Netflix has reportedly banned stars on its period dramas from wearing corsets after complaints from actors.
The stars of shows such as Bridgerton will now be allowed to wear their own underwear, it has been reported.
The instantly recognisable undergarment has long been a mainstay of period dramas, but the reality of the waist-cinching corset is restrictive and painful.
Bridgerton producers have now reportedly informed the cast on the hit Shondaland show that they will no longer be required to wear corsets after complaints of both short and long-term ‘damage’ from wearing them on set for hours at a time.
A source told The Sun : “There were health and safety concerns about keeping women in a pinching corset for weeks at a time.
“Many stars have reported bruising and even breathing problems.”
They went on to note that it is ‘not great optics’ to be promoting a cinched waist and potentially unrealistic body standards through the use of a corset.
The source added: “It may well have been reflective of the time, but broadcasters and streamers want to be seen as progressive. It's a big moment in the history of the period drama.”
It comes after Bridgerton star Simone Ashley, who plays Kate Sharma, detailed the challenges of fitting into the Regency period wardrobe after she joined the second season.
The cast returned to Bath as filming began, but Simone said certain elements of the gossipy drama proved to be an adjustment - chiefly, the ornate wardrobe.
Describing the corsets as ‘interesting’, Simone told Glamour that she had to be helped into her costumes by the crew because she couldn’t bend over to put her shoes on while wearing the waist-cinching contraptions.
But that proved to be the least of her worries, when she fuelled up on a large salmon lunch ahead of her first day to make sure she could power through filming.
“That’s when I needed to be sick, basically because I was wearing the corset,” she said. “I realised when you wear the corset, you just don’t eat. It changes your body.”
She added: “I had a smaller waist very momentarily. Then the minute you stop wearing it, you’re just back to how your body is.
“I had a lot of pain with the corset, too - I think I tore my shoulder at one point!”
The series, based on the Julia Quinn novels, launched on the streaming giant to a rapt audience and became one of Netflix ’s biggest original series, watched by a record 82 million households in just 28 days.
The Mirror has contacted Netflix for comment.
