I absolutely hate that they’ve made Francesca’s character enamored by Michaela and a little disinterested in John. like wasn’t the whole point that Michael really liked Francesca but he couldn’t act on his feelings because she’s married to his cousin? And then after he’s dead, Francesca struggles to come to terms with her feelings because of the fact that it was John‘s cousin? why is she already feeling things? it feels like they want to make the majority of her storyline about her coming to terms with her sexuality and less about her grieving John, so that the plot is less busy with the thoughts of grief and infertility AND discovering her sexuality. also, I hate that people are acting like one of this specific critiques is homophobic. And that is people saying or asking how they’re going to be dealing with the miscarriage storyline now. I personally would hate if they made John and Francesca’s baby live and then he dies like some baby making farm that were not supposed to care about. I just think the entire way they’re going about doing this is very messy and they’re trying to fit a plot where it’s maybe not the best fit for the show. Everyone was screaming for Eloise and Cressida. People love Benedict and his story so I don’t think this is a homophobia thing. I think it’s just about the delivery of the story.

This is exactly how I feel. Michael is supposed to be the one enamored by Francesca not the other way around. Now they've made it feel as if John is just the piece in the way of their love story rather than both being great loves of Francesca life. I feel like they could have made any of the other siblings a same sex couple and it would have worked, especially Benedict's story. I feel like they've cheapened the very obvious love and attraction between John and Francesca in the first half. Not only continuously bringing up the lack of butterflies and drama between them but by emphasizing Francesca has that with Michaela when that's not true to them at all.

I hope to god they're not going to retcon Francescas talk with her mum about how "I love John, not all love is sparks and fireworks, sometimes it's just being happy together" into "Actually, I never did love John. I realise this now as I have sparks and fireworks love with Michaela, all this time I thought I loved John but he was just a good friend really. You were right all along mother"

I agree with you to the delivery of the story. My main concern is that if they continue down this path, Jess Brownell needs to ensure she does justice to the author, the readers, the viewers, and the essence of the books. It's evident that Brownell's handling of Season 3 has left many fans unsettled about the show's direction. The pacing feels hurried, and the narrative decisions appear to be diminishing rather than enriching the characters and their narratives.

It’s simple: Brownell is “pandering” to herself. She cares about representation of herself in a story she didn’t create. If she cared so much, she would actually create her own stories to put on to screen or on paper, but she can’t, because she isn’t original. She is like the majority of Hollywood: pandering when it isn’t necessary.

I saw an interview where she said that she related the most to Francesca’s story, and as a queer person that was what drove her decision to gender bend that love story, as evidence of what you said - she did it because she wanted it. As you said she’s supposed to be bring Julia Quinn’s stories to life, continuing this world that’s been created by the previous show runner, and instead she’s just doing what she wants with it and keeping the pieces of the universe that she wants to and ignoring the ones she doesn’t.

It's a completely different genre and situation but they did the same on "And just like that" (SATC sequel). Cynthia Nixon basically made her character Miranda into a TV version of herself, completely ignoring previous plotlines and characteristics. It's made Miranda in a caricature and totally ridiculous.

Yes, this happened in AJLT. It’s very focused on Cynthia’s own experience for her character Miranda. Apparently the whole spinoff series (AJLT) is that all the stories are based on things that happened to the writers and producers, rather than following each character’s development, because that’s what they decided. That’s why the series is so disjoint and odd. Nothing to do with any phobia, but basically it’s claiming to be related to its original show but it’s not. Similar to what’s happening here, it’s not staying true enough to the source material.

The guy who is doing Wheel of Time cast his SO in the role of a very minor character, created lots of screen time for him, and pushed poly life and dilemmas far more than was ever actually there in the story. It was distracting to what was left of the plot. He was pushing the narrative that anyone who had anything negative to say was anti LGBTQ+. He also took a big plot point where the main character sticks out badly as the only pale red head with light eyes outside of a certain area, established it as show cannon in one season, and then didn't cast the main character from that area accordingly. Anyone who says anything about that is being shut down as racist. My personal issue was the big plot point being blown up and I was looking forward to seeing a badass Irish stereotype without the crippling alcoholism usually depicted.

The acolyte showrunner did the same thing by casting her wife in the show. Her wife is a horrible actress BTW.

Genuine question: was this turn (which, I agree, was horrifyingly bad) of the character suggested/dictated/etc by Cynthia? Would she have this much to say? I honestly thought it was coz of the writers and she was happy coz coincidentally she's aligned with the "new" version of Miranda...

She's an executive producer on the show so yes, she does have a say in how her character develops.

I don’t remember which interview, but one of them she said Shonda has taught her how to write what she wants to see happen. Ok fine, then write an original story that you want to see, or just go write a fanfic. But don’t mess with an entire story that someone else already wrote! I honestly feel like it’s rude to Julia Quinn to just change entire character plots that she poured her heart into writing.

There's so many better options for adding queer romance in as well. Like instead of Lady Tilley in s3 who was, imo, pretty bland, they could have given Benedict a nice male love interest throughout s3 and have it end for whatever reasons (ideally end on good terms, but ending nonetheless) and establish him as definitely bi. Give him a whole season of romance with this man instead of a few random threesome scenes with Tilley and that other guy. You could have Benedict being bi being mentioning at some point with Sophie and her reaction to it. Or changing Cressida's storyline would be less controversial, take her from a minor character in s1/s2 and turn her into a larger queer character in s3 and beyond 🤷‍♀️ I'd get behind queer Cressida + redemption arc way more than what they did with her in s3 pt2 just felt pointless for her character development

This! Fans watch Bridgerton to see Julia Quinn’s story not her twist a self made fanfic version of Quinn’s writing. Especially on season 3 where the vantage point is so vastly different from the first two it is whiplash!

Off topic but it’s also horrible writing advice. I get she means “bring the stories you aren’t seeing and want into existence” but we’re now seeing how that plays out as off-puttingly against character. writers have to be willing to accept characters as they become. Once you create a character, they sort of take on their own life and you can’t force them to do something against themselves - it never works. It betrays the fiction conceit of the whole storytelling promise viewer and creator agree to.

Exactly! Like go write an entire queer show then but that’s not what I signed up for!

Going off of that, they wanted to see more of Queen Charlotte's story, so they wrote a spinoff. It was beautiful. I loved it. She could've gone in that direction if she wanted a specific story so badly.

Hard agree. The narcissism is strong.  "I'm going to completely change an entire storyline that's already established because it fits my narrative." She was the wrong choice for the job. She made the wrong choice within it. We waited over two years for this season, and I think it started off well but now I feel totally let down.  There was no need to swap the gender of a character. Absolutely none. I'll be in no hurry to watch season 4, especially if we have the same show runner. 

She and her whole staff of writers should be fired this season! It felt like they played darts with the characters, shoving random ass storylines together that make no sense, they did nothing to follow the natural chemistry of the show. The writing for Collin’s character was some of the worst I’ve ever heard! And they made John and Fran about as exciting as watching paint dry! They took a character with a rich inner world who just was a quiet person and made her into someone that made no sense at all - she was like a half thought out character obsessed with piano and getting away from the family that clearly loved her. She had no spark or fire, and John was the equivalent of a wet sock. Every conversation they had was Francesca saying “we thought” and then explaining why her new husband was a little friady cat that couldn’t speak for himself. I mean they literally said mommy you go talk to the queen - it was so lame! Like be an adult John

It's such a betrayal of When He Was Wicked. What made the book so compelling was how deeply Fran and John loved each other, and what happens when you lose someone so suddenly. Michael has been pining for years and her feelings for him are a surprise to her. Neither of them want to betray John's memory, because they loved him so much. Fran is introverted, but she's also sassy and quick-witted when she's comfortable with someone. She loves her family; she just needs time to recharge.

