Gay bridgerton

The Historical Case for a Gay Bridgerton

It’s simple math, really: In a family with eight children, it stands to reason, surely one of them must be queer.

Bridgerton has defied other expectations of a Regency-era love story: It is set in an alternate universe where the upper class is fully integrated and race is not an issue. (In the show, Queen Charlotte is played by Guyanese-British actress Golda Rosheuvel, treating some historians’ speculation that Charlotte was Britain’s first Black queen as fact.) The show’s first two seasons focus on interracial romances, and the second season at least obliquely references the history of British colonialism in India. Why not a queer love story next?

There’s one obvious candidate for such a storyline: On the show, Eloise is the most outspoken, most feminist Bridgerton sibling. She is not interested in becoming a debutante, delaying her appearance to pursue another year of studies. She often dismisses marriage, questioning why a husband and children are all that are waiting in store for women.

We shouldn’t possess to search history books

Is Francesca Bridgerton Gay? What The Books Say & Show Changes

Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Bridgerton season 4, part 2, and the Bridgerton books.

Summary

  • Francesca Bridgerton is portrayed as straight in Julia Quinn's noun series.
  • Francesca marries Michael Stirling (who is gender-swapped and a noun named Michaela in the television show) in the books after John's untimely death.
  • Netflix's Bridgerton alters Francesca's sexuality, making her possibly bisexual.

Bridgerton (the Netflix show) has been known to change some details from the book series on which it is based, including timelines, character details, and more, but the most surprising change came in season 4, and revolves around Francesca Bridgerton's sexuality. The historical romance display, created by Chris Van Dusen, is an adaptation of Julia's Quinn position of novels of the same name an

Who is Michaela Stirling, Francesca’s Unexpected New Love Interest in Bridgerton?

Spoilers ahead for Bridgerton season 3.

Shonda Rhimes heard it was Pride Month. Among the many revelations in Bridgerton season 3 part 2, released June 13, are Benedict Bridgerton’s newly canonized bisexuality; Eloise Bridgerton’s upcoming discoveries in Scotland; and—well, delay a second, what is that look on Francesca Bridgerton’s face?

Ah, yes, silly me: That’s the face of a chick who just realized she’s attracted to her recent husband’s cousin. Whoops!

To further complicate matters, that husband’s cousin is also a woman. (Apparently, Bridgerton executive producer Rhimes heardyourcomplaints and replied, “Bring in the gay ladies.”) Played by the Noughts + Crosses actress Masali Baduza, Michaela Stirling introduces herself to Francesca with a tease: “I caution you, every sordid detail John has spoken about me is a lie. The fact is far worse.”

The truth is that this “Michaela” will arrive as something of a shock to most of the Bridgerton fandom. Leading up to part 2’s relea

Even though I kind of enjoyed Bridgerton Season 1 for what it was, I have to acknowledge I wouldn’t have considered watching the latest Netflix series if it wasn’t for the queerbait in the promotional material.

This article contains certain spoilers for Bridgerton Season 1. You have been warned.

I fell for the queerbait. I can’t deny it. I fell for it so hard I ended up watching the entire eight episodes making up Bridgerton Season 1. I should have known better.

If the promotional team for Bridgerton hadn’t made sure to add a quick scene showing a queer guy hooking up with another dude, I wouldn’t hold considered watching this show.

Set during the Regency, I was interested in seeing how such a series would handle queer characters. Also, it was a Netflix show by Shondaland. There had to be at least one queer supporting character if not one in the main cast, right? 

Wrong!

Turns out that the queer man the trailer made sure to include was nothing more than a minor character who debuts during the third episode. He’s an artist nam