Recently, Netflix officially announced that the fifth season of the hit show Bridgerton will revolve around the love story of Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling. However, there have been mixed feelings about this next season continuing Francesca’s love story. From arguments about the show straying from the books to there being much excitement about there finally being sapphic representation in such a popular show, there are plenty of varied feelings going on.
With the introduction of Michaela’s character in Season 3, and the death of John, Francesca’s husband, in Season 4, Bridgerton began the start of her love story with Michaela. Her storyline of struggling with infertility was also introduced in the latest season. With this plot also being a major theme in the books, along with her strong desire to be a mother, many fans are concerned about how the show will be able to incorporate both Francesca’s infertility issues and her romance with Michaela. I feel that this is mainly rooted in how, in the books, Michael and Francesca end up having two kids. Despite this, I definitely do think that it