Game Theory in Netflix's Bridgerton
Daphne and Simon hatch a fake relationship using real strategies
Can a fake relationship ever be the rational choice? That is the question facing Daphne and Simon in Bridgerton and game theory methods can be used to analyze their dilemma.
In my Game Theory class at Susquehanna University, students complete a final project where they apply game theory to something they find interesting. They create a video explaining and I like sharing some of the top projects. (With their permission, of course.)
In the video below, Kayla Gaston ‘26 analyzes Season 1 of Bridgerton through the lens of game theory. She focuses on the strategic interaction between Daphne and Simon , showing how their “fake relationship” can actually be a rational strategy in the marriage market.
Once real feelings enter the picture, the incentives change.
As you will see in the video, Kayla shows that there isn’t just one possible outcome. There are multiple Nash equilibria — one that leads to mutual happiness, and another outcome that is stable but clearly less desirable. The story becomes a great illustration of how incentives, reputation, and commitments shape behavior, even in a Regency-era romance.
Check it out, and stay tuned as a second video from Kayla on game theory in Bridgerton that will drop next week.
Great work, Matt & Kayla! I always appreciate getting to see students connect their personal interests to what they're learning in the classroom.
Love the applcation of multiple Nash equilibria to the fake dating setup. The bit about how reputation and commitment mechanicsm shape even Regency-era relationships is spot on, makes me think about how these sameincentive structures still play out in modern dating but without the formal marriage market constraints. That shift from rational strategy toreal feelings changing payoffs is probably the most overlooked partof any game theoretic model.