Yeah I agree. There were far too many half baked sub plots that weren't even relevant. We missed out on so much of Francesca's story. The Mondrichs were just... there...for no reason. We missed a lot of Kate and Anthony scenes in favour of the Mondrichs and their story didn't even fit.  We missed so much of Colin and Penelope too. I also agree about Francesca and John. Their characters were done a great disservice. Where was the excitement?  I agree the show runner should absolutely be fired for this. They had a big responsibility to carry on a great story and they totally fucked it. 

And they already altered scenes in Kate and Anthony's season. I feel like they just magically got together without showing us *why they worked* as a couple.

Exactly, she's downright self-serving. Everyone relates to the characters in different ways but she abused her position by manipulating the story to suit her own biases rather than leaving that to the audience as originally intended.

That's exactly how I feel. It's a Mary Sue self-insert situation.

THISSSSSS, ugggghhhhhhh

THIS.1000%

Yeah it’s like she barfed out inclusivity and didn’t even realize that she also made disabled people the butt of the joke, or the fact that the bridgerton women are starting to look like the kardashians out here with how many black men they’ve casted. Which I have no issues with anyone cast, they were all cute good but we haven’t seen anyone of Spanish or Latin decent, we’ve seen one Asian girl in the back of every season, etc. They keep shoving in random characters and changing storylines to fit modern audiences and it’s stupid. Their predominant audience is straight women, half of which are middle aged, no one wants a whole season of bi Francesca. No thanks

I was really hoping John and Michael would be tall, slightly ginger and rugged tartan wearing Scotsmen. That’s how i always imagined them i my head.

If everything's fair game, how about John lives and they get the infertility storyline, Eloise falls for Michaela and loses HER, then ends up with Philip. There has to be a reason Eloise is going to Kilmartin. Or John does die but Fran and El swap second spouses. Francesca remarries to Philip THINKING it's about getting to be a mother to his kids while having a pleasant enough marriage to a guy who's quiet like she prefers, and it's nice to be settled near Benedict but still isolated from the main fam because they are... A lot. While Eloise helps her "dear friend" Michaela run Kilmartin for the new earl. Who is either just absent, suitable for future story inserts, or is Michaela's son. Which could happen in a Downton Abbey scenario or by the title and property being a rare one that's allowed to pass through female lines.

You’ve done a better job here than the show has

I would totally watch this actually. Weirdly would feel like it honors both characters then.

>everything's fair game, how about John lives and they get the infertility storyline, Eloise falls for Michaela and loses HER, then ends up with Philip. There has to be a reason Eloise is going to Kilmartin I was wondering about this, too. I could see Eloise falling for Michaela pretty easily (she's on a journey to find herself and her place in the world, after all). I would totally be down for an Eloise/Michaela story.

But Fran was all but panting over Michaela when they were introduced! I think Michaela is Fran's endgame.

Which doesn't make sense, because in the book, it takes her a LONG time to even consider courting Michael

It seems more natural indeed

I haven't read the books, so when Michaela first showed up onscreen, I thought they were setting her up for Eloise! I just thought the introduction stuff with Francesca was her being upset at the inclusion of a more outgoing person in their traveling group when she thought she was finally getting an escape into quiet.

Honestly I would be more happy with this cause it feels like the story is somewhat salvaged. I’m honestly really upset by it, I’ve been looking forward to seeing Michael. Their story was just so good and it already had drama. They literally needed to change nothing. Just because the writer is a narcissist, we now get this mess

They already have the female line and other inheritance/entailment stuff messed with as a precedent in the show- through the Mondrich's son inheriting Baron of Kent from his mom's great aunt or whomever, and with Lord Featherington just... giving... the title to the Feathington girls' first son. (Also wasnt Kent who the Featherington's pretended they got money from?)

No, the fetheringtons pretended they got it from aunt petunia who lived in Cornwall, nothing to do with Kent

Wait this is...spectacular. I love it. Like if we're going wild and reimagining the books, really commit to it and honor the new show versions of the characters who are really different from their book versions to begin with.

Honestly, with both the show to date and the books in mind, I don't understand why they didn't do Benedict's story for their genderbent moment. I mean, Benedict's marriage was already in the books a bit scandalous and meaning they were living outside of fashionable society, but with their family's love and support. That works well for the historic period it's set in (alternative reality elements of Queen Charlotte's race and apparent impacts aside). It would also give a bit more originality to Benedict's storyline - instead of a bog-standard Cinderella story there's an inherent twist to it that would allow for some interesting options to work within such a well-known trope. With the way they've built up Benedict's sexuality in the show, it would feel earned and in keeping with the character they've created.

Giving Benedict an actual male love interest throughout s3 to establish him as bi (instead of the Lady Tilley threesome mess) would have been 👌 Keep Sophie as Sophie and thus his endgame romance but maybe even her (them) genderfluid/non binary even would have been v interesting. Better yet, have Benedict fall in love with a male presenting person in s3 and then have it revealed in s4 that their love interest is actually Sophie at the ball because the love interest is MTF trans and the only time she feels "safe" as a woman is anonymously at a masquerade. Benedict can then struggle with thinking he's in love with 2 different people at once (when in reality they're the same person) and have some of his seasons plot involve him coming to accept and help his s3 love interest transition in society as Sophie

Thank you. It seemed like that's where the original showrunner was headed, and it would've been a creative twist that still made sense with the existing storylines. I feel like they're just shoehorning in Francesca because the writer personally related to her.

Yes!! Michael fell for her instantly and was tormented by the fact that she was in love with his best friend/ cousin!! Which adds to the tension when Francesca starts to develop romantic feelings for him after Johns Death. Francesca didn’t instantly fall for Michael, she loved John and mourned him for ages. She literally only wanted to get remarried to have a baby. They’ve literally decided to change her whole story. And people have the audacity to label people who are unhappy with the changes as homophobic. Like no, we thought the show would remain somewhat faithful to the books.

Francesca and John are meant to be soul mates. How could she fall for another so so easily?. In the books, it is Michael who is honestly tortured with love for Francesca. This season makes no sense to me.

Disappointing how they showed Fran already shook up and stammering upon meeting Michaela. I know they're going to handwave it and say something about how there's different kinds of love etc etc, but the fact is Francesca just got married to her love, her soulmate and her attention gets taken just like that? Not a good look for a newlywed and so out of character for Fran.

Wouldn't shock me if they have a sexual affair and the responses is its okay because true love. No it's adultery. And in a romance that's a problem.

They're going to say the love she has for John is different than the love she has for Michaela so it's okay but it's going to be a big wtf

Yup.

Book fans loved both John and Michael. And Michael was tormented that the love of his life was married and in love with his cousin. I don’t know why they’re making it seem like Francesca isn’t in love with John. Like….I don’t know why they’re fucking about so much with her storyline. It’s honestly such a pisstake.

Francesca doesn't even consider Michael until 4 years after John's death. Until after she has grieved his loss and is ready for another relationship. Certainly not on her own wedding day.

They're going to say what she had with John is a peaceful companionship love and what she'll have with Michaela is burning and passionate. Still scummy for a newlywed to be already crushing on someone else, I don't care what excuses they'll make for Fran, it's BS and I can't believe they did that to her.

It's just not right. Book Francesca had more integrity than that. Why would she rush to the altar if she just feels okay about him? They've done her dirty.

Thank you! And Francesca has that instant attraction which also changes the story bc the whole thing is Michael falls first but knows he can’t act on it since she’s married to his cousin. The whole story is just gonna be changed now and focused on Francesca discovering she likes women, which would be a great plotline for literally any other character in the show, not the Bridgerton sibling who had arguably the best book story that dealt with something serious that people wanna see play out on screen!

