Bridgerton is an American streaming television period drama series created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes. It is based on Julia Quinn's novels set in the competitive world of Regency era London's Ton during the season, when debutantes are presented at court. Important in the story is Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings and an eligible bachelor. Simon's mother died in childbirth and the boy was raised primarily by his aunt and the servants employed by his father at the country estate.