The Queer Twist That Has ‘Bridgerton’ Fans Screaming
Although it was Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin’s (Luke Newton) season of Bridgerton that came to a close today, an entirely different character received quite a bit of hooplah over a big plot twist: Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd).
(Warning: Huge spoilers for Bridgerton Season 3 to follow.)
In the Bridgerton Season 3 finale, the newly engaged couple Francesca and John Stirling (Victor Alli) run into a familiar face at a big ball. John’s cousin Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) is in attendance and literally takes Francesca’s breath away. Francesca is so stunned by Michaela’s beauty that she forgets her own name. Talk about a meet cute!
But, wait…aren’t Francesca and John paired up? Well, yes, but in the books (and again, big spoilers ahead, now for future seasons) John later passes away. Francesca ultimately remarries with his cousin Michael Stirling. Now, that cousin has become Michaela. Although this twist isn’t totally official yet—Francesca and Michaela haven’t sealed the deal—this does seem to signal the first official queer main couple on the show.
Showrunner Jess Brownell did clarify what’s going on with Francesca’s upcoming marriage to John. In an interview with Glamour, Brownell stated that Francesca does love John, meaning that she’s most likely bisexual.
“I just want to say that I don't think that the reveal of Francesca's future queerness negates what she has with John,” Brownell said. “I personally don't believe in a hierarchy of relationships. Every relationship is different, and lots of different kinds of love are valid. The kind of love she has for John is very real.”
The decision to gender-bend Francesca’s love interest has paid off. The Bridgerton fans chimed in early on Thursday morning to celebrate Michaela’s first appearance, especially elated at how lovestruck Francesca was at the ladies’ first meeting.
francesca was already the IT girl and now she’s gay ??? ohhhh i’m seated #bridgerton pic.twitter.com/huW49QCnl1
— mel ʕ•̮͡•ʔ (@hcsiequake) June 13, 2024
Anyways, happy pride to Francesca and Michaela 💕#Bridgerton #BridgertonSeason3 pic.twitter.com/Z8GL8n4HON
— out of context bridgerton (@NoContxtBton) June 13, 2024
WELCOME MASALI BADUZA AS MICHAELA STIRLING WE ARE SO SO SO HAPPY AND DELIGHTED TO SEE HOW YOUR BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY WITH FRANCESCA WILL PLAY OUT pic.twitter.com/EHxctHV0LF
— when she was wicked (@colbridgertons) June 13, 2024
francesca bridgerton created gay panic #bridgerton pic.twitter.com/k2kySHjRqG
— mel ʕ•̮͡•ʔ (@hcsiequake) June 13, 2024
While most fans are enthusiastic about this change, there will be naysayers. In light of that, the Bridgerton community has already rallied behind Francesca and Michaela, ensuring that they’ll take down bullies and homophobes online.
me having to defend michaela and francesca already from the part of the bridgerton fandom that is talking about how straight romance rep and book plot matters even tho they had 3 full seasons of it and we know nothing about how the plot is gonna go yet pic.twitter.com/cRghzpDr9Z
— manu (@yonoexiste) June 13, 2024
bridgerton book readers threatening to drop the season after they realized francesca's main love interest is no longer Michael but MICHAELA😁 biggest smile on my face I never said shit about you @shondarhimes pic.twitter.com/Q9ehpFE46M
— lexi (@cuntyrhae) June 13, 2024
MICHAELA STIRLING…FRANCESCA BRIDGERTON…GET BEHIND ME pic.twitter.com/XkwDoURWxo
— Rachael Lippincott (@rchllipp) June 13, 2024
Some viewers, however, are such fans of the books that they’re unhappy to see such a major change to Francesca’s storyline. One Bridgerton viewer slammed the show for scrapping Francesca’s infertility plot for “gay inclusivity.” They continued, “It’s not homophobic, it’s a CRIME.”
i’m so fucking sad i don’t even know what to say. francesca and michael’s story was my favorite. i can’t believe they did this. im so upset pic.twitter.com/Z4Va9p099W
— avery 🇵🇸 dublin n1&2 (@gwenandellie) June 13, 2024
So they scrapped michael stirling aka the best bridgerton man and francesca’s struggles with infertility for some diversity pic.twitter.com/8Q8ysxMAHE
— safa (@duydezi) June 13, 2024
I want to know in what kind of drugs were the Bridgerton scenarists when they decided that the most delicate and lmpactful story of Michael Stirling and Francesca’s infertility needed to be scrapped for gay inclusivity?? It’s not homophobic, it’s a CRIME. #BRIDGERTON pic.twitter.com/7a93rge7Vh
— Nine (@NINEEEv) June 13, 2024
Well, no, as of 2024, being queer isn’t “a crime.” It’s delightful to see both Francesca and Benedict’s characters have new identities in the serial adaptation of Bridgerton, even if it is a big change for their storylines. We shouldn’t be forcing characters into their straight plots when so many viewers yearn for queer love interests—and especially not during pride month!
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