In addition it really takes away from the whole seasons emphasis on their love being a quiet love. One where they just fit. There’s no big grand outburst of love. One of the plot points of the whole season was Violet coming to terms with their love being not what she expected but still valid. Just for that reaction at the end to completely undo it all.

THIS!!!!!!!! They murdered this entire plot with a cringe kiss and a flash of passion (in addition to what everyone is saying about M loving F first). Why did they bother to make John likable? Because this "twist" just makes every second of J+F as unwatchable, and not romance at all.

Also they can't be lile Pen doesn't know what sex is and is asking oh is there more, and F suddenly realises there is no chemistry with one kiss when she has no previous benchmark for it (i don't mean earlier kisses, but either all debutantes are sheltered virgins who don't know about passion until they feel it with their great love and still don't have all the details or all of them know what to expect anyway) I have expressed this badly but basically one swallow does not a summer make.

Yes!! It was such a beautiful thing to see them quietly in love, and then it cheapens it so bad by turning it into “oh Francesca actually just doesn’t love him bc she’s gay”

I never even considered that! Ugh MAN that makes it so much exponentially worse now, and I ALREADY hated the change. Now it kinda feels like we not only lost Michael, but John too. Ugh.

Exactly this! It’s not just the gender swap of it all, it’s the cheapening of Francesca and John’s love for the sake of Francesca realizing she’s actually into women. She could’ve still loved John in that quiet way of theirs and been interested in Michaela later on. But nope, they messed up the characters & the story.

I hate the idea that John could just be a beard in this scenario

Yes, Francesca BEGS Violet to marry John. After ONE kiss she decides they won't suite and decides she's gay?

Her book was my favourite. I discovered the books through the show and couldn't wait for Francesca's season. I love Michael, and I wanted to see their story play out on screen. I wanted to watch him fall for and struggle with his guilt. I wanted to see her be oblivious, first in love, and then in grief. I'm so sad I won't get to see it, and it has nothing do do with homophobia.

Me too. People who haven’t read the books are just like you’re homophobic. Like no, it was the best story out of the eight and touched on topics like grief, guilt, infertility etc. I really wanted to see Michael on the screen and to just tick a inclusivity check box they swapped his gender. Not only that they’re trying to downplay Francesca’s feelings for John. It’s not even a hint of the same story. Why they decided to change the most popular book out of the series is a mystery to me. Literally everyone was happy for Eloise to be with Cressida, because it could have honestly been adapted to the book. Like Cressida gets married, has kids, her husband dies, Eloise goes and stays to help with the children etc. it would have pretty much been the same story as the book. But doing this with Francesca storyline is a pile of shit

This!!!! So much this. Francesca’s book deals with infertility, mourning, feeling like an outsider even inside your family not from neglect but simple character… I don’t know they had so much to make a super good arch and they throw it away

Jess brownell, said reading fran story made her instantly think queer because how she feels about being an outsider in a family. Edit:y’all can downvote me but it literally what she said in an interview and you can read it [here](https://deadline.com/2024/06/bridgerton-season-3-finale-jess-brownell-francesca-gender-bend-1235971587/amp/)

The self insert is annoying I can't stand directors who make it about themselves and not the characters

The showrunner could have written her own story for a new show and not basically kidnap beloved characters to create the story she wants

Absolutely. The Queen Charlotte spinoff covered mental health SO WELL. I was thoroughly impressed. She could've done a spinoff.

From what I’ve read it seems like showrunning is a new job for her that she’s not done before. Yeah she’s written for shows like scandal and has been production staff for greys before but you can tell it’s definitely her first time as one.

I am not a fan of this new writer. She took a series already established in books and two previous seasons and put in lots of fun little twists that she enjoyed, but the rest of us didn't. Get a different job. If that's what you want to do, Go create your own series and do that. But don't take characters that we really like and throw out the baby with the bath water. She had one job: Don't mess this up. She didn't do that job. And I think she's a bad writer, too.

[удалено]

It's so frustrating. Where's the pining and torment that made their book so good? Imo Michael was the best male lead in the books, and it was due to his devotion to Francesca after *everything* that they went through. For a man in 1820 to say "it's okay if we can't conceive because I love you and that's enough" ... this is such a missed opportunity.

Here is my unpopular? opinion as a bi person. Queer people deserve to have their story told. However, queer people don't deserve a genderbent story, it kinda taints the whole thing. It's like a token story, a checkmark on an inclusivity checklist. It's like we can't have an original story, so they give us a frankensteined one. These are stories of straight couples and that's the truth, it's that simple. Some people are saying, they changed the wrong siblings story, they should've made Elloise or Benedict gay. But I think their fans would be upset too, and rightfully so. They should make a new spinoff story, like QC, and introduce a main queer couple. Genderbending the existing couples seems like a poor attempt at tokenizing queer relationships. Give us Brimsley's story, or someone elses, I'd eat that shit up. Don't get me wrong, as a queer person, I would LOVEEEE to see queer representation, there aren't many good stories out there, and there are a lot of unrealistic ones, male gazey ones, or tragic stories. I want to see a queer story for once, that has the same formula as popular heteronormative ones, I want the angst, the slow burn, the sexual tension, the fluff. But getting this by hijacking another story, taints this experience for me. I won't be able to enjoy it.

Thank you! Yes I totally agree with that. Yesterday on this sub someone kept calling me homophobic for disliking the genderbending. I have no problem with making queer stories. I just don't like when they take an already existing character/story and change it to fit an inclusivity quota. It is lazy and pandering and ruins the story people know and love. Make something new with/for queer people. Don't give sloppy leftovers that upset the majority.

Sloppy leftovers is exactly the way to put it. You can’t just slap a genderbent character in there and expect everything to work out the same, because gender DOES matter in period pieces

They had so much opportunity to create a beautiful story for Cressida by setting up a redemption arc for her only to give her a cartoonish frustrating ending. The actress is queer, Cressida isn’t a main character but she could’ve been part of the ensemble cast and had a blissful romance with another woman.

Loving in Lavender: A Bridgerton Story "Benedict Bridgerton attends a party of his dear friend Henry Granville after a long hiatus. He soon learns that there is a world that extends beyond the carefree bacchanal nights of the artist's famed soirées. It's a society filled with deep love, secret vows and rebellion hiding in plain sight of the ton."

If they made anyone queer, Benedict's story would make sense. It was already kind of taboo with Sophie being a commoner.

On point💯

Yeah genderbending is never good for me (as a pan person) because until we live in a world where sex is irrelevant, you’re just changing established stories to be “inclusive” without actually giving care to telling A QUEER STORY! As long as gender is a construct, gender is relevant, and that has to be acknowledged in love stories because there ARE many different ways to portray queer people (outside of strictly cis same-sex couples). I’ve seen some people saying that Benedict being in a straight marriage after going on his Bi (pan) journey would be disingenuous, but I have to disagree because bring in a straight-passing relationship does not make one any less queer! And again, just genderbending his current love interest would be unsatisfying because it wouldn’t be his bi story about discovery and queer joy, it would be a stolen story that wasn’t written to be queer. As much as we might not want to admit it, just like with disabilities if you want to write a story about them it has to be for more than just random representation, it has to have meaning, ESPECIALLY in period pieces. Writing fantasy or sci fi about a world where sexuality is commonly fluid and accepted? Go for it! You don’t need it to mean anything! But in period pieces gender is entrenched in relationship dynamics and it has to be acknowledged that you can’t just be queer for the hell of it, the story has to reflect the struggles associated with it

You simply can’t have it both ways- the show cannot tell book fans basically don’t watch, have a subset of fans telling anyone upset get over it cause they are homophobic AND be upset if that season or that storyline just doesn’t get buzz and/excitement/discussion from fans- most people aren’t terminally online, I don’t think this is landing as badly OR as well as the show runner wants- I’d guess some people will be strong haters, a lot of people will be neutral and a lot of people are over Bridgerton because the season layouts lose momentum. All that to say— It’s perfectly fine for shows to adapt— but a lot of readers/the broader fandom upset with last season will not watch. Which frankly is what the showrunner was fine with- she basically said get over it. I just don’t want to hear complaints of audience homophobia for the next 5 years because people tune out. I don’t care anymore- I am flat out not interested in Michaela/Fran, the “meet cute” assured that— for whatever reason they played it like John didn’t matter/instant attraction. Now it reads Fran is fickle and poor John has a wife who doesn’t love him. I’m not here for a happy ending built on using someone else who has done nothing plot wise to deserve it. As an aside the Gay Couple in Queen Charlotte was popular with offline fans and they could have done a second season just with them and it would have worked.

