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Eloise and Francesca inform the latter's new husband John Stirling in the last moments of the ball in *Bridgerton* Season 3 that Eloise will be joining her in Scotland. John then says in another surprising turn of events that his cousin, newcomer Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), will be completing their traveling party.
She is immediately bubbly and quite unlike her cousin; she shockingly advises that "every sordid detail John has spoken about [her] is a lie... the truth is far worse". An amazing approach to introduce yourself to strange company and an instant recommendation that Francesca is more at the Benedict end of the Bridgerton fun scale than she is. When Michaela welcomes Francesca, she seems shocked and cannot speak. It's not indignation, though, that we find in her. More of a hint of fondness, her wide-eyed response and stuttering loss of words (handily represented in Lady Whistledown's voice-over) Still even captivation. This is a drama focused on romantic clichés and tropes (in the best of terms, I might say), and this was a clear indication that Francesca is attracted to Michaela.
Alert: SPOILERS for *Bridgerton's* works from this forward. As readers of the *Bridgerton* books will know, Francesca's marriage to John Stirling is sadly brief since the Earl of Kilmartin passes away from a brain aneurism two years later. Then Francesca marries John's cousin and heir in "When He Was Wicked," whose name strongly suggests the drastic transformation I have already discussed: Michael Stirling. *Bridgerton* seems to be preparing Michaela as Michael's direct successor, therefore altering Francesca's narrative following John's death. Either way, this will be a significant departure from *Bridgerton* season 4, which may or not depict John's death and instead entwine Francesca in a love triangle.
When Francesca and Michael kiss in the books, she gets embarrassed and runs to Scotland. Though preserving the element of guilt for Francesca as she works through her emotions, it's not difficult to envisage a road towards *Bridgerton* altering that narrative. However, it would mean that Francesca's children from the books - John and Janet might not exist even if John passes away and Francesca and Michaela get together later.
The future of *Bridgerton* has never looked so different. The ending of *Bridgerton* Season 3 not only sets up a dramatic departure from the very core of the program in its great Lady Whistledown twist, but it also teases a change to one of the central relationships with possibly major repercussions. First Daphne and then Anthony, each of the Bridgerton children the main focus of past seasons - have had quite clear endings thus far. Daphne's total departure from *Bridgerton* and how much season 3 has sidelined Anthony make that much very evident. Once they have their happy endings, the narrative remaining to tell for them loses relevance and they are vying for screen time with the newly elevated characters.
In that regard, Francesca's *Bridgerton* narrative differs. Thanks in great part to what happens to Colin in the books, she is the only Bridgerton to be married outside of her "own" season. Her last moments in *Bridgerton* season 3 also suggest greatly of what is to come - and how much of a drastic break from the books it would be -.
*Bridgerton* writer Julia Quinn spoke favorably when asked in an interview with Cosmopolitan about the possibility of Netflix identifying one of the Bridgerton children LGBTQ. "I enjoy it." Though secondary, there is a gay character named Henry Granville. If there could be a protagonist, that would be fantastic. People read Romance novels because they precisely reflect the kind of feelings you have when reading them; this is one of the things the series has done wonderfully well. They represent a world in which everyone has the right to be happy, hence they make you feel good mostly. Being more inclusive, casting without racial bias, all of it adds to that sensation. The Shondaland crew deserves thanks for showing me what I could achieve with my books. Though the team of the series is large, I am a single individual. Considering a gay protagonist for "The Bridgertons" makes sense since the story's aim has always been to demonstrate that everyone deserves a happy ending.
Benedict's sexuality clearly fits that, but having Francesca be LGBTQ would go farther, and the fundamental principle that "anyone has the right to be happy" is a particularly healthy one to crown *Bridgerton's* activism spirit.
Based on the romantic books of the same name by writer Julia Quinn, Netflix's *Bridgerton* is Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen. Following the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth as they negotiate life in Regency-era England and hunt love throughout the social season,
*Bridgerton* is a popular show drawing a sizable audience. Not surprisingly, then, the show has been given a fourth season's renewal. Fans will be keen to watch how the narrative develops for their preferred characters as the new season promises more drama and Romance to the screen.