The second part of Bridgerton Season 3 has finally reached us on Netflix and continues Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin’s (Luke Newton) dramatic love story. With the new season, the hit series focuses on a heterosexual couple for the third time, while openly queer characters and stories has also been looking for in vain in the supporting characters.
The season finale has finally arrived Hope for change for future episodes – which has already been confirmed by the series creator. Just in time for Pride Month, we want to take a closer look at the topic.
Queer characters in Bridgerton: Season 3 finale paves the way for Benedict and Francesca
Anyone who paid close attention to the final episodes of season 3 can probably already imagine where the journey is going. Fans have been speculating since season 1 about the sexuality of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), who has so far shown little interest in the (heteronormative) marriage market at the English court. The third season then saw him in a fiery romance with the widow Lady Tilly (Hannah New) ‒ as well as a sexual encounter with his friend Paul (Lucas Aurelio).
Benedict seemed to have been permanently changed by this encounter, as he made promising hints to this effect in a conversation with Eloise (Claudia Jessie). We can therefore expect that Bridgerton will deviate from its storyline in Julia Quinn’s novel in the coming seasons and bring Benedict together with a man again.
Netflix
Luke Thompson as Benedict in Bridgerton
In addition, a real surprise awaited us in the final minutes of the third season. After the cozy and quiet wedding of Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and John Sterling (Victor Alli), the two decide to move to John’s estate in the Scottish Highlands. John tells her shortly before departure that his Cousin Michaela Sterling (Masali Baduza) will accompany the two of them. When the two introduce themselves to each other, Francesca is suddenly speechless. And there could be a reason for that.
Attention, follow here massive spoilers for the novel of Bridgerton and Francesca’s future: Die-hard Bridgerton fans and connoisseurs of the book A delightfully wicked gentleman * know that John will die a tragic death. After his death, however, Francesca falls in love again ‒ and in John’s cousin, Michael SterlingThe series adaptation on Netflix has made Michael a female character here with Michaela – which opens up the possibility of a queer romance for Francesca. That would at least explain her overwhelmed and overwhelmed reaction to Michaela.
Netflix
Francesca and John meet a surprising fate
Bridgerton creator Jess Brownell explains gender swap and Francesca’s queer future
Changing Francesca’s story from Quinn’s novel was no accident. Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell explained to Deadline that she “Francesca’s queer story” I saw it from the beginning:
When I [Francescas] When I read the book, I could really relate to it as a queer woman. Maybe not in the way Julia Quinn intended, but a lot of Francesca’s book is about feeling different from the rest of her family and the world around her and not knowing exactly why. The book is probably mostly about being introverted. But I think for many queer people, not all, but many, this feeling of being different is part of our history. So the change here felt natural.
Whatever the future holds for Francesca and Benedict, we are more than ready to finally see queer characters and stories in Bridgerton. The spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story has already impressively demonstrated that these do not seem out of date even in a historical setting and can only enrich the series. The two queer characters Brimsley (Sam Clemmett) and Reynolds (Freddie Dennis) were among the absolute fan favorites of the Netflix hit for a reason.
It is not yet known when exactly new Bridgerton seasons will reach us. However, Jess Brownell has already explained that the production team is currently working in a two-year cycle. With a return of season 4, not before 2026 to be expected.
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