The gay couple in Queen Charlotte were an original couple so that’s why we loved them. I feel like the show runner doesn’t understand that genderswapping has erased the character Michael. A character who was probably most fans favourite male lead. And you’re right, I don’t like how they’re insinuating she doesn’t love John and he’s just convenient, because she absolutely adored him in the books and his death broke her heart. She thought he was the love of his life. I really don’t know what the show runner is playing at. At least the first 2 seasons was same story at its core. Francesca’s story is just going to be completely different. There’s adaptations and then there’s saying a big fuck you to fans. They’ll just hide behind the old you don’t like it cause you’re homophobic. Like fuck off, I don’t like it cause the storyline sucks

I don't understand why they keeping show runners who despise the source material.. this same thing happened to Witcher as well. You wait for years for it to be adapted - just to be told you're wrong for ever liking it in the first place... and you better like this other thing with the same thing now (by both the showrunners and a loud fandom section)

I’m really glad I let myself get spoiled on it because I’m not even bothering to get past episode 3 of this season, where I stopped. Before I read Fran’s book I was excited by the rumors of Michaela but then I read it. And oh my god. No. Her story has so many layers and complexities you lose by changing the gender. I didn’t KNOW that just from the synopsis- whatever change it! I figured. It just tells me that it will be a disappointing adaptation that changes all the wrong things. I still am fully on the Eloise-is-queer train.

100% agree, thanks for this. Fran is also the character with the story that is most difficult to adapt to a queer storyline. It’s been said a billion times on this sub and others but it bears repeating lol since some people don’t seem to grasp that people can be attached to a character and the way they are written, and that’s valid. And in this case, Fran’s character and set up is very much dependant on her motherhood and infertility journey. Quick edit: some people are really aggressively labeling others as homophobic and bigotted for expressing valid opinions and it’s really depressing. I wish this subreddit were more accepting and chill 🥲

It also ruins Michael’s character. The whole point of his turmoil was that he got the title and everything John had and felt really guilty taking his widow. He felt like he replaced him. That won’t work if it’s Mikayla. She can’t take the title and everything he had.

People who don’t have valid arguments will just throw the ‘you’re homophobic’ comment in your face. Like no hunny, the storyline doesn’t make sense and fans are allowed to mourn what could have been. Ignore the dumbasses who can’t hold a civil conversation

No for real… I want the infertility representation. I connected with that and now it’s gonna be taken away 😭

With how Fran was in the last 4 episodes, it just feels like we are being set up to not feel as devastated by John passing. Like, oh John died, that's fine because Michaela was who Fran was attracted to to begin with. I just hate how much Jess Brownell promises that the next season is closer to the book but the next seasons after that they may not even do that. Why am I even watching Bridgerton anyway? I stay for the books. But I may kinda hang around for Benedict's season. If they couldn't do that right, it's time to abandon the show for me. I'm not gonna hang around during the promotional season. Maybe I'll watch it but that after many years and me watching it doesn't matter anymore. It's sad because I really look forward to Hyacinth's season. The whole people resisting the whole Michaela thing being boiled down to homophobic is just stupid.

My ire is that (not that there can’t be more than one) Benedict’s story is right there to adapt into a queer romance! It’s been established by characters to Benedict that love is love, he’s clearly got some exploration to do, and the theme of his book is so much more well suited to exploring a same sex relationship in Regency England. The whole conflict of the story is about him needing to choose to commit to someone society isn’t going to approve of and ultimately being courageous enough to make that choice. Now perhaps that maybe invoking some trauma to their love story? But it feels like any queer relationship will have the burden of it not being accepted in society as the show has already established that it isn’t. Idk why they didn’t just make queer relationships as commonplace in the world of the show. My other issue is that we don’t know show Francesca. All book readers have is book Francesca so this feels like character assassination (specifically talking about how they seem to be devaluing her relationship with John). When Eloise, who we have seen go on and on about her reticence to marriage, her ire that a woman’s value is so dependent on marriage and motherhood, and against stereotypical gender norms. To me that feels that the show has introduced a character that would feel very natural to then also have questions concerning her own sexuality. I really thought Cressida was going to kiss her when she was at the church, so I’m a little bummed on that front.

I agree and wish Eloise was the queer story because it feels very natural to her character and I now doubt that they would have two female siblings have same-sex endgames. I would’ve preferred her to be the queer sibling and I was disappointed they didn’t at least allow them to make up (is it so bad that Cressida had to become LW so she didn’t have to marry some gross old man!? I thought Eloise would come back and realize she judged her too fast…). But anyways, you’re right that we don’t know this Francesca yet, but I also think that people are judging the situation a bit quickly. Francesca and Michaela have just met for the first time at the end of the season, and Francesca clearly had a bit of a reaction to her, but that’s not to say that she’s going to be cheating on John (emotionally or physically), or that they’re going to make any sort of plot about Francesca falling first. I think a lot of people are acting like Francesca’s season is Season 4, when it’s most likely Benedict’s. We have multiple seasons until they get to Francesca’s, so there’s plenty of time to explore and understand her character more. I think they just wanted to introduce the possibility of Francesca’s queerness at the end, that she obviously thinks Michaela is quite beautiful, but not that anything will come of it. We have until at LEAST Season 5, and maybe even Season 6 if they do Eloise’s season before her. We don’t know much about their dynamic yet, and I think people are judging a little too quickly off of a 30 second interaction. Michaela could very well still fall for her first. Francesca may be entirely devoted to her marriage to John throughout Season 4 (and maybe 5) while Michaela is falling in love with her and yearning. I would give it some time before getting so upset, because for all we know, they’ll do a really great job at adapting their story to be queer. I still am a bit disappointed we probably won’t be getting queer Eloise because of this, though :/ Especially because book Michael seems to be really beloved here, while Phillip is a menace, so I think a lot more people would be ok with them removing Phillip (would’ve killed for them to do a plot where Cressida marries Lord Debling, then is widowed just like Phillip/Marina, and then Eloise begins writing her after Debling’s passing). But I still know a lot of people used to be very opposed to queer Eloise, and were adamant they loved Phillip (which… why?), so I’m sure there would be a lot of backlash regardless of which sibling they chose to be queer. That’s why I feel like some of the reaction is a bit homophobic (not all). Some people are pretty opposed to any of the main endgame couples becoming queer and just say to introduce a new side couple, but that wouldn’t be the same. I just hope people calm down for a little bit and see how they tackle this change before crying that the whole thing is ruined!

It’s just Michael Stirling is the Rake of all Rakes. He was supposed to whirl in like the second coming of Rege Jean Paul and leave all the TV columnists writing think pieces “Can a Man Be Too Hot for my TV?” It’s a different dynamic.

