Attention Bridget Jones's Diary Fans: Don't Miss Out on Must-See Drama Now Streaming on Hulu
Missed that bunny costume?
Inspired by the novel Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones 's Diary is one of the best rom-coms of the early 2000s — the genre was going through a serious crisis at the time and desperately needed a dynamic and funny story about a strong woman looking for love.
20 years have passed, and Bridget Jones's Diary has become an inspiration in its own right. Candice Carty-Williams' novel Queenie was published in 2019 and was promoted as the story of a Black Bridget Jones. The comparison is no accident: Queenie, like the main character of Helen Fielding's book, lives in London, works in journalism, and suffers a breakdown in her personal life.
The show's creators could not leave viewers without an Easter egg: in one episode, Queenie, following in Bridget's footsteps, chooses an inappropriate outfit for a party — a bunny costume. But Queenie is far from a light read like Fielding's work.
The Hulu series is hardly a comedy either: while making some changes to the plot, the writers follow the source material and bring to the screen a dramedy that touches on many issues.
What Is Queenie About?
The life of 25-year-old Queenie, a British woman of Jamaican descent, is falling apart. After another fight, her boyfriend Tom suggests they take a break from their relationship. Queenie tries to distract herself from the loneliness: drinking and one-night stands with strangers from dating apps come to the rescue.
A few months later, there is still no word from Tom, and the young woman's mental state is deteriorating. Queenie realizes she needs professional help.
Queenie Explores Psychological Trauma and Its Consequences
Queenie is a series that is not so much about going through a breakup as it is about psychological trauma. A fight with a loved one brings back equally painful moments: Tom slams a door in Queenie's face, and the girl sees the back of her mother, who inflicted many emotional wounds on her daughter.
Episode after episode, viewers learn through flashbacks the details of Queenie's unhappy childhood, after which it would be difficult for anyone to trust the world. Through a series of rash decisions, Queenie does what you wish any controversial character would do — she goes to therapy.
The Hulu project is a show that will probably remain in the shadow of the big releases. But it is important for one simple reason — this series tells viewers that everything will be okay in the end. The story of a broken and tired Queenie is further proof of that.