What to Watch When the Bridgerton Wait Gets Too Long
Missing the spectacle of corsets, grand balls, and witty social intrigue? While Bridgerton’s return to Netflix is still a ways off, there’s no shortage of period dramas to fill the gap. Shows like Welcome to Sanditon and The Gilded Age have played their part. But Netflix also added its own standout in 2025 with Spain’s De parfaites demoiselles.
A New Historical Romance in Madrid
De parfaites demoiselles debuted on Netflix on March 28, 2025, and quietly landed as a hidden treasure. Swapping Regency London for Madrid in 1880, the story follows 25-year-old Elena Bianda, who has become the go-to companion for Spain’s high society. Her unique success? She’s guided more than twenty young women to marriage—thanks to her mix of unshakeable morals (putting parents at ease) and a knack for listening to the real dreams of those she advises.
Everything seems perfectly balanced until Elena takes on her biggest assignment yet: she must help not one, but three spirited Mencía sisters each navigate the complex—and competitive—marriage market.
Smart, Colorful, and Unexpectedly Modern
Created by Gema R. Neira and María José Rustarazo, De parfaites demoiselles comes from Bambú Producciones, the acclaimed studio behind other period hits including Cable Girls, Velvet, and Grand Hotel. Each episode is structured as a “Lesson” (Lesson 1: Don't fall in love; Lesson 2: No lying, and so forth) and isn’t afraid to break the fourth wall, with characters sometimes speaking directly to the audience. Lighthearted and full of energy, the series may be less steamy than Bridgerton, but it cleverly threads in contemporary feminist themes through its strong, complex female leads.
A Cast of Familiar Faces and Strong Reviews—But a Short Run
The cast features several Netflix favorites. Nadia de Santiago (Elena Bianda) appeared in Cable Girls and The Time It Takes. Paula Usero (Josefina) could be recognized from The Cook of Castamar, Iratxe Emparan (Carlotta) from The Snow Girl, and Álvaro Mel (Santiago) from A Perfect Story and Deadly Book Club.
Critics and audiences have offered high praise on platforms like Allociné, where viewers called the series “funny, refreshing, and inspiring,” and described it as “well-paced, mixing humor, family intrigue and social commentary on women’s roles.” Many found it a perfect show to lift your mood, with a quirky narrative style and memorable soundtrack.
Still, there’s a bittersweet note: De parfaites demoiselles was cancelled after its first eight-episode season. Even though its open ending teased the possibility of continuing, and a second season had reportedly been confirmed, Netflix reversed course—apparently due to budget constraints. For now, eight episodes are all fans get.