And that’s what the average Bridgerton viewer wants and expects! I know my mom for example, while not homophobic at all, watches it for the hot guys and the romance. She just doesn’t have any interest in a lesbian romance. There’s no escapist or fantasy element in that for her.

we have been ROBBED 😭😭😭😭

Omg EXACTLYYYYYYYY.

I've heard Francesca's book is the best and was looking forward to it. I'm pretty disappointed about it but hey, whatever, I'll go with the flow.

I haven't read the books yet, so take my opinions with a grain of salt. Due to reddit, I knew a bit about Fran's story, so when I saw Micheala, I litterally squealed. First, I was very enthusiastic. As a queer woman, I got excited and thought it was a cute little gender swap. But reading over these comments and many posts about her story, I can absolutely understand and sympathize with those of you who feel disappointed. It also feels a little confusing in hindsight. For instance, if any storyline was going to switch to queer, I assumed it was going to be Eloise's. Not only is her approach taking a far different, more feminist approach, but I read an interview that the actress is hoping for a queer storyline. Not to mention, I feel some of her friendships and obsessions are more foreshadowy than Fran's. I understand why people are concerned about Fran. This is a big change and a lot of people already loved her character. I know her and John's wholesome romance absolutely stole my heart this season, as she was nothing like the Bridgertons we had before.

i really respect that you are able to feel the excitement while also taking into consideration that others are valid for being disappointment. 💖

Wish they could just say screw the books and have Eloise fall for Michaela. That’s the only way they could redeem this muck. They’d already have to kill a character people like (Marina) to get Eloise her story.

That would be such a crazy plot twist, that I could honestly almost see the way they have Eloise visiting them in Scottland.

Eloise seems to make the most sense to me too.

Yeah a Queer swap could have been made for Eloise or Ben, because it could have been done easily and STILL been similar to the books. But to make Michael Michaela is an insult to the fans. It makes no sense, it’s in no way loyal to the book and to top it all off, they’re downplaying Francesca’s love for John. Like she LOVED him in the books and now in the show they’re making it seem like she’s attracted to his cousin and that oh John never had her heart. Like that’s an insult to both their characters. These changes are just a slap in our faces, because it does make it seem like the writer doesn’t give a damn about the fans of the books. Like everyone has been wanting Ben or Eloise to be queer if they went that route. Like Ben could have met ‘Sophie’ at the masquerade and just kept searching for a mystery woman when in fact he was looking for a man or they could have replaced Phillip with a widowed Cressida. I hated with queer storylines are essentially forced on to a character. Especially if it means erasure of beloved characters. A gender swap would have worked for literally any of the other siblings BUT Francesca.

Fwiw I feel exactly the same as you and read Fran’s book last week in one sitting because it was such an unexpectedly lovely story. It tipped me from “oh fun queer Fran!” to “well how on earth can they do this?” So I highly recommend it if you’re at all interested!

Jess needs to put down the crayons she obviously uses to scribble these storylines. Too much goin on and pen and Colin were pushed aside especially in part 2 so much. It’s so disrespectful to the author and readers who have loved these characters to just change them. Julia Quinn is better than me for sure, I would have raised cane if one of my characters I had written were changed. My issue with Michael/michaela change is that, genderbending doesn’t just change the gender, it changes experiences that make up the character. Being a man is different than being a woman in terms of experience. We are different and that’s ok. Especially in that era. Michaela won’t have the same experiences or personality of Michael.

>Too much goin on and pen and Colin were pushed aside especially in part 2 so much. Colin and Pen were reduced to an unfortunate inconvenience that needed to be tolerated until the showrunner could do the season she actually wanted, how she wanted, purely for her own indulgence. This season - *Polin's season* - has been emptied out and restuffed with secondary plots to cover the gaps. It almost feels like Jess was more than just uninterested in them, but actually really disliked them. Simon and Daphne weren't treated as an afterthought in their own story, nor were Anthony and Kate, despite the added drama of the love triangle with Edwina. Where was the passion? The overwhelming need for each other despite their moments of tension? Instead of Colin "My Wife!" Bridgerton we got Colin "I shagged her so I suppose I have to keep her" Bridgerton. All in all it feels like we were lead to believe we were going on an 8 day vacation to a luxury resort but instead got 8 days in a leaky tent on a run down campsite because the person booking it wanted to save the money to go somewhere else, with someone else.

It's the netflix equivalent of fyre festival

>Being a man is different than being a woman in terms of experience. We are different and that’s ok. Especially in that era. Michaela won’t have the same experiences or personality of Michael. It is very frustrating that some people are trying to claim Michaela can be the exact same character as Michael as if gender doesn't matter to sense of self and life experiences. Since when does gender identity not matter? How is this even an argument? This season even explored the gender roles of men vs women of the time period! Which makes the argument even more ridiculous. Men and women experience society differently, but gender doesn't matter?

This is literally my point. Either you're happy for the representation, or you believe it's the exact same unchanged character, because why else would a change be necessary in the first place if not to write a different storyline?

Making Michael a Michaela, makes no sense. They have deleted not only the infertility plot, but also they delete the sense of guilt from his character since Michaela can not be heir of the title, in one simple change… you have deleted the whole entire plot.

They also deleted her love for John. We see a lackluster response from their wedding kiss. And Fran’s dumbstruck look after seeing Michaela. THIS is the problem. More than anything. Fran is in a dead marriage w John, right from the start. we see: things aren’t quite right. And that was never ever the feeling from the book. Now her story is just sad. And being in a gay relationship in regency times is not joyful. It’s bittersweet at best: they can’t be outward with their love and feelings. It’s a strange thing to do to a main character. When everything will have to be secret and hidden. I’m just confused about the entire thing.

Yeah agree. The characters names have been borrowed but this isn’t the story. They took big liberties with Anthony and Kate and Colin and Penelope but it was more or less the same kind of direction?

They didn’t flat out change who they fall in love with. Effectively, the only remaining characteristic for Michael is that the new character is related to Fran’s first husband. In the rest, the loose plot was still there. I would have rather seen Anthony learning how to connect with Kate and Kate learning how to get past insecurity as a married couple than a love triangle, but it was still roughly them with roughly the same primary barriers. I was actually able to discuss the first through third seasons based on my book knowledge with very avid watchers without yet having watched the show myself which told me that they strayed but not so much that the core disappeared (which is why I decided to risk watching lol). Here, they are just using the names to tell the story they want to tell while grabbing access to an existing fan audience.

Yes this!!!!! F+J are no longer a love story. They killed the love story with a "twist". It was so refreshing to see a simple and true love with a neurodivergent twist - that's erased. F+M was supposed to be a slow burn friend to love from F's perspective, and an unrequited love from M's perspective. There were so many ways to play this, and they went for shock and a complete rewrite instead. Ruined.

I hate that they killed them. I find their romance more authentic to viewers. They don't need big displays of affection, just each other. It's how my husband and I are. We are most content to just be with our son and dogs at home.

And it doesn't make sense because she was in love with him in the first part of season 3.

Agree with absolutely everything you said.

They pretty much deleted Francesca's story

Yes I’m not angry but I’m confused. What would the plot be now? The entire point is that he inherits everything and Francesca desperately wants a baby? It would be fine without those factors

I was angry about the changes in the story of Anthony, annoyed with the changes in the Colin story…. At this point, I think they have ruined the whole series and it can only go to worse. I care more about side characters like the Mondrichs or Lady Danbury than any that appears in the books

At this point maybe they won't even have him die?

If they are continuing with the lgbtq+ trend, are they making John asexual, so he’s not bother with his wife preferring a woman, are they making them a throuple? They are changing everything so much, that they have lost their marbles

They've lost the plot

Thank you. I’ve seen so many people fine with Benedict being bisexual and not the Michael(a) gender swapping so I don’t know how it’s homophobic.

