Brace yourselves, Bridgerton fans! Season four is set to turn up the romance and representation.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
Francesca Bridgerton, the often-overlooked sibling, is finally getting her time in the spotlight. In a thrilling twist, she’s set to embark on a queer romance with Michaela Stirling in an upcoming season. Showrunner Jess Brownell has spilled the beans, and we couldn’t be more excited!
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A Love Blooms
Francesca, played by the talented Hannah Dodd, has always been a bit of a mystery. Fans speculated about her asexuality due to her hesitance in finding a partner. However, season three changed the game when she married the charming bachelor John Stirling. But this isn’t the end of her story. Brownell has revealed that Francesca will fall in love with John’s cousin, Michaela, in the upcoming season.
“Francesca’s book talks a lot about how different she feels, and I think Julia Quinn’s intention is that Fran feels different because she’s introverted. But for many of us in the queer community, that sense of feeling different is a part of our stories,” Brownell shared.
“I felt there was fertile ground thematically to nod toward telling a queer story.”
Sparks Fly
At the end of season three, we saw Francesca meet her new husband John’s cousin, Michaela Stirling, played by Masali Baduza. The instant connection was undeniable, with Francesca stumbling over her words and avoiding eye contact. Fans were quick to pick up on the sparks flying between the two.
In the Bridgerton books, Francesca’s love interest is Michael Stirling. After John’s tragic death, they fall in love and marry. The show has cleverly gender-swapped Michael to Michaela, making Francesca’s story even more compelling.
A Queer Happy Ending
Brownell, a queer woman herself, wanted to ensure Francesca’s story resonated with the queer community.
“When approaching a queer story, it’s very important to me that we are able to see a queer happily-ever-after and not let it be queer trauma,” she told Deadline.
Fans can look forward to a beautiful and heartfelt love story between Francesca and Michaela. The series promises to handle their relationship with the care and respect it deserves, aiming for a happy ending that celebrates queer love.
Streaming Now
Bridgerton season three is already available for streaming on Netflix. If you haven’t caught up yet, now’s the perfect time. Season four is gearing up to be even more inclusive, romantic, and downright entertaining. Get ready for all the drama, romance, and now, a queer love story that’s bound to make waves.
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