Oh, Bridgerton fans! Just when you thought the socially scandalous, romance-filled Regency-era drama was done wowing us, it goes and delivers a twist that leaves everyone buzzing. The third season on Netflix has been nothing short of spectacular, and if you haven’t been watching, here’s your official FOMO alert!
So, what’s causing all the frenzy this time? Well, hold onto your bonnets, because the LGBTQ+ storyline revelation involving Francesca Bridgerton is here to make your jaw drop.
Double the Drama, Double the Delight!
If there’s one thing Bridgerton does well, it’s keeping us on our toes and longing for more. This season brought us the adorable conclusion of the Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) saga. They navigated the scandalous waters of society to finally marry and welcome a baby boy. Aww!
But let’s not just talk about all things straight and narrow. The real shake-up came in the form of Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd). This is where the storyline took an unexpected, yet deeply moving turn.
Love in the Era of Chaos
As many of you loyal readers and viewers know, Bridgerton is based on the books by Julia Quinn. Hence, a lot of fans eagerly awaited to see their cherished scenes manifest on screen. One such spicy little number was the mirror scene between Colin and Penelope. Oh yes, the steamy aura of printed pages seemed to waft right through the screen!
But the story diverged significantly for Francesca. Stalwart fans of the novels were well aware that Francesca’s storyline originally involved a romantic entanglement with Michael, her husband Lord Kilmartin’s cousin.
A Warm Welcome to Michaela
Surprising absolutely everyone, instead of Michael, Francesca encounters Michaela, magnificently portrayed by Masali Baduza. The plot thickens, the tension rises, and you can practically hear the collective gasp of “Did they just do that?”
Jess Brownell, the showrunner extraordinaire, finally spilled the tea to Teen Vogue about this ground-breaking twist and what it means for Francesca’s character. Turns out, this wasn’t just a plot twist for drama’s sake but a well-thought-out story of queer experience that reflects Brownell’s own life experiences.
Books in Vogue
Brownell, with pride and a dash of sass, pointed out that Francesca’s book, ‘When He Was Wicked,’ is all about feeling different and finding oneself. This is where the queer storyline naturally found its place. Jess connected deeply with Francesca’s journey of self-discovery and felt it was a story that portrayed queer joy authentically.
Worried about whether Quinn’s fans would feel jilted by this narrative curveball? Brownell assured everyone that she had Quinn’s blessing to take Francesca down this new and exciting path.
Brownell’s Take
Ever-so-charmingly, Brownell added that the change was not to shoehorn in a queer character but to reflect an authentic queer experience in Regency-era London, bringing modernity and historical context to Bridgerton’s riveting universe.
