Bridgerton Explores Taboo of Women and Sexual Knowledge

A new season of Netflix’s Regency drama Bridgerton returns with romance, scandal and social tension, but series four also tackles a subject rarely discussed in period dramas: women’s lack of sexual knowledge in the Regency era.

While the show is known for its passionate storylines among members of high society, the latest season highlights the sharp contrast between the freedoms granted to men and the restrictions placed on women. During the period, unmarried upper-class women were kept deliberately ignorant about sex, while men were encouraged to gain experience, often while travelling abroad.

This imbalance affects newlyweds Francesca Bridgerton and John Stirling, the Earl and Countess of Kilmartin. After returning to London from the Scottish Highlands, the couple struggle to connect intimately, prompting Francesca to question whether something is missing in her marriage.

Seeking answers, she turns to the women around her, including her mother Lady Bridgerton and sister-in-law Penelope. Actress Hannah Dodd, who plays Francesca, says the storyline highlights the unfairness of women being denied basic knowledge about their own bodies.

Dodd explains that Francesca’s confusion reflects a wider historical reality. “Unless women could talk openly, how were they meant to understand what was meant to happen, physically or emotionally?” she says.

The series also portrays the couple’s attempts to discuss the issue together, showing the challenges faced by two introverted people learning how to communicate honestly within marriage.

Francesca’s character has also resonated with some viewers who see her as neurodivergent. While author Julia Quinn has said this was not intentional, she has welcomed the interpretation. Dodd agrees, noting that the writers discussed Francesca’s sense of being different and her discomfort with social conventions. She says it is important for audiences to see themselves represented on screen.

Elsewhere, the season’s main romantic plot centres on Benedict Bridgerton, whose love story follows a Cinderella-style narrative involving a mysterious woman named Sophie. The storyline introduces viewers to the servants’ world for the first time, exploring class divisions and life below stairs.

The series also welcomes new cast members, including Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun, a formidable stepmother figure. Leung, who previously starred in the Harry Potter films, says joining Bridgerton felt less overwhelming due to her age and experience.

Long-standing characters Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury also face tension this season. Their friendship is tested when the Queen refuses to allow Lady Danbury to take a holiday, forcing both women to confront boundaries between duty and personal freedom.

Actress Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury, says the storyline reflects a broader issue faced by many women: the tendency to prioritise others over themselves. “Women do a lot of facilitating,” she says, adding that learning to recognise personal needs is an important step.

With new characters, deeper themes and continued glamour, the latest season of Bridgerton aims to balance romance with a more thoughtful exploration of power, knowledge and identity.