Plus size representation on screen is often scarce and never truly desirable. But Bridgerton shatters this mould, making its latest leading lady an icon of beauty and charm.
Who was the first female lead on screen to leave you in awe? For me, it was Rachel Weisz in The Mummy. Evelyn O’Connell was smart and could throw a good punch while rocking a gorgeous smokey eye. She also had the conventionally perfect body – at least that’s what I thought.
Unfortunately, I was the opposite of that. As a chubby kid, my representation on screen was limited to the comic relief, supporting characters, or the best friend of the hot, slender-bodied lead.
Before I knew it, I was desensitised to all that and it led to body dysmorphia. I was never happy with how I looked, and would casually joke about my body and put myself down as a form of humour in case someone else called me out before I did. Growing to love my body will forever be the longest chapter in my book.
Plus size representation on screen: Too little, too late?
Looking back over the past two decades, it’s only in the 2000s that we’ve seen a steady increase in plus-size actors landing lead roles. Melissa McCarthy is a prominent plus size lead, excelling as an actress, screenwriter, and producer, and moving beyond roles that focus on her physical appearance. Yet, it took her two decades to achieve mainstream success with “Bridesmaids”.
Male actors like Jonah Hill, Zach Galifianakis, and Seth Rogen also found fame in the 2000s but were often typecast into goofy roles. Meanwhile, Rebel Wilson and Mindy Kaling (pre-ozempic 2023) carved out niches as plus size comedy queens. However, even though Chrissy Metz shone in the popular drama “This Is Us”, her character’s struggles with obesity were a central theme.
Sure, the industry is slowly changing. But is it enough?
Representation is important, but being depicted as desirable takes it to another level
All the actors I’ve mentioned are breaking the mould, but one glaring issue remains: the lack of plus size romantic leads on screen.
That’s why Nicola Coughlan’s role as Penelope Featherington in the Netflix hit series “Bridgerton” made my reflection of that chubby girl in the mirror squeal with joy. Spoiler alert – she is the Lady Whilstledown, the anonymous writer behind the scandalous social pamphlet that dishes all the juicy gossip of “the ton.” Lady Whistledown not only narrates the series but also plays a crucial role in driving the plot.
In season 3, Bridgerton shifts its focus to childhood besties Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington, affectionately dubbed “Polin” by fans. As Colin returns from his travels, he begins to see Penelope in a new light. Meanwhile, Penelope grapples with her feelings for Colin while navigating her identities as Penelope Featherington and Lady Whistledown.
Do I think it’s a good season? No. There were inconsistencies in the screenplay and the lack of chemistry between the lead pair was jarring. But, none of this changes the fact that Penelope carried the show.
Penelope Featherington, you are the diamond of the season
Just like every lead couple in each season, Polin gets what’s colloquially dubbed by the internet as the Shonda Rhimes glow-up, but this one is extra special as Penelope’s makeover is part of the plot.
“I do not wish to see a citrus colour, ever again”, exclaims a frustrated Penelope at one point. In the first episode, she quickly realises that she must find a husband to escape her overbearing mother and mean sisters, and have the privacy to continue her gossip columnist career as Lady Whistledown.
She gets a classy makeover montage and unveils her hot girl summer look at the season’s first ball. Her loud yellow dress is swapped out for a sparkly emerald green number, her tight red ringlets are transformed into old Hollywood glam waves.
All eyes are on her. She’s an icon. She’s a legend, and she IS the moment.
A glow-up that goes beyond physical appearance
Her transformation from wallflower to leading lady resonated with me in more ways than one. The show highlights a more empowering motive behind her glow-up. Tired of living under her toxic mother, Penelope wants to become a sought-after maiden in the marriage market, while pursuing her own ambitions. And never once is her weight mentioned or highlighted in any scene.
Her makeover trope was realistic – though all eyes are on her, she doesn’t immediately turn into the most charismatic person at the ball. Things quickly take an awkward turn when she struggles to strike up a good conversation with suitors and she eventually goes home in tears. In the end, her confidence evolves throughout the season and not just because of the glow-up.
She learns to grow into her own while loving her main man, she earns back the trust of her best friend Eloise Bridgerton, and she comes to terms with the fact that she loves being Lady Whistledown.
We also witness the male gaze directed towards her. As Colin falls for Pen, there’s a scene where he gets flustered when she indulges in a cupcake. This portrayal is particularly refreshing to me because it challenges the stereotype that plus size equates to obesity and constant scrutiny of one’s diet. Here, the male lead is captivated by the allure of a curvy woman enjoying a simple treat.
Finally, that steamy mirror scene is all hearts. During an intimate scene, Colin undresses Penelope in front of the mirror and shares loving words that affirm her beauty. What struck me most was Penelope’s reaction. Rather than looking away, she embraces her body with newfound confidence, no longer relying on her new look to feel beautiful. It’s a transformative moment for Penelope – and for me, someone who sometimes reacts with disgust when looking at my reflection.
Why is there always a but?
Despite an iconic portrayal of plus size representation on screen, Coughlan didn’t escape the body-shaming in real life. In an article for The Spectator, the author took a jab at her physical appearance.
“But reader, she is not hot…”
“Coughlan is an actress of great value, and might be adored, but she is simply not plausible as the friend who would catch the handsome rich aristocrat Colin Bridgerton’s eye in that way.”
“She’s not shapely – which can work as sexy even in Hollywood; she’s fat.”
Coughlan has not responded to the article, but luckily she’s a true clapback queen.
When she received a back-handed compliment about “being very brave for this role” she replied, “You know, it is hard, because I think women with my body type – women with perfect breasts – we don’t get to see ourselves on screen enough.”
“I’m very proud as a member of the perfect breasts community,” she added. “I hope you enjoy seeing them.”
She also revealed to Variety that she insisted on going “very naked” for a scene as a direct response to online trolls criticising her weight. “… I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice. It just felt like the biggest ‘f*ck you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body; it was amazingly empowering,” Coughlan shares.
Why is representation so important in this day and age?
The abysmal body-shaming comments only reinforce the need for more plus size representation on screen. Everyone, especially women, feels the pressure to look a certain way or risk feeling worthless. You can thank social media for bombarding us with unrealistic expectations.
But having a plus size leading lady in a top streaming show like Bridgerton opens our eyes to find beauty in all shapes and sizes. Seeing Penelope smash it on screen taught me that self-worth doesn’t depend on looks. And Nicola’s badass clapbacks are a big fat middle finger to all the naysayers.
It’s a work in progress but here’s hoping we have more diversity on screen to break stereotypes and shape positive perceptions. Following Penelope’s journey taught me to love my body more and be kinder to myself. Bridgerton didn’t just create a great plus-size character; it gave us a powerful reminder that we are fabulous in our own skin.
My relationship with my body is still a work in progress, but today, I love myself a little more because of Penelope Bridgerton.
