First look at Shonda Rhimes’ new series ‘Bridgerton’

TV showrunner Shonda Rhimes is steaming up the era of Jane Austen with a new Netflix miniseries adaptation called “Bridgerton.”

The TV show is based on a series of historical romance novels by author Julia Quinn about the eight, alphabetically-named Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth.

“Inspired by the bestselling novels, this series follows the eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family as they attempt to find love,” Netflix’s description reads.

Here’s an image of the family in question, as posted to the official @bridgerton Twitter account.

“They bicker, they joke, but they love each other fiercely,” Quinn’s website says. They also find out that the pursuit of love, marriage and romance is never without its twists and turns.

Beloved actress and singer Julie Andrews will voice the unseen scandal sheet authoress, Lady Whistledown. “Bridgerton” siblings, suitors, and assorted side characters will be played by a multiracial cast of mostly British actors including Phoebe Dynevor, Jonathan Bailey, Polly Walker and Regé-Jean Page.

The Twitter post below from the official Bridgerton account shows off the characters and settings you’ll see in the show.

While some online Julia Quinn fans questioned the inaccuracy of the show’s costume choices, most seemed excited for the adaptation of the novels.

“Lush. That describes these photos, costumes and sets,” commented Betty Feltham Seaman on Quinn’s official Facebook page.

Here are some of the outfits in question, as shown by the @bridgerton Twitter account:

“In what has been a no good, very bad, and downright painful year for so many, THANK YOU for the gift of your brilliant writing and for giving us this gorgeous family to love and get lost in,” said fellow Facebook fan Denisse De Leon.

“Bridgerton,” although set in the early 1800s, sounds like it’s going to be a bit spicier than a typical Regency-era England television adaptation if it’s TV-MA rating for “sex, nudity, language, smoking” is any sign.

Considering that Rhimes and her Shondaland production studio — which also created “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Scandal” and “Station 19” among other TV shows — is behind the new show, the extra heat makes sense.

Rhimes explained her passion for the project on Twitter. “I’ve been a fan of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series since I can remember,” she said.

Netflix will release “Bridgerton” on Netflix Dec. 25, perfectly timed for a holiday binge watch of all eight episodes.

Are you all aflutter to see this Shonda Rhimes adaptation?