Bridgerton fans are divided over a huge twist in the hit Netflix show.
The steamy period drama has just aired the second part of its hotly-anticipated third season. But showrunners decided to ditch the source material and swap the gender of a character, seemingly to pursue a queer romance.
In series three, Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) ties the knot with John Stirling (Victor Alli). But she doesn’t seem fully convinced as she admits she needs to get to “know herself better”.
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In the finale, Francesca meets John’s cousin Michaela and appears to fancy the newcomer from the start. She is seen stumbling over her words and can barely remember her own name when Michaela introduces herself during the brief interaction.
(Image: Netflix)
But there’s a big plot twist. In the books, it’s not Michaela but Michael who features, meaning the show has decided to swap the character’s gender, meaning a same-sex couple could be on the cards.
Some fans aren’t too pleased about the change have complained about it on social media. One viewer on Facebook wrote: ‘I’m not pleased with this. Michael and Francesca’s story is one of the best in the series. So disappointing if they go ahead with this.”
(Image: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX)
Another commented: “This is a disappointing change; her storyline was finally going to give representation to women with fertility issues, a large demographic who rarely get discussed or portrayed in the mainstream.”
A third added: “This season was so dull, I had to force myself to watch. The books are so much better anyway, I’d rather read the entire series again.”
However, others weren’t too bothered about the twist. One argued: “That’s the beauty of a TV series, it’s a adaptation! It’s not exactly like the books because Shonda Rhimes is making it how she wants. If you don’t like it don’t watch it and stick to the books.”
(Image: Netflix)
Showrunner Jess Brownell explained the change and revealed more LGBTQIA+ representation is in store on the series. She told Variety: “When we started talking about queer representation on the show, we started with a discussion that this is a show about happily-ever-afters, and that we’re not interested in queer trauma – that we really want to see queer joy.
She told Entertainment Weekly: “And if we’re going to tell a queer story, we would like to find a way for there to be a happily ever after. You’re going to see more of Michaela next season. I can’t say in what capacity, just in terms of not tipping my hand of where we’re going. But there is going to be a relationship between Michaela and Fran, as per the books.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