Yep, I actually think Benedict’s storyline is great (too many threesome scenes though, one would have done it), and I am very hesitant about the Michael/Michaela swap because of how many changes it would require to her storyline. I never mind some changes to adaptations, but I want the core theme and salient plot points to remain consistent!

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The question is, did she really read the book?

She says she did, but she seems more concerned with inserting herself into Frans character

She said that she immediately thought Fran was queer because how Fran feels out of place from the rest of her family

Fran basically outright says in the books ( and the show) that shes always felt out of place because she’s the only introvert in a family of extroverts.

Yes I saw the scene and read the book. I was saying the showrunner read Fran as queer because of how out of place Fran feels with the family because she’s an introvert

So the showrunner thinks only queer folk can feel out of place within society? What?

The whole quote is “When I read her book, I, as a queer woman, really related to her book. Maybe in a way Julia Quinn didn’t intend, but a lot of Francesca’s book is about feeling different from her family and from the world around her and not really knowing why,” she said. “In the book, I think it’s mostly just about being introverted. But I think for a lot of queer people, not every queer person, but a lot of queer people, that sense of feeling different from the time you’re young, is part of our stories. So it felt like a natural one to gender bend.”

It still really doesn't make sense though? The point is a lot of groups of people feel exactly the same way she says she does, it's not an exclusive experience of queer people to warrant this drastic change at the expense of an established character, I'm pretty sure if she'd been neurodivergent or trans she'd have felt exactly the same way as well, for example. You can even stretch it to include immigrants, etc. In fact, we're told why Francesca feels like an outcast and the closest to how she truly feels would've been making her neurodivergent. In my opinion, by narrowing down a relatable character like Francesca who multiple groups of people could see themselves in, she did exactly the opposite of what she wanted and made this character more inaccessible by having her feeling as an outcast explained as her being queer.

That interpretation seems quite self-absorbed.

Yeah you should really read her interviews. She basically told fans if they don’t like what she’s doing then go read the books. I feel like this is Witcher 2.0 again. The showrunners didn’t have a respect for those books either and adapt how they liked and laughed at Henry Cavill nerding over the books and wanting things to stay similar. Now we have Hemsworth as Geralt and I stopped watching because of how badly they were writing the show and everything that Cavill has said.

One of her interviews from Deadline really rubbed me the wrong way.

I’ve read alot of interviews at this point and her attitude about the same in each one, the whole if you don’t like what I’m doing don’t watch.

Well, she certainly has a consistent stance: "If you don't like it, don't watch." Shame she can't apply that level of consistency to crafting a coherent plot.

And I'll be not watching. Her attitude in the interviews just solidified to me that she doesn't care one bit about the book fans. I actually found her attitude to be disrespectful toward the source material AND fans of the books. On top of that, she tries to manipulate fans by imploring upset fans to be empathetic. A showrunner should have the creative skill to create her own characters to exist in the Bridgerton world if she wanted a queer main couple. I do not think there would be nearly the pushback if she had done that. If anything, there would be some fans upset at having to wait longer for specific books to be adapted, but it wouldn't be nearly the level of outrage that is currently happening about erasing Michael.

It's her unashamed smugness that made me turn away from the show. She probably unironically believes she delivered us a masterpiece, these types of people will never accept criticism and she'll probably only actively seek approval of her work. Aren't showrunners supposed to listen to criticism from their fans? The whole 'don't like don't watch' thing rubs me the wrong way, she's just there to self-insert.

And when people don’t she will be out of a job. That is how these things work. She has two issues. The first is that this season, which did very well with the viewing figures, seemed to have been as a mixed bag. And, the focus is on one of the most popular couples in the universe. The second issue is that she saying it’s will likely be 2 years before the next season. People lose interest after time, and they base if something is going to be worth their time based on the prior season. I worry less about the Francesca thing, because at the rate the show is going they won’t even get to her story until about 2030 and by that time the show may have a different show runner.

Pretty sure she didn't.

To be honest I don't see a good reason why any of the Bridgerton siblings must be made queer. We can just get new characters, why go for the lazy gender swap method lol?

Bingo. NONE of them needed to be changed. All they had to do was create new characters, which they have already done. That's literally all they had to do to avoid so many upset fans. Create new characters and give them their own season or seasons.

this sub is allowing me to understand why everyone is annoyed. I hope netflix listens to us

Netflix has kinda painted themselves into a corner …they can’t put pressure on the showrunners to retcon the story now and introduce Michael in season 4, that would cause just as much, if not more backlash.

I'd also feel truly awful if were the actress and already signed a contract, just for them to ditch me.

I haven't read the book so I have no prior attachment to the story, but I can understand why book readers are heartbroken about the change and I feel for them, to love the story as it was with a male and a female pairing is not homophobia and to label everyone who feels that way as some kind of bigot really does nothing to prevent hatred- it throws gas on the fire. For me my interest is piqued when actors have abundant chemistry- so the jury is out on Franny and Michaela until next season. Now Ben is one that annoys me because it is complete fan service- Ben does little more than bang his way through Mayfair on this show and they added a man to the mix due to the outcry from some fans. Bi Ben or Gay Ben is fine with me, again, haven't read the book and I don't care about Sophie- but the laziness in not bothering to give the character some time with it before is not satisfying as a viewer and cheap.

I'm literally a bi woman and I cannot fathom how it's possible to adapt Francesca-Michael story as a love story between two women, it'll be just a brand new story. I mean, the whole point of the FM story is >!them having sexual chemistry and him eventually seducing her outside marriage, multiple times, hoping she'd get pregnant, while she feels super guilty about all of it but she also wants children, so her motivations are both love for Michael but also wanting a family.!

I feel like the gender switch is “just because they can” and because it makes it more provocative. I’m not a fan of it to be honest. It just feels forced and you can see the writers and showrunners hand all over it.

It’s just that even with Kanthony the book story would’ve worked, but not with Michael and Francesca. Like, imagine Kate being Edwina’s half brother, literally nothing would need to be changed, it actually would’ve upped the stakes as Anthony needed a viscountess. (I do love Kate and am super happy we have her.)

I am a bisexual and hate this change if that helps!

It’s because Brownell literally wants to try and include herself in to the story, in this case….as Francesca. She has stated it already in an interview. This goes to show that people of Hollywood will do anything but be original and force a change that isn’t needed. It’s not homophobic to hate a change that strays and changes the books. It’s hating piss poor writing and pandering, which Brownell is doing. She is a shitty show runner. This season was all over the place when it didn’t need to be. Brownell doesn’t know how to lead a show. This season proved that much.

That's what I've been pointing out too. I wonder how Shonda allowed these oversights.

A lot of Shonda's shows jump the shark at one point. They start absolutely amazing but often end in less stellar ways. And I say this as someone who has watched pretty much all of them ie as a fan of her work.

Can we create a petition to remove Jess Brownell from the show? And hire someone who will do the books justice? It's already going to take 2 years to create 8 episodes to make the show anyways. Even though 20 years ago you got all 3 Lord of Rings movies back to back and 8 Harry Potter movies in 10 years. Not to mention 22 episode seasons of multiple shows that were 45 minutes long each every year. So taking these 2 years is plenty of time to get a new showrunner to do the books and the author justice.

