Bridgerton’s Shocking Daphne Replacement Change Would Pay Off The Original Author’s Most Important Message
This article contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 3.
Summary
- Michaela’s gender swap in Bridgerton season 3 adds LGBTQ representation, aligning with author Julia Quinn’s message of diverse happy endings.
- The show’s decision to make Francesca gay is a major moment for the Bridgerton franchise, setting up more representation and new storylines.
- While the series may not always follow the books exactly, changes like Michaela’s gender swap enhance the show’s overall impact.
In Bridgerton season 3, a major change is made to one character’s book story, but this alteration makes the period drama even more in line with the author’s overall message. Since 2020, Netflix has been adapting Julia Quinn’s romantic Bridgerton books into a live-action television series. In that time, three books and a spinoff have been brought to life, and five more stories are still left to tell. Bridgerton may not always adapt every detail from the books, but these adjustments often help make the series that much better.
While book-to-TV adaptations can often be criticized for moving too far away from their source material, Bridgerton is a unique example of change being a good thing. One of the most significant book to TV changes made to Bridgerton was the inclusion of a more diverse cast. Characters that were portrayed as white in Julia Quinn’s books were cast with actors of color. Ultimately, this made the show more representative and interesting. Since then, Bridgerton has made countless other modifications, both small and large, that have benefited the show immensely.
Related
Is Francesca Bridgerton Gay? What The Books Say & Show Changes
Netflix’s Bridgerton has made some modifications from the books in the past, but season 4 revealed a major change for Francesca’s character.
Bridgerton Season 3 Sets Up Francesca As LGBTQ+
Michael Is Now Michaela
The following section contains spoilers for Julia Quinn’s novel, When He Was Wicked.
The final episode of Bridgerton season 3 set up the beginnings of Francesca’s future love story, but one important distinction was made. Julia Quinn’s book, When He Was Wicked, follows the romance between Francesca and Michael Stirling. However, Bridgerton season 3 introduced Michael as Michaela Stirling, played by South African actress, Masali Baduza. Ultimately, this distinction is not only important for Michael’s character, but also for Francesca’s. It confirms that Francesca’s true love match will be an LGBTQ+ relationship.
Michaela’s gender swap is a massive moment for the
Bridgerton
franchise.
While Bridgerton has already included more diversity in terms of sexual orientation over the years, Francesca’s storyline is the first instance of a Bridgerton sibling’s main romance being LGBTQ. Benedict has been portrayed as being bisexual in the show, but as far as viewers know, his love story will still be with a woman. In this way, Michaela’s gender swap is a massive moment for the Bridgerton franchise. It sets up more representation and a new type of story that Bridgerton has yet to delve into yet. All in all, this is an update that almost certainly makes Bridgerton better.
Bridgerton Season 4 Can Deliver On Author Julia Quinn’s Saga Message
Quinn Wants Everyone To Have A Happy Ending
Francesca’s LGBTQ+ love story may be different from Julia Quinn’s books, but it aligns with the message the author is trying to spread. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Julia Quinn revealed that she loved Netflix’s decision to make Francesca gay. She explained, “Imagining a gay protagonist in ‘The Bridgertons’ seems like a good idea to me because the goal of the saga has always been to show that all people deserve a happy ending.” This goal will almost certainly be fulfilled in the coming seasons of Bridgerton due to this Francesca change.
|
Every Bridgerton Book In Order |
Which Bridgerton It Follows |
|---|---|
|
The Duke and I |
Daphne |
|
The Viscount Who Loved Me |
Anthony |
|
An Offer From a Gentleman |
Benedict |
|
Romancing Mister Bridgerton |
Colin |
|
When He Was Wicked |
Francesca |
|
It’s In His Kiss |
Hyacinth |
|
On the Way to the Wedding |
Gregory |
|
The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After |
All |
Bridgerton
From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen, Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on the romance novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth, as they search for love during the social season and navigate life in Regency-era England.
- Cast
- Will Tilston , Rege-Jean Page , Ruth Gemmell , Luke Thompson , Isabella Cortese , Martins Imhangbe , Julie Andrews , Phoebe Dynevor , Ruby Stokes , Ruby Barker , Claudia Jessie , Adjoa Andoh , Nicola Coughlan , Golda Rosheuvel , Charithra Chandran , Ben Miller , Jonathan Bailey , Florence Hunt , Polly Walker , Shelley Conn , Joanna Bobin , Luke Newton , Simone Ashley
- Release Date
- December 25, 2020
- Seasons
- 3
- Writers
- Julia Quinn , Chris Van Dusen , Jess Brownell , Abby McDonald , Joy C. Mitchell
- Creator(s)
- Chris Van Dusen
