Serena Williams Breaks Hollywood Norms by Joining Bridgerton Through Friendship, Not Auditions
Look, we’ve all tried getting a job through LinkedIn or cold emails, right? Meanwhile, Serena Williams just danced her way onto one of Netflix’s biggest shows. Because apparently, when you’re a 23-time Grand Slam champion, you can just skip the whole “audition tape” thing and land a role in Bridgerton through Instagram.
Must be nice.
The tennis legend’s upcoming appearance in the hit period drama didn’t happen through some stuffy casting call. Instead, it all started with a TikTok dance challenge, some killer chemistry with producer Shonda Rhimes, and probably the most fun job interview in television history. If you’re sitting there updating your resume for the millionth time, you might want to reconsider your strategy.
How Williams Went From Tennis Courts to Regency-Era Romance
The whole thing kicked off during the Stephanie Mills challenge—you know, that viral trend where everyone dances to “Never Knew Love Like This Before.” Williams teamed up with Rhimes for what looked like just another celebrity collaboration. Rhimes lip-synced while holding her memoir Year of Yes like a microphone, and Williams brought the energy as her backup dancer.
But here’s where it gets interesting. What started as playful banter turned into something real when Rhimes jokingly suggested Williams could appear as a Bridgerton extra if she kept up the backup dancing gig. The internet absolutely ate it up, with even Ellen Pompeo (Rhimes’ Grey’s Anatomy star) jumping into the comments to cosign the whole thing. The official Shondaland account basically demanded they make it happen.
And honestly? The chemistry between them was undeniable. These aren’t just two celebrities doing a publicity stunt—this is genuine friendship between two women who’ve completely transformed their respective industries.
The Friendship That Made It Happen
What makes this casting actually feel authentic instead of gimmicky is the real relationship between Williams and Rhimes. This isn’t some random celebrity cameo cooked up by a marketing team at 2 AM. Rhimes has been vocal about her admiration for the Williams sisters for years, praising not just their athletic achievements but who they are as people.
The dance video happened during an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of Rhimes’ Year of Yes book tour in Philadelphia this past October. Williams hosted the evening, and afterward, Rhimes couldn’t stop gushing about it on Instagram. She called Williams a “legend” and an “icon” who made the night unforgettable, highlighting her comedic timing and natural ability to create memorable moments.
It’s refreshing, honestly. In an industry that often feels manufactured and fake, watching two powerhouses genuinely enjoy each other’s company hits different.
When Can We Actually See Williams in Action?
Before you get too excited about Williams popping up in corsets and attending balls in Season 4 (dropping January 2026), pump the brakes a bit. Industry insiders are suggesting her actual appearance will more likely happen in Season 5. Production timelines being what they are, it makes sense they’d need more time to integrate her character meaningfully into the show’s intricate storylines.
Bridgerton has already redefined period dramas with its diverse casting, lush visuals, and those orchestral covers of modern pop songs. Adding Williams to this world represents another evolution in how the series approaches celebrity appearances—prioritizing organic connections over manufactured publicity stunts.
Williams’ Growing Entertainment Empire
This isn’t Williams’ first rodeo outside of tennis. Since retiring from professional competition in 2022, she’s been building an impressive entertainment and business portfolio. She’s serving as an executive producer on Netflix’s “Carrie Soto Is Back” (inspired by her own tennis career), made strategic investments through her venture capital firm, and co-owns the NWSL team Angel City FC with her husband, Alexis Ohanian.
She’s also joined the Los Angeles Golf Club alongside Rhimes and Ohanian, getting involved in the tech-focused golf league launching in 2024. Plus, she’s been advocating for mental health awareness and postpartum fitness while balancing family life with her daughters, Olympia and Adira.
The woman doesn’t do anything halfway, apparently.
Breaking Hollywood’s Traditional Rules
What Williams’ Bridgerton casting really represents is how the entertainment industry’s rules are changing. Traditional paths to acting roles—multiple auditions, callbacks, nervous performances for casting directors—are getting disrupted by social media connections and authentic relationships.
Serena Williams didn’t need to prove she could act (though her Super Bowl LIX performance dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” showed she’s got stage presence for days). She didn’t need to submit headshots or read sides. She just needed to be herself, connect with the right person, and let their mutual respect do the talking.
It’s actually a pretty good reminder that sometimes the most valuable currency in any industry isn’t your resume—it’s the genuine relationships you build along the way. Though, you know, being a tennis legend with 23 Grand Slam titles probably doesn’t hurt either.
What This Means for Period Drama Television
Bridgerton has already pushed boundaries with its colorblind casting and modern sensibilities wrapped in historical packaging. Bringing in Williams continues that tradition of doing unexpected things that somehow work perfectly. The show’s never been afraid to break conventions, and this casting feels like a natural extension of that philosophy.
Whether Serena Williams delivers a brief cameo or something more substantial remains to be seen. But her participation guarantees significant viewer interest and media coverage. More importantly, it sends a message about television increasingly embracing unconventional casting that prioritizes cultural conversations over traditional acting credentials.
The Bottom Line
Serena Williams continues proving that excellence in one field can translate to success in completely different arenas—if you’re willing to take risks and stay authentic. From dominating tennis for decades to viral dance moments and now Regency-era romance, her journey reflects both personal evolution and broader cultural shifts.
As production continues on upcoming Bridgerton seasons, one thing’s certain: Williams’ eventual appearance will be must-see TV. And somewhere, aspiring actors are probably wondering if they should just start making TikToks with famous producers instead of taking acting classes.
Lions' defensive masterclass performance highlighted by Alim McNeill's return
The Detroit Lions bounced back with a dominant 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. The Lions avenged one of their two losses in the regular season, and despite their injuries in the secondary, Detroit's defense was stout courtesy of an excellent game plan by defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeil was also hugely impactful in his first start since suffering an ACL injury last December. While he only recorded one assisted tackle, his ability to create pressure on Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was enough for the Lions to make key defensive stops throughout the game.
Having McNeil back on the defensive line is huge for the defense moving forward. Before his injury last December, McNeil was a key player for the Lions' defensive front, making 25 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 14 games played.
Alim McNeill makes an impact in his first game back
The Lions' defense put on a show from the start as they held the Buccaneers to three points in the first half and under 60 yards of total offense. The Lions' defense held Mayfield to complete 56 percent of his passes as he finished with 228 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 28-of-50 passing in the game.
McNeill had two pressures on the night and finished up with a PFF grade of 81.2, which put him close to the top of Lions' defense for Week 7. His addition back to the D-line opened things up for the Lions' entire pass rush, and Mayfield barely had time to settle in against them.
Despite missing nearly their entire second half, Sheppard and the Lions had an impressive defensive game plan to stop the Buccaneers' wide receivers. Cornerbacks Nick Whiteside and Rock Ya-Sin stepped up for the Lions in the secondary, combining for five passes defended.
What's next for the Lions heading into the bye week?
With the win, the Lions improve to 5-2 on the season heading into the bye week. Entering the bye week with momentum and a win is huge for the Lions, especially with the teams they'll play coming out of it.
The bye week also gives the Lions the perfect opportunity to heal and hopefully get some of their key defensive starters in the seconday for when they play the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 2. Following the first of two matchups against the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions will play the Washington Commanders on the road where they hope to avenge last season's heartbreaking loss in the NFC Divisional Round.
The Lions will also face the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, on the road on November 16, in what should be a battle between two top NFC teams.
