Christian author, speaker, and founder of IF:Gathering, Jennie Allen, is calling on believers to take a more intentional and discerning approach to the entertainment they consume, specifically cautioning against the widely popular Netflix series Bridgerton.
In a recent conversation addressing "guilty pleasures" and the normalization of certain types of media among Christians, Allen spoke candidly about her concerns, describing the show in stark terms and warning that its content can have a deeper spiritual impact than many may realize. Her comments have quickly sparked widespread discussion across social media and within Christian communities.
Allen argued that repeated exposure to explicit sexual content-such as what is frequently depicted in Bridgerton-can gradually shape a person's thinking and dull their sensitivity to sin. While acknowledging that the topic may be controversial, she emphasized that believers are called to live set apart and to carefully guard what influences their hearts and minds.
"We've got to be careful what we're letting in our mind," Allen said, stressing that entertainment is not spiritually neutral. According to her, what people watch, listen to, and engage with regularly plays a formative role in their desires, values, and ultimately their spiritual lives.
Bridgerton, produced by Shondaland and released on Netflix, has become one of the platform's most successful global series, known for its lavish production, romantic storylines, and diverse casting. Set in Regency-era London, the show follows the lives and relationships of the Bridgerton family and the high-society world they inhabit. However, it also carries a TV-MA rating due to its frequent depictions of nudity, sexual relationships, and explicit scenes-elements that Allen believes warrant caution for Christian viewers.
Her warning is part of a broader message she has consistently shared in her ministry: that Christians should pursue holiness not only in outward actions but also in their private lives, including what they consume through media. Allen encouraged believers to evaluate whether their entertainment choices align with their faith and to consider the long-term effects of what may initially seem harmless or culturally acceptable.
At the same time, Allen acknowledged that conversations like these can be polarizing. Some listeners have supported her stance, agreeing that Christians should exercise stronger boundaries in a media-saturated culture. Others, however, have pushed back, suggesting that her characterization of the show may be overly severe or that individual conscience should guide such decisions.
Despite differing reactions, the discussion highlights an ongoing tension within the church: how to faithfully engage with mainstream culture while maintaining biblical convictions. Allen's comments have reignited that conversation, prompting many to reconsider how entertainment shapes spiritual formation.
As a bestselling author and influential Bible teacher, Allen continues to use her platform to challenge believers toward intentional living. Her remarks on Bridgerton serve as a reminder of her central message-that following Christ involves not only what is believed publicly, but also what is allowed privately to shape the heart and mind.
