is a win for us all! I love, love, LOVE seeing these Brown and Black women finally having a place in pop culture history — making their mark and smashing it with Kate’s brilliant sense of humour and wits.
The Viscount really does have excellent taste!
Bridgerton Season Two may not be the most accurate depiction of Regency England, nor of Indian culture (a delightful, non-sensical ‘pan-Indian cluster’, as Ankita Rao puts it); but that’s what makes it work. It’s a love letter to South Asian audiences because Bridgerton represents a change in how people of colour’s stories get told in popular culture. Instead of tales of race-rooted oppression or age-old stereotypes, the only thing keeping the leads apart is their burning chemistry and devotion to duty.
We need more South-Asian leading ladies; let Kate Sharma lead the way.
