HTA Lecture: “From Austen to Bridgerton: The Enduring Appeal of Regency Romance in Popular Culture”

Dr. Amber Harrison Mabus will present the 2026 Humanities Teacher Award lecture for Holmes Community College titled “From Austen to Bridgerton: The Enduring Appeal of Regency Romance in Popular Culture.”

250 years after her birth, Jane Austen’s stories still resonate with modern audiences, thanks to the ongoing popularity of Regency-era romance in books, television, and film. Dr. Amber Mabus will explore how Austen’s novels laid the groundwork for this genre, shaping the way 21st-century audiences think about love, social rules, and class during the Regency period. By connecting Austen’s work to modern adaptations like Netflix’s Bridgerton, Mabus’s presentation will demonstrate why Austen’s portrayal of romance within strict social boundaries continues to captivate audiences today.

The lecture will take place on the Holmes Community College Ridgeland campus on March 3, 2026, at 2 p.m.