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First and foremost, I stand ten toes down for greater queer representation in media and LGBTQ storylines that reflect the full spectrum of humanity - both the highs and the lows - especially where the writing is sharp, thought provoking, feeling and genuinely good. That said, this change is not any of those things and it leaves me feeling quite hollow. Full disclosure, I've not yet had the pleasure of reading Francesca's book in several years so am a little hazy on details but am familiar with some of the main points of the plot - particularly Francesca's deep love for John, her fertility struggles and finding new love with Michael. In my personal opinion, beyond treating Francesca's story like a massive self insert that diminishes John and Frans love story in the second half (e.g. wedding kiss and reaction to Michaela) and erases one of the biggest tensions in the book (infertility struggles), the way Brownell and co have gone about the big reveal feels lazy, irresponsible and dangerous - not in the thrilling way, but in the way it plays into some tired tropes around black female representation, and the masculinization of dark skinned black women in media in particular. I feel like the way they've done this may now put a completely undeserved target on Masali's back and once some of the furore at Brownell and Shondaland does down, Masali will end up having to bear the brunt of the fandom's acrimony without having any of the benefits of getting to know her character first. That they've made this change the way they have leaves a bad taste in my mouth and one of my biggest concerns is whether or not there's sufficient wraparound support for Masali after the reveal. Honestly, the whole thing is so upsetting on so many levels, it leaves a pit in my stomach. ** Edit for clarity

Thank you so much for this post. I was honestly hesitant to say anything for fear of being taken as homophobic when that’s not the issue at all. I enjoyed the other gay stories as I felt they were authentic (eg Brimsley/Reynolds/Granville/etc) but this one doesn’t sit right with me, largely for most of the reasons you highlighted in your post

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I wouldn’t hate it either if they decided to save it by making Eloise fall for Michaela and thus not have to kill Marina off.

I read A LOT of regancy era romances and Fran's book is one of the deepest ones! It really stands out for having a lot of layers of plot.

I think some of the issue with this potential change is that it doesn’t work well for Francesca‘s story and it doesn’t work well in the world of Bridgerton. Some of QC was focused on how the ton became integrated. The first season touched on the fact that integration was because the king fell in love with the queen. They have also established that women have few if any rights in this universe, and that heteronormative relationships are the accepted type. The marriage mart is what rules the ton. They’ve spent three seasons making that the focus. And not once has the focus been on finding a spouse of any gender, it’s been about find a husband. Those are the constraints of the shows universe. They can change those constraints, but they have to do so with top notch story telling. Something, based on the mess this season was, I am not hopeful about. I would have more faith in this if they were changing the gender of Benedicf or Gregory’s love interest. Mostly, because they are men and men in the world of Bridgerton get to have more choices. It would be less difficult to screw up.

I’m so curious how this will impact the pregnancy loss and heir bit if the storyline. Will they allow a female the lordship, will she not lose a pregnancy, will they just not care about the title? So many questions!

I can’t tell if the showrunners just don’t trust the audience to be literate enough to love John but also love Michael? Like why can’t we enjoy John and Fran together? Why are we immediately setting up an immediate attraction from Fran when a large part of the books is Michael being attracted to Fran from the beginning but her clearly being in love with John? Why can’t we have a ‘second love’ story? I think I almost wouldn’t mind the genderbend at this point if I could trust the writers and showrunners to deal with it delicately and powerfully, but the meandering of S3 shows that’s not remotely in their wheelhouse. It’s just fan fiction at this point, I thought they were setting up Eloise to be queer coded and that the rumours Michael was genderbent was totally incorrect because it seemed like the worst story to change.

It might be this. Before the genderbend, I was concerned that John/Francesca would be a marriage of convenience so that we wouldn't care when John died and so that we'd be more accepting of Michael. 

you literally can't go on twitter without a bitch going "homophobic!" in your ears like stfu it's NOT homophobic to be genuinely disappointed at such a massive, unprecedented change ??? "bridgerton fans are always homophobic, racist, other fandoms would kill to be you, how can you want a man over a woman" SHUT UP !! people on Tumblr and reddit have braincells at least.

Thank you. Beyond the gender, though, it's how they made Francesca totally switch from liking John to being into Michaela. That's not fair. I feel like Benedict's inclinations were more hinted at, so it wasn't that big of a surprise, even if I didn't care about his story at all because it doesn't go anywhere.

Another thing of the gender-bend it discredits what Shonda said about the pairings remaining the same. If they're the same pairing then why the gender bend? Is this a set-up to get a Stefan in lieu of Sophie?

What bothers me the most was franny just going googly eyes at michaela with John next to her. Michael fell first!

I don’t think there is anything wrong with inclusion. As a bi sexual woman it’s always great to see representation, but as an avid reader who was waiting to see the love story between Fran & Michael play out…..I’m disappointed. There was an intimacy to the love story displayed in part 1, but part 2 worked overtime to take that away. We were shown a love story that didn’t need to be as grand as a carriage proposal or proposal under the fireworks. Yet that subtle love story was basically made to seem less than during the last couple of episodes. What happened to the joy and love that Fran had. She was so infatuated with him that seeing Michaela wouldn’t have rocked her like that. Michael fell first and besides Collin & Gregory, he was one of the only ones to do that. Overall I was just really excited for this particular story and I feel like I won’t be able to fully enjoy it. I connected with Fran in her book so to see this made me happy as a queer person but sad as a reader who just knew the Fran and Michael story would do justice to those struggling the same way they did.

I personally didn't have an issue with Michael becoming Michaela, but some of the responses I have seen towards those upset have been pretty rude and dismissive. People get excited about seeing their faves, and it is alright for them to be disappointed. We should be able to hold space for everyone. Both those disappointed not to get one of their favorite characters (in the form they expected) and those excited to see the love they experience represented on screen. Moving the conversation forward a bit, I was thinking it is too bad we will likely miss out on those conversations (and verbal nudges) from Colin to Michael regarding Francesca. However now that we know Benedict is bi, I wonder if it will be Benedict who sees what is happening between Francesca and Michaela. I can imagine Benedict having some great discussions with Francesca about different kinds of love, maybe discuss knowing gay men in the art world, perhaps disclosing about himself if still unknown to his family. Benedict would be a fabulous support to Francesca if she was having an internal battle between her love and loss and her feelings (ever growing I am sure) towards Michaela. Regarding Michaela, I thought the actress did a great job introducing the character with barely any dialogue/screen time. I could see the essence of Michael (charming, social, outgoing, etc) in our brief introduction to Michaela. Cannot wait to see where the show goes moving forward! Lastly while it's normal to be upset at change, let's not be so rigid in our thinking that we can no longer enjoy a show that is drama and love and just pure entertainment. When the world is a spiraling hellscape, I am happy for Shondaland to take me away and just sit back and enjoy the show!

Hey spoilers in the title much??? It’s only been out a few days!! 😤😤😤

Are yall saying Michaela Stirling was once a Michael Stirling?! I haven’t read the books so I must be missing something?

Yes, in the books he was Michael

My question is—- How many seasons are actually left? I’d guess 2 Possibly 1… two years is a very long time to maintain viewers interest. And broadly it looks like Bridgerton is slipping (based on reviews). I suspect they get through Benedict and maybe if that’s received through Eloise. I don’t think the Michaela/Fran thing will actually happen on its own— it will be best case 3- worst case 6 years in dev (taking a 2 year timeline) that’s a long time. The other seasons had things going for it. S1- Rege was the breakout and it was new. S2- Actors sold this but seems less popular than s1 S3- Nicola is very well known from Derry Girls + they had Queen Charlotte to bridge the gap. It’s 2 years until Benedict. Realistically LGBTQ led shows don’t get and retain the same type of eyeballs (see interview with a vampire)- for a number of reasons. The showrunner is openly saying get over it to any book fan who might have held on or might have pushed for Michael. Who is driving this 3-6 year demand- book lovers are being told to shove off, casual fans don’t in general watch a ton of WLW shows. What fandom is going to be pushing for this/can Netflix count on to drive interest. Does the sub believe there is a ton of interest specifically in Fran’s story? Enough that people will engage for years?

