Julia Quinn, the author behind the best-selling Bridgerton book series that inspired the hit Netflix show, discussed the evolving landscape of romance fiction and its broader cultural impact during a recent interview in Seattle. Quinn, whose novels focus on eight siblings from an aristocratic British family navigating love in Regency England, shared insights into the genre’s surging popularity, its commercial success, and the changing attitudes toward romance literature.

Quinn emphasized the importance of meaningful content in romance novels, particularly regarding intimate scenes. “For me, sex scenes have to serve a purpose in the book, other than just being there,” she said, distinguishing romance from erotica. Quinn has spent three decades crafting stories that blend emotional depth with historical settings, primarily during the early 19th century, a period she calls a “sweet spot” for romantic storytelling.

The romance genre has experienced rapid growth, especially since 2008, with sales increasing significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the UK, annual revenue for romance novels grew from roughly £20 million before 2020 to about £69 million in 2024, while U.S. romance book sales reached 51 million copies last year, doubling over four years. Quinn noted that romance is a key driver for the publishing industry, stating, “We are why poets get paid. We’re the reason that publishers can afford to take risks.”

Hollywood has also embraced the genre, with Quinn’s Bridgerton series marking a turning point. The show, produced by Shonda Rhimes and released on Netflix in December 2020, quickly became one of the platform’s top 10 most viewed series, with 113 million views in its first three months. This success led to a surge in adaptations of romance novels, including recent streaming hits and blockbuster films.

Quinn’s own works, which include the Smythe-Smith and Bevelstoke series in addition to Bridgerton, have sold more than 20 million copies in the U.S. alone and have been translated into 43 languages. Shortly after the Bridgerton series debuted, all eight sibling-centered novels simultaneously appeared on The New York Times bestseller list.

During the conversation, Quinn touched on the cultural stigma romance fiction has historically faced, once dismissed as trivial or “bodice rippers,” despite its predominantly female authorship and readership. She attributed this to societal devaluation of the feminine and a narrow definition of “great literature.” However, she observed that recent years have seen a shift, with greater openness about female desire and sexuality, trends amplified by pandemic lockdowns and digital communities like BookTok on TikTok, which create spaces for fans and writers to connect and celebrate the genre.

Quinn also expressed mixed feelings about the rise of artificial intelligence in publishing, acknowledging industry concerns about its potential to disrupt traditional storytelling formulas while admitting uncertainty about the future impact.

The Bridgerton TV series has drawn both acclaim and controversy for its diverse casting and inclusion of LGBTQ+ storylines, elements Quinn supports despite giving up creative control when selling adaptation rights. The upcoming fifth season, set for release in 2027 and based on Quinn’s novel *When He Was Wicked*, will focus on a lesbian romance, marking a departure from the original books.

Beyond her literary career, Quinn is an outspoken advocate for progressive causes, including gender equality and opposing book bans targeting queer and non-white authors or themes involving non-traditional families. She served as U.S. national ambassador for the nonprofit EveryLibrary in 2023-24, often using her platform to raise awareness about censorship efforts, including a 2024 congressional bill (HR 7661) that would ease removal of certain books from public libraries under broad criteria.

Quinn also serves on the board of Landesa, a global charity promoting land rights for women, linking this mission to historical property ownership issues faced by women in Regency times.

When asked if she ever wished to live in the 19th century, Quinn declined, citing modern healthcare and voting rights as benefits she would not trade for historical authenticity.

As she prepares for a visit to the UK to observe filming of the new Bridgerton season, Quinn reflects on her writing journey and future projects, including adaptations like the *Queen Charlotte* spin-off, where she turned a script into a novel for the first time. Despite her deep immersion in Regency-era romance, Quinn remains firmly rooted in today’s social and cultural realities.