According to a historical dance instructor based in the UK, the popularity of Regency-era dancing has seen a notable increase thanks to shows like Bridgerton and various Jane Austen adaptations. Lottie Adcock, who runs a school called Dance the Past, shared that there has been a rise in students wanting to learn the elegant dances seen in these period dramas, with a noticeable decrease in the average age of participants.
Adcock mentioned that the portrayal of characters like Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice in both the 1995 BBC TV series and the 2005 movie has sparked an interest in Regency dancing among viewers. Additionally, she credits the popular Netflix show Bridgerton for further boosting interest in this historical dance style.
Bridgerton, created by Shonda Rhimes and based on the books by Julia Quinn, premiered on Christmas Day in 2020 and quickly gained a massive following on Netflix. The second season debuted in March 2022, with the third season scheduled for release in May.
The Regency era in British history, which lasted from 1795 to 1837, was a period marked by significant political events such as King George III being deemed unfit to rule, leading to the passing of the Regency Act of 1811. George, Prince of Wales, was then appointed as Prince Regent to fulfill royal duties during this time.