The Period Piece Penchant

By: Summer Bruce, Staff Writer Edited by: Savannah Stewart

TV genre trends come and go; shows lose luster as their seasons progress. However, the historical romance series Bridgerton seems to have only grown in popularity. Following the release of season four, part one, social media has been in a frenzy. This isn’t the only period piece with a surge in popularity. Wuthering Heights (2026,) a film of lust and loss, made its debut Feb. 13, and has since broken the box office, surpassing $150 Million. So, what is it that draws people to the historical drama genre? Is it solely strategic marketing and casts of beloved actors? Sure, these factors play crucial roles in the genre’s appeal, but the fantasy is what keeps people watching. 

There is something whimsical, even magical, about period pieces. While often unrealistic and inaccurate to the time period, the emotions portrayed are pure. Who’s to say that someone can’t choose to enter a new world, pick from a closet full of gowns, attend a ball and meet the love of their life? These imaginative, fantastical elements truly draw people into a period piece. 

Many factors work together to maintain this fantasy. Historical charm, costuming, and the mystery of finding one’s true love all blend together in movies and shows alike, creating a whimsical assemblage that lures audiences and leaves them wanting more. It isn’t just the time in which these pieces take place that intrigues viewers, but the detachment from real life and the immersion into a magical world. Period pieces often veer away from adhering to historical accuracy, but viewers don’t seem to be too picky when it comes to these dramatized details. The attraction for most viewers is not perfection, but rather the curiosity of the different way of living. 

Costuming can be magnetic to viewers. Wuthering Heights’ lead, Catherine, played by Margot Robbie, graced the screen with a collection of the most exquisite, captivating gowns. Since the film’s release, many members of the public have praised costumer Jaqueline Durran’s glamorous flair and dedication to detail. Bridgerton’s first season garnered support for its fusion of old and new fabrics and design techniques. The empire waist silhouette is accurate to the show’s period, but the series’ costumers chose to swap a muted color palette for a much more vibrant one. Similarly, in Bridgerton’s spinoff series Queen Charlotte, the queen is presented on screen with intricate hairstyles, each one more elaborate and intentional than the last. Her hair is often pictured to be adorned with modern materials, like battery operated lights. These modern day aspects pair with the show’s historical charm to create a string of captivating images. 

Female characters in period pieces are reminiscent of Disney princesses that little girls once idolized. Much of the genre’s infatuation also comes from the desire to have a sweeping love story. “It kind of reminds me of when we were kids, when we would watch princess movies,” said Eunice Guntur, a Syracuse University freshman. “It’s the type of love story we all dreamed of when we were younger.” There is something to be said for incorporating childlike hope and wonder into the present day. 

This isn’t to say that true love doesn’t exist, but it’s difficult to ignore the unrealistic nature of these fantasies. Women of the Regency Era were not treated nearly as well as they are on screen. Women were dependent on their husbands, and, more often than not, married out of necessity. While some period pieces acknowledge societal pressures of the 19th century, movies and shows like Bridgerton or even Pride and Prejudice (2005) posit an overarching theme of love conquering all. Many examples in the historical drama genre end in true love, where the man has swept the one he loves off their feet. Even stories that don’t necessarily end in a lighthearted way strongly support the theme that nothing can stand in the way of longing for true love. 

The period piece brings a break from real life and the opportunity to step into a world of wonder and whimsy. It is a way to return to the imagination and enter a place where one will never be underdressed and where love always prevails.

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