The Buccaneers has taken over the global streaming charts following the release of its second season. Per FlixPatrol, the Apple TV+ period drama has surged into the Top 10 in multiple countries and has been drawing in new viewers each week. The Buccaneers Season 2 finale is now scheduled for August 6, and the buzz around the series is at an all-time high. It appears that the show’s mix of romance, sisterhood, and a historical setting is connecting well with audiences, especially those who enjoy shows like Bridgerton, The Gilded Age, and Downton Abbey.
The Buccaneers is adapted from Edith Wharton’s unfinished 1937 novel, and follows five young American women from wealthy families who travel to England in hopes of landing titled husbands and climbing the British social ladder. What they don’t expect is how exclusive and judgmental that ladder can be. The series explores how these women navigate the clash between their bold American upbringing and the rigid customs of British upper-class life. And at the center of the story is Nan St. George, played by Kristine Froseth, who has no interest in playing by anyone’s rules, especially not those set by old British men in powdered wigs.
The Buccaneers holds a solid 71% critics’ score and even a higher 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The show’s second installment has especially helped it reach new heights as it builds on the themes from Season 1 but takes things in a much darker and more serious direction. For example, Season 2, Episode 7, “All Rise,” basically turns the period drama into a full-on legal thriller.
How Does ‘The Buccaneers’ Set Itself Apart From ‘Bridgerton’?
The Buccaneers shares a few surface-level similarities with Bridgerton. Both shows, for instance, take place in 19th-century England and feature glamorous parties, arranged marriages, and the social pressure placed on young women. But that’s about where the similarities end. While Bridgerton leans heavily into romantic fantasy, The Buccaneers puts more focus on female friendships and the sacrifices women have made to break free from shame and judgment. It also feels more modern thanks to its American characters, who bring a rebellious energy that connects more with today’s ideas about independence and self-worth. While it adds something new to the genre, it still retains that familiar period drama DNA, making it the perfect watch for those counting down to Bridgerton Season 4.
The Buccaneers is available to stream on Apple TV+. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates!
The Buccaneers
- Release Date
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November 8, 2023
- Network
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Apple TV+
- Showrunner
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Katherine Jakeways
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Kristine Froseth
Nan St. George
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Alisha Boe
Conchita Closson
Sources: FlixPatrol, Rotten Tomatoes, Ready Steady Cut
