Netflix's Smash Hit Period Drama Is So Good, It's Already Been Renewed For 2 More Seasons

Image courtesy of MovieStillsDb Published Sep 17, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT Cathal Gunning has been writing about movies, television, culture, and politics online and in print since 2017. He worked as a Senior Editor in Adbusters Media Foundation from 2018-2019 and wrote for WhatCulture in early 2020. He has been a Senior Features Writer for ScreenRant since 2020. Not only has Netflix’s biggest period drama managed to be at the vanguard of not one, but two separate streaming trends, but the breakout hit has also already been renewed for not one, but two more seasons. It has traditionally been tricky for romance novels to make the jump to the small screen. Movie adaptations of romance novels are comparatively common, since the self-contained nature of a typical romance storyline fits perfectly in the tight restraints of a three-act structure. In contrast, romance TV shows have a tougher job. If the central couple get together in the pilot episode, all the exquisite tension of a “will they, won’t they” romance is lost, but if their eventual union is dragged out until the series finale, a lot of viewers may well lose interest. This may well be one of the reasons that the romantasy publishing sensation A Court of Thorns and Roses has proven so thorny when it comes to its long-delayed streaming series adaptation. However, if there is one person who could be trusted to tackle this issue, it is Shonda Rhimes. A legendary producer, Rhimes turned the slow-burn love story into a fine art with the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, and her Netflix alternate history series Bridgerton proved that she could bring the same spark to a romance novel adaptation on streaming. Narrated by Julie Andrews, Bridgerton focuses on the titular Regency-era noble family and their tumultuous love lives. Bridgerton Seasons 5 and 6 Prove The Period Drama Is One Of Netflix’s Biggest Hits MovieStillsDB Based on the book series by author Julia Quinn, Bridgerton quickly found a way around the hard part of adapting romance novels into long-form shows. The series jumps from one member of its massive, sprawling cast to the next, giving stars like Simone Ashley, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Bailey, Yerin Ha, Regé-Jean Page, and Charithra Chandran a chance to shine in turn. Thus, like a Regency romance version of Taylor Sheridan’s hit Neo-Western Yellowstone, this streaming sensation has an entire family as its protagonists instead of just one couple. This vital distinction means that, whenever a specific love story overcomes its tribulations and reaches its inevitable happily-ever-after ending, the show can switch its focus to new main characters while still keeping its original heroes around in supporting roles. This unique approach has allowed Bridgerton to not only succeed, but exceed all reasonable expectations in its enduring popularity. The show has already been renewed for a fifth and sixth season, as well as spawning the 2023 spinoff Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Quinn’s source novel series lasted eight novels between 2000 and 2006, but the show’s ambitious plotting has already expanded beyond this original remit. Bridgerton’s Success Helped Make Two Separate Streaming Trends Possible Much like the success of Game of Thrones opened the floodgates for a slew of big-budget, R-rated fantasy shows, the popularity of Bridgerton gave the green light to a string of period dramas in the years that followed its season 1 success. However, Bridgerton’s influence on the streaming landscape didn’t end there, as the show also helped pave the way for contemporary romance novel adaptations that borrowed its structure. Apple TV’s The Buccaneers, loosely based on the unfinished Edith Wharton novel of the same name, and Prime Video’s alternate history romance My Lady Jane both borrowed from the historical setting and steamy romance of Bridgerton while telling original, acclaimed stories of their own. Meanwhile, Prime Video’s Off Campus, an adaptation of the novel series of the same name by author Elle Kennedy, borrowed Bridgerton’s approach to storytelling as the show shifted its focus to a second couple’s love story shortly before wrapping up its original plot. 2025’s Crave series Heated Rivalry and Prime Video’s Carley Fortune series Every Year After continued this trend, while shows like The Empress and The Gilded Age prove just how popular historical romance has become. Thus, it should come as no surprise that Netflix’s Bridgerton will release at least two more seasons before wrapping up its story. Release Date 2020 - 2026-00-00 Network Netflix Directors Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson Cast Luke Thompson Lady Violet Bridgerton Ruth Gemmell Benedict Bridgerton Writers Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin Creator(s) Chris Van Dusen