The Representation of the Indian Sharma Family in Netflix’s Bridgerton

Abstract

This thesis examines the historical accuracy of the Netflix series Bridgerton, specifically the portrayal of the Indian Sharma family. The series provides an insight into the lives of the Indian family, how they are dealing with the new English upper-class society, and the challenges they face in fitting in. However, it is essential to consider whether people of Indian origin could have lived in England in the 19th century. The study also explores the possibility of interracial marriages between Indians and English people at the time, such as those between Mary Sheffield and Kate Sharma’s father in the series or between Kate and Anthony Bridgerton. The first part of the paper provides the historical background and the genre of the series, and towards the end of the thesis, I concentrate on the character of Edwina, “the diamond of the season.”