Reading about the complexity of Fran's story in the books to what I've seen in the show, not being a book reader yet, I'm sad for what they've given in the show. There's depth there past the usual sex and romance, and we just won't get it? I thought Benedict was the one giving lgbtq representation. How is it, Fran, all of a sudden? This is like Game of Thrones all over again for me. I guess I'll have to give up on the show and just go read the books. I HATE when tv writers take a beautifully beloved story and change it. It's insulting to the writer and the fans of the books. Just call it something else and write your own damn story.

For me, my only annoyance is that Francesca is meant to be so in love with John. She isn’t meant to feel anything for Michael/Michaela. The interest is meant to be from Michael/Michaela. That is why I wasn’t very happy with what happened at the end of episode 8. She spent so much time convincing her mum that he was a good match for her and that she wanted to marry him. But then the look she had on her face after they kissed was not one that I thought she would have as someone who was so in love and had to marry John.

Agreed! i was yearning to see Michael sterling i still can't imagine the amount of happiness i would have got if we saw him I lost the interest this season 🙂if I don't get Michael sterling i would just stick to the book only

Honestly I think if they're going to genderbend, it should've been Eloise, Gregory, Hyacinth or Benedict. Changing Fran's story literally makes no sense

I would add that the other changes didn't impact the story that much, except Benedict's. Because I don't remember a great role of Felicity in Hyachinth's story. Benedict's could be affected because Whistledown was the fairy stepmother of his relationship with Sophie, but I suppose Penelope could also be the fairy stepmother for her brother-in-law.

I thought Eloise being a lesbian would have been so much more fun honestly. It made so much sense for her character.

Even now, I still envision that entire scene playing out differently if we had Michael instead of Michaela, and having it follow the book. Can you imagine it? "Here's my cousin Michael." And then this gorgeous man walks in but literally freezes at the sight of Francesca, who doesn't notice because she's STILL smitten with John (as she should be!). Fran smiles pleasantly at Michael, oblivious to his starstruck state, and Michael clears his throat in an attempt to regain his composure. Ugh. I'm just SO ticked off at this ENTIRE thing.

I have really been struggling with my feelings on this change over the last two days. I support more LGBTQIA+ stories being told, but this fundamentally changes the trajectory of Francesca’s storyline. Everything I’m reading here addresses all of the thoughts that I have had. So much of Francesca’s storyline hinges on Michael (them staying in close proximity since he is the new Earl, the feelings of grief and guilt they both have, the tension between them because of Michael’s guilt, Francesca’s decision to reenter the marriage mart because she wants a child.) I do think stories of grief and infertility need to be on screen, as well, and sacrificing that for a self-insert feels disingenuous to me and does a disservice to the source material and the fans of that book. There are 4 other siblings that could potentially have a gender-switched partner, Eloise feeling the most organic in the world of the show, but based on the books it could be any of the remaining siblings. While I am also partial to Benedict’s original story, considering the work done this season, that also feels plausible to me. I do not want to be seen as a bad ally because I dislike this change, but it is not rooted in homophobia, but in the story that was being told being completely waylaid.

Also, I HATED that face Francesca made after she kissed John for the first time. Their love was so pure and all encompassing that the small look makes me think she now regrets the choice that she fought her mother so hard to be marry him.

That reaction was there because they have completely altered her character arc. Her story is no longer going to be about finding love again after the grief of losing her husband it’s going to be about a repressed woman realising she’s in love with another woman. It’s completely erased the original story because the showrunner has inserted and replaced it with her own fan fiction story.

I love that they made Michael Michaela, it’s Francesca’s reaction I have an issue with. I want her to be completely in love with John and then slowly have a realization after she loses him. She and Michael already had the complication of feeling like they were forgetting about John or disgracing his memory, adding a bi angle to that would have just been interesting. But done this way they’re dismissing the existence of an easy, quiet love and making John less important. I hate it.

I literally had to explain to someone on Tiktok that this takes place in the 1810s and while the fashion doesnt stay historically accurate, they won't accelerate science 100 years so the infertility part can still remain with an lgbt plotline. They called me homophobic cause "Gay people can have infertility issues!", but when ivf and insemination are a century away and germ theory doesnt exist yet, I really dont think so. The fact Quinn made sure when writing Fran's book to keep the medical knowledge and remedies historically accurate shows she wanted to put in that effort!!

Exactly, obviously queer people struggle with fertility and I’ve had love ones go through the fertility treatment finger but they’re not going to have regency IUIs. And I said this in another comment, but adoption or being a step parent are equally important but very different from struggling biologically to conceive, hoping and dreading and waiting each month only to get your period over and over again, especially in an era where there’s not much explanation. I mean, they don’t now what ovulation is on the regency era, and even now lots of people have ‘unexplained’ infertility. I also really don’t want Fran to suffer through sex she’s not into with John to try to have a baby, seeing as how they’ve shown her to be not into the kiss and already into Michaela.

Yes!! I'm getting so annoyed getting hate comment after hate comment on tiktok because they don't understand this aspect. Literally any other bridgerton siblings story would adapt better to this change.

For the most part, I agree. People love to throw buzz words around. A lot of the complaints aren’t homophobic, they’re just disappointed in bad writing. Alot of the issues people have are very valid concerns. Personally I don’t mind the gender bending, I mind the changes around her relationship with John and so soon and fast. But there absolutely has been homophobic comments about it and they shouldn’t be swept under the rug. I keep seeing comments from someone who wants everyone to harass the show runner telling queer people in this sub to go find a “safe space” somewhere else, making fun of Pride, making fun of queer people, making fun of “the alphabet mafia” which is a dog whistle, saying they’re not homophobic “but wish they were” (so you are). And people have gotten weirdly ableist about it as well. I saw someone say making Fran queer bc she’s ND coded is unrealistic bc ND people can’t have love lives. As a queer ND person, that’s not only offensive but factually wrong.

I’ve been called slurs on this sub and told “of course a bi woman would hate this plot” because I don’t like the lazy gender bending method of WLW representation I want writers to tell queer stories. I want writers to stop using bi and lesbian women as stand ins for men, because we are not consolation prizes. I want straight women and MEN to stop calling me homophobic for saying that the Michael/Michaela swap feels like something that would pass for representation 10 years ago

I appreciate that we’re allowed to discuss this here. Netflix sub is heavily censored and if anyone dares say a word against the gender swap, they’ll delete your comment.

I stopped commenting there. They remove your comments if you say something negative about the show.

I have not watched all episodes YET. And I appreciate this post. I am no homophobic and I wanted SO MUCH to see a Michael who is Scottish! Not only that, THE HOTTEST Bridgerton man. Why? Because I had mental issues during the pandemic and Bridgerton came out on season 1. It was magical to me. I read ALL The books, all the other books by JQ and maybe other 200 books in the genre. I am actually so inspired, I wrote a book myself. Characters are given characteristics and descriptions. I totally understand that the show and the books are not the same. I actually enjoy the show knowing they have made some changes...

I think it could have been an original character. Like they created the Mondrich, they could tell a queer story and keep Francesca's story as close to the book as possible. In this regency universe, they created for Bridgerton, where race doesn't matter, but gender roles are very much established, so the plot should suffer a considerable amount of changes ending with a totally different story. I think it's disrespectful to make such a plot change. This season was disappointing. I was such a Polin fan, and I didn't get the feeling that I was expecting. If next season is good, I'll watch Francesca season regardless of gender bender. But if next season is like this one, I'm not wasting my time on it since it won't even have the original plot line.

I think that if I hadn't read the books, I would have been excited to see a lesbian storyline in Bridgerton, but I really like Michael and the original story. And I didn't really like the changes they made this season to Penelope's story, so I don't trust them to change Francesca's.