Bridgerton: Sex, Power and Conversation
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Contributor Deanna Arudselvam delves into the dazzling and raunchy ton in Netflix’s Bridgerton & how conversations of sex shine through
The series Bridgerton represents a thrilling representation to audiences of how television can challenge the taboos and the uncomfortable nature of talking about sex. This reinforces how despite being a regency era historical fantasy, this systemic structure of power reinforces what we see today involving young people's need for transparency and openness when it comes to the conversation regarding sex (James and Waling, 2026)[1].
Bridgerton, currently streaming on Netflix, begins innocently enough as the creme of London society starts a fresh season of debutante balls and betrothals, all under the watchful eye of gossip writer Lady Whistledown (Singer, 2021)[2].
There are explosions of lust, slander, and scandal in the ton, all anticipating being brought into light in this London elite society where sex and class are markers of those who are categorised to hold positions of prestige, rank and status (Singer, 2021)[3].
Arguably, the steamiest scene is in season 1, when Hastings is seen having sex with his soon-to-be-estranged wife Daphne on a marble staircase. If you're thinking, ‘Why are people making such a big deal about this?’ It's because male-on-female sex as an act is rarely depicted on screen in such detail (Singer, 2021)[4].
Sex therapist and relationship coach Jacqueline Hellyer says there has been a notable shift towards ‘meaningful sex’ on screen, particularly thanks to other shows such as Outlander. “We’re starting to see sex portrayed differently on TV,” she says. "Sex as art, sex as love, sex as something meaningful. What we see in Bridgerton is a very deep connection between the lovers, highlighting the emotional connection of intimacy outweighs the physical” (Singer, 2021)[5].
However, parents feel uncomfortable and ill-equipped to provide answers to those questions. Young people today constantly want information about sex and relationships that reinforce emotions and pleasure. But they often learn about it from peers or online (James and Waling, 2026)[6].
This only further highlights how Australian parents and carers were uncertain about how to initiate or sustain meaningful conversations about sex and relationships. They were unsure what information was age-appropriate, especially where children may already find sexual content online. Parents and carers were more confident talking about body image, consent and safety, puberty and periods. But they were particularly uncomfortable talking about sexual pleasure (James and Waling, 2026)[7]
Parents frequently linked their discomfort and awkward nature around sex to their own upbringing, describing childhood homes as a place where sex could not be openly and transparently discussed due to their conservative nature. In Bridgerton, Francesca’s mother later admits she struggles to talk about sex even with her lover; the parallel is palpable (James and Waling, 2026)[8].
Nevertheless, pop culture can be a reflection of how any good show or film that depicts female pleasure in a positive light, encourages people to have thoughtful conversations about sexuality. Therefore, using a show such as Bridgerton to spark a discussion between partners or even parents and teenagers about sexual wellbeing or sexuality can be a useful tool, if handled sensitively (Singer, 2021)[9].
Women occupy the forefront
Notably, one of the Bridgerton offspring, Francesca, searches for information about her own pleasure and a female housekeeper cautions her brother Benedict about power and responsibility when she notices his attraction to Sophie, a housemaid (James and Waling, 2026)[10].
“We must marry according to class, but we do not always love that way,” Benedict’s friend Will Mondrich tells him. This reinforces the recurring trope between power dynamics of class and sex, as previously, his siblings, Anthony and Eloise, found themselves unsuccessful in their pursuit of relationships outside of their class. This is not a hopeful setting for Benedict (Zelmanova, 2026)[11].
However, desire is hard to ignore, and as their feelings grow, the threat of scandal looms large. With the family reputation at stake, reality leaves him with no other option at the end of part one than to pop the critical question: “Will you be my mistress” (Zelmanova, 2026)[12].
Mistresses are women who have arrangements with wealthy and upper-class men, offering their sexual and social services in exchange for financial benefits and comfort. Despite potential privileges, these women were excluded from polite society and could never hope to legitimise their relationship through marriage, leaving them at the mercy of their “protector” (Zelmanova, 2026)[13].
This outlines the contemporary contrasts between how sons and daughters are prepared for intimate relationships. Boys are positioned to manage power and consent with less room to explore ideas of love and romance (James and Waling, 2026)[14].
Women take on this role in Bridgerton, seen through the roles of Francesca’s mother, her sister-in-law Penelope, and the housemaid, reflect a broader pattern of gendered labour, as through sex education, women continually held the position as the default parent responsible for navigating these discussions on the topic of intimate relationships (James and Waling, 2026)[15].
This highlights the continual role and responsibility mothers have compared to fathers when it comes to discussing consent and safety with both daughters and sons, in comparison with fathers, especially fathers of sons (James and Waling, 2026)[16].
Therefore Bridgerton can be enacted as a symbol of how pop culture can influence discussion and advocacy when it comes to coming-of-age audiences reaching out to parents/carers or an important trusted adult in their life when tackling topics of sex and relationships (James and Waling, 2026)[17].
This invites an open, honest and heartfelt conversation about bodies, relationships and sexual intimacy, which young people desire and need. As a conversation is significant in leading to growth, support, and awareness in breaking open the discomfort that surrounds these issues and discussions.
by Deanna Arudselvam
References:
[1], [6], [7], [8], [10], [14], [16], [17] James, A., & Waling, A. (2026). What Bridgerton’s “pinnacle” tells us about sex talk today.
[2], [3], [4], [5], [9] Singer, M. (2021, January 9). Summer’s raunchiest show could change the way we talk about sex. The Sydney Morning Herald.
[11], [12], [13] Zelmanova, P. (2026). Bridgerton season four explores sexual and class power dynamics more than any season before.
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