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Netflix’s original series “Bridgerton” has significantly impacted the UK economy, contributing £275 million over the past five years, the streaming platform has announced. The drama set in the regency era and produced by Shondaland premiered the second half of its third season on Thursday and has reportedly supported 5,000 local businesses since its inception.
Shonda Rhimes, Shondaland’s chief executive will open trading at the London Stock Exchange on Friday to commemorate this achievement. The 54-year-old expressed her pride in the show’s influence, stating,
“The Bridgerton universe occupies a special space in culture, resonating with young and old alike, creating conversation, starting trends, and influencing everything from baby names to weddings.”
Bridgerton has supported thousands of businesses in the UK
Set between 1813 and 1827, the Bridgerton Series is a collection of eight novels, each featuring one of the eight children of the late Viscount Bridgerton: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Shonda Rhimes, who was awarded an honorary CBE by King Charles earlier this year, created the show for Netflix and is one of the platform’s biggest hits of all time on and off the screen.
Rhimes highlighted the substantial economic impact “Bridgerton” has had, noting its role in boosting the UK economy by a quarter of a billion pounds and supporting numerous jobs and businesses. She emphasized the broader implications, saying, “It is clear that the business of art and culture can make a huge economic contribution to local communities. I could not be prouder.”
The economic contribution was calculated in-house by Netflix and includes both direct and indirect spending. This encompasses expenditures with other companies and procurement for the production. However, the figure does not account for other benefits such as increased employee earnings, themed events, tourism, or merchandise sales.
Anna Mallett, Netflix’s vice president of EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) production, praised the show’s creator, saying, “The Bridgerton universe is another example of Shonda Rhimes’ genius as a storyteller and her global influence. We’re so excited about the part we’ve played in bringing these stories to the world.”
Mallett also emphasized the show’s cultural significance, adding, “As well as an economic boost, the shows have had a huge cultural impact. The UK is our home and this is one part of our huge investment in creating stories our members will love.”
“Bridgerton” continues to captivate audiences globally, contributing not only to entertainment but also to economic growth and cultural trends.
