Stream on Apple TV
Based on 2 seasons, 16 episodes · through August 6, 2025
This show is a historical drama about a group of rich American girls who move to London in the 1870s to find husbands. It is loosely based on a book by Edith Wharton. The series uses a very modern style with modern pop music and dialogue. It features a lot of girl power, a diverse cast that does not match history, and a major romantic storyline about two young women who fall in love. These modern elements and social-justice themes are very easy for viewers to see.
Why 94%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Buccaneers.
Woke representation / casting
The show uses a highly visible casting style with actors of many different racial backgrounds playing aristocrats in 1870s London. This does not match real history. It also casts trans actress Josie Totah as Mabel, a key character in a lesbian romance.
75%
Woke political dialogue
Characters use modern language and speak about feminist ideas from today. They frequently talk about escaping the control of men, fighting the system, and overcoming the strict social rules of high society.
Production
55%
Identity-driven story themes
The show heavily features modern identity themes. The main plot centers on young women rebelling against traditional expectations. A very prominent storyline follows the romantic relationship and coming-out journey of Mabel and Honoria.
82%
Western institutional / cultural critique
Traditional marriage is shown as a cage used by men to control women. The upper-class society of England is criticized as a toxic system of privilege. Traditional family and gender roles are constantly shown as flawed.
65%
Woke character or canon changes
The TV show is a very loose adaptation of Edith Wharton's book. It changes the classic story by adding modern racial diversity and a lesbian romance that was not in the original novel.
78%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Many viewers and period-drama fans complained that the show is too woke. They disliked the forced modern diversity, the modern music, and the way the writers changed a classic book to push modern political views.
60%
Creator track record context
The creative team has a clear history of making feminist and queer-focused content. Writers like Catherine Shepherd and Georgia Christou actively advocate for LGBTQ representation and feminist stories.
45%
