Bridgerton has sparked an increase in demand for afternoon tea sets and formal tablecloths as fans try to recreate the Regency dining experience.
The monumental success of the Netflix show fueled an increase in sales of patterned tablecloths, cake stands and champagne, The Telegraph reported.
The show became Netflix’s biggest hit this week, with 82 million views in the first month it was available, setting the record for the most-watched debut on the streaming service.
Set in nineteenth-century London, the series was adapted from a series of novels by Julia Quinn and follows the life of a family in upper-class society.
Netflix’s monumental success has fueled sales of patterned tablecloths, cake stands and champagne, The Telegraph reported.
Since the show’s inception, sales of patterned tablecloths have increased by 553%, according to the retailer. Meanwhile, sales of plain tablecloths increased by 228% and cake stands increased by 16%.
Even champagne registered an increase, as sales increased by 52%.
Nicola Hattersley, a meal buyer at John Lewis, said: “Offering the perfect escapism during closing, we see the nation embracing afternoon tea while taking a little extra time to prepare dinner with formal tablecloths.
“We have also seen a strong demand for four-poster beds, as customers have bought more classy furniture since the series aired.”
The eight-part series, which was released on Christmas Day, is now the most-watched streaming giant’s show in 83 countries, including the United Kingdom, France and the United States.
Since the show’s inception, sales of patterned tablecloths have increased by 553%, according to the retailer. Meanwhile, sales of simple tablecloths increased by 228% and cake stands increased by 16%
Although recently launched, Bridgerton easily overtook the previous top holder, The Witcher, who received 76 million streams in its first 28 days.
Netflix’s head of drama, Jinny Howe, announced the impressive streaming numbers during an interview with Variety, adding that Bridgerton has entered the top 10 in every country except Japan.
Bridgerton was expected to reach 63 million households in its initial four-week projections, which means it destroyed the target with an impressive 19m.
Netflix’s other hits, including The Queen’s Gambit and Lupine, also received very healthy numbers following their launches, with 62m and 70m, respectively, Deadline reports.
Although recently released, Bridgerton easily overtook the previous headline, The Witcher, which received 76 million streams in the first 28 days.
Reflecting on the moment of Bridgerton’s release amid the pandemic, drama director Jinny said: “I think I see a pivot in terms of people who want things to feel a little more aspirational and evasive and to feel good.
“It is difficult to know where we will be in a few years, but I think this will be the trend for a while. I imagine he will continue to walk this path of blue sky, which feels good.
It comes after the drama Regency was confirmed for the second series, this time after the search for love by Anthony Bridgerton.
Bridgerton follows the self-titled family and how their lives are turned upside down by the illusory and anonymous revelations of Lady Whistledown in London.
Netflix confirmed the news in a “naughty” statement written as a mysterious Lady Whistledown lead.
The first series focused on Daphne’s search for love, while introducing her brothers to the audience (pictured LR: Florence Hunt as Hyacinth, Luke Newton as Colin, Ruth Gemmell as their mother Violet, Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne, Claudia Jessie as Eloise, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony, Will Tilson as Gregory and Luke Thompson as Benedict)
They also shared the news on Twitter and YouTube with a montage of the best videos from series one.
The statement read: “The tone is full of the latest gossip, so it’s my honor to tell you: Bridgerton will be officially back for a second season. I hope you kept a bottle of ratafia for this pleasant occasion.
“This author has been reliably informed that Lord Anthony Bridgerton intends to dominate the social season. I will have my pen to report on any and all of his romantic activities.
“However, gentle reader, before you set up the comments section with more sordid requests for details, you know that I am not inclined to report the details at this time. Patience, after all, is a virtue. Really, Lady Whistledown.
It is believed that the second season will begin production in the spring, Netflix has not yet confirmed which characters will officially return for series 2 or other details.
The first series focused heavily on the love story of Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, played by Regé-Jean Page, and Daphne Bridgerton, played by Phoebe Dynevor.
The two characters start as friends as a ploy to fool the London elite and Lady Whistledown.
However, after falling in love, Simon is forced to confront his inner demons after vowing never to marry or to be a heir to his duchy, despite his late abusive father.
The first series briefly touched on other stories, which included Anthony’s own turbulent story with his girlfriend, the opera singer Siena Rosso, played by Sabrina Bartlett. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.