Why Taylor Tomlinson's New Netflix Special Has 'Bridgerton' Fans 'Spitting Out Their Tea' in Laughter

AnnaMarie HoulisFri, February 27, 2026 at 6:07 AM UTC

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(Photo by Amanda Stronza on Getty Images)

Taylor Tomlinson's fourth Netflix comedy special, Prodigal Daughter, released on February 24, sees Tomlinson leaning into her signature blend of self-deprecation, sharp observational wit, and brutally honest storytelling. And it's resonating with audiences across genres, including fans of escapist fare like Bridgerton.

So what makes Prodigal Daughter such a hit with viewers who might usually sip their tea while watching regency-era romance? For one thing, Tomlinson's humor is unfiltered and unpredictable, which are certainly qualities that mirror the guilty-pleasure thrills Bridgerton devotees seek, albeit in a very different genre. Moreover, however, Tomlinson brought up Bridgerton in what fans are calling one of her best jokes yet.

While Bridgerton fans are used to scandalous glances across candlelit ballrooms and juicy plot twists, Tomlinson serves up her own version of "tea" with personal revelations and comedic truths so sharp they make people literally spit out whatever they're drinking.

"New special is spectacular," one viewer commented on Netflix's Instagram post promoting the special. "[It] has brilliant moments, including one of the greatest and cleverest jokes I ever heard—spat my tea out laughing."

The joke?

Tomlinson told the audience that she's been "running into obstacles" she never thought she'd face in queer dating—like getting "dumped by a polyamorous person," which she likened to "getting fired from a part-time job."

"I know some of you don't believe me," she went on. "You're like, 'There's no way you liked being poly, Taylor. You are not cool. You reek of monogamy. I bet you masturbate to Bridgerton. And you know what? I don't. I have, but I don't."

The comedian went on to joke that the Bridgerton comment couldn't possibly make it into the Netflix special. It's way "too vulnerable" for Netflix—unless, of course, it helped the algorithm.

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"If you liked Bridgerton..." she joked, suggesting that Netflix would recommend that Bridgerton fans watch her special next.

And, apparently, that's exactly what's happening for many Bridgerton viewers.

"I watched Bridgerton, then saw this advertised… So, I watched it, as well," one person commented. "And I am now a fan!"

In fact, Netflix recommended Tomlinson's special to plenty of Bridgerton viewers. But others had the opposite journey.

"The way I laughed when I finished the special, and Netflix recommended Bridgerton to watch next," one shared, with another adding that "Bridgerton was the first thing [Netflix recommended], and [they] laughed like it was part of the show."

In Prodigal Daughter, Tomlinson tackles all types of weighty topics like religion, sexuality, modern dating, and the messy, chaotic reality of adulthood. Her kind of comedy is smart, relatable, and delivered with impeccable timing. A Bridgerton fan might come for a laugh, but they'll certainly stay for the way Tomlinson makes deeply personal experiences universally hilarious.

Related: Taylor Tomlinson Reveals the First Thing She'd Do If She Were a Man for a Day, and It Might Surprise You

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”