As published in CLAUDIA

I often start my columns by justifying myself because I like classic, historical, and dense content. Period series, biographical series, dramas, or romances. As an avid reader, I have some favorite authors, especially two who immortalized the period known as the “Gilded Age”: Henry James and Edith Wharton, as well as, of course, my goddess, Jane Austen (who is from another period). I am open to revisions, I was not one of those who reacted negatively to the “update” of Persuasion, in 2022, when Dakota Johnson transformed the shy and obedient Anne Elliot into another Elizabeth Bennett, from Pride and Prejudice. Netflix’s “new” Persuasion was heavily influenced by another work on the platform, the mega-success Bridgerton, with a modern soundtrack, an inclusive cast, and a fun anachronism.

Anachronism, in fact, seems to be the alternative in vogue to hook the millennial generation into understanding/enjoying classics. Just remember that the term is to define the narrative that inserts ideas or feelings that are not in accordance with the time of the story. It works perfectly in Bridgerton, or The Great, to name another favorite, it was just okay in Persuasion, but the trailer for the next Apple TV Plus series, The Buccaneers, confirms the total “bridgertization” of period series. It will be fun, of course, but somehow I regret what is lost with this trend. Am I being too grumpy?

Edith Wharton, the first female writer to win the Pulitzer for Literature with the absolutely perfect The Age of Innocence (Martin Scorcese‘s film turns 30 in 2023, deserves a separate column), did not finish the book The Buccaneers, which was released posthumously with the observations found in your notes. Therefore, it is not the best of her repertoire, which includes the harrowing and sad The House of Mirth and the tragic Ethan Fromme, all adapted for the cinema. Edith, from one of the richest and most traditional families in the United States, wrote fascinating stories from that period because she stuck to what she lived. Unlike Jane Austen, but similar to her friend Henry James, her love stories don’t always (or almost never) end well. She delicately exposes the sexist and oppressive universe for women of that period, hence my anticipated cynicism at having an anachronistic aspect in the story.

The term “buccaneers” refers to pirates, but pirates “approved” by the English who attacked the Spanish colonies and navigations between America and the Caribbean, that is, the English buying “stolen products”. Centuries later, the term was adapted to the custom of the “gilded cage era” in which rich, single young women were sent to “London sojourns” in search of husbands and titles, having to face the rigidity of British society, as well as their prejudices.

In the new version of Apple TV Plus, the cast includes names such as Christina Hendricks, from Mad Man, who plays Mrs. Saint George and leads a production with young stars, such as Alisha Boe, from 13 Reasons Why, and Kristine Frøseth, among others. Behind the scenes, there is an all-female creative team led by showrunner Katherine Jakeways and the series was directed by Susanna White. In other words, more to celebrate than to complain!

The plot of The Buccaneers is set in the 1870s and revolves around five rich and ambitious American girls in search of noble but impoverished English husbands who are looking for fortune to keep their titles. Basically what we saw as Flora’s reality in Downton Abbey and Gladys’ future in The Gilded Age. Among the girls, Nan Saint George is the main one, and marries the Duke of Trevenick, despite loving Guy Thwaite. Something very similar to the true story of Consuelo Vanderbilt.

The book was published in 1938, with only 29 chapters, which were ready before the author’s death. However, in 1993, writer Marion Mainwaring “completed” the novel with six new chapters, following Edith Wharton‘s detailed outline when she planned the story. Obviously, there is polarity regarding the outcome. For experts, The Buccaneers was designed to be the definitive work of the American writer, but it does not occupy that place – held by The Age of Innocence – because there is more romance and fewer observations like she made in her previous books. I wonder what they will say about the series version.

I would like to see these love stories retold with young, inclusive casts, but without having the obligation to “modernize” them and make them equal. Bridgerton has its value, see if The Buccaneers exceeds expectations. The premiere is scheduled for November 8th. I’m anxious!

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