‘Bridgerton’ Season 5’s Main Couple Choice Has Some Fans Cheering, While Others Are Fuming
Bridgerton Season 5 has its leading ladies!
The next season of the hit Netflix series will focus on Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). It’s the first time that the romantic period drama will have a LGBTQ+ couple as the leads.
The upcoming installment of Bridgerton will loosely follow Julia Quinn’s book When He Was Wicked, but with some major changes. The story, which follows Francesca as she embarks on her first relationship after the death of her first husband, John, swaps out her original male love interest, Michael Stirling, for a woman.
Loyal Bridgerton fans had a mixed response to the season 5 couple news. Many were thrilled to see the introverted Francesca step into the leading lady role, while others celebrated the decision to highlight a queer love story. But some viewers are disappointed that Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) – who has been a major character since season 1 – was passed over. Others aren’t happy about changes to Francesca’s original story in the books.
Many ‘Bridgerton’ fans can’t wait to see Francesca and Michaela’s story in season 5
The news that Francesca will take center stage in Bridgerton Season 5 isn’t a huge surprise. John’s sudden death was a major plot point in season 4. As book readers know, that tragic event sends Francesca deep into mourning. Season 5 will pick up two years later, as Francesca begins to open her heart to John’s cousin, Michaela.
“It feels groundbreaking. Obviously, there are a lot of great shows that have depicted queer love. We’re not the first by any means,” showrunner Jess Brownell told Tudum. “But to make an entire Bridgerton season about a sapphic relationship feels huge.”
“[Queer love stories] have traditionally been excluded from things like period dramas — and queer people did exist, have always existed, and will always exist,” Dodd said.
Many fans agreed.
“Two gorgeous and talented queens! Can’t wait to see their love story unfold,” one person commented on the official Bridgerton Instagram.
“I am so excited for this story – cannot wait to see Hannah and Masali shine,” another wrote.
Some ‘Bridgerton’ viewers want ‘justice’ for Eloise
Not all Bridgerton viewers agreed that Francesca’ was the right Bridgerton sibling to focus on in season 5. Some argued that an Eloise-centric season should have come first, especially considering that Francesca’s romance with John has already received significant screen time.
“This is so disappointing. Many of us were really hoping for Claudia and Chris [Fulton] next,” one person commented, referring to Eloise’s anticipated romance with Fulton’s Sir Philip Crane character. “Eloise missing out again after seeing Francesca find love TWICE. Our poor girl.”
“Ugh now we have a 4 YEAR wait on Eloise’s season! @netflix that’s way too fast to advance Francesca’s season John just passed!” another complained. “You better make Eloise’s season worth it! Hers is one of the best for those who have read the book. That’s probably why they are keeping it close to last.”
While some disgruntled fans were disappointed that they’d have to wait for Eloise’s season, others couldn’t come to terms with Francesca’s second love story involving another woman.
“I will skip this season due to unnecessary gender change of [Micheal’s] character,” one wrote.
“Thanks for ruining a perfectly good storyline,” another griped.
Julia Quinn defends ‘Bridgerton’ changes
While a segment of Bridgerton fans are not on board with trading Michael for Michaela, Quinn herself has endorsed the change. In an Instagram post after Michaela was introduced in season 3, she admitted she initially had reservations about the change.
“I trust Shondaland’s vision for Bridgerton, but I wanted to be sure that we could remain true to the spirit of the book and of the characters. Jess and I talked for a long time about it. More than once. I made it clear that it was extremely important to me that Francesca’s abiding love for John be shown on screen.”
Bronwell sold Quinn on her vision for Francesca and Michaela’s romance. Now, the author is asking viewers to give Bridgerton’s first lesbian romance a chance.
“I ask that you grant me and the Shondaland team some faith as we move forward,” she wrote. “I think we are going to end up with two stories, one on page and one on screen, and they will both be beautiful and moving.”
Bridgerton Seasons 1-4 are streaming on Netflix.
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