Bela Bajaria Chief Content Officer at Netflix | Official website
Netflix and Shondaland have announced that the Bridgerton universe has contributed over a quarter of a billion pounds to the UK economy, benefiting nearly 5,000 local businesses over the past five years. To commemorate this milestone and the release of Part 2 of Bridgerton’s third season, Shondaland CEO Shonda Rhimes opened trading at the London Stock Exchange today.
Shonda Rhimes stated, “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. The shows have also had a seismic impact on the UK economy, boosting it by a quarter of a billion pounds over the last five years and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses. It is clear that the business of art and culture can make a huge economic contribution to local communities. I could not be prouder.”
Anna Mallett, VP Production EMEA at Netflix, commented: “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. 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.”
The series' Regency-era aesthetic has significantly influenced culture both in the UK and globally. Visit West reported increased visits to regions where much of the show is set, contributing over £5 million to Bath, Bristol, and surrounding areas' local economies.
Kiddies Kingdom noted surges in new baby names inspired by characters from the show between 2020-2021: Daphne by 51%, Eloise by 27%, and Colin by 26%. Vitamin String Quartet experienced a 350% increase in fortnightly streams following Bridgerton’s Season 1 premiere in 2020.
Julia Hoggett, CEO of London Stock Exchange plc said: “We are delighted to welcome Shonda Rhimes and Netflix to open trading at the London Stock Exchange. The Exchange was given its formal structure at the start of the 1800s – the same period in which Bridgerton is set —and now as then we continue to help companies raise capital they need to grow and thrive. Our film and creative industries bring enormous benefits to the UK economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and building communities, and we are thrilled to celebrate their significant economic and cultural impact.”
Theresa Wise, CEO of Royal Television Society added: “The Bridgerton Universe is a very exciting example of best-in-class storytelling showcasing a huge range of British talent behind and in front of the screen. It is remarkable how this has resonated with audiences worldwide. But it has done more than that. It has provided jobs in local areas where it is shot and delivered over quarter of a billion pounds to the UK economy.”
Part 2 of Season 3 of Bridgerton is available for streaming on Netflix along with all previous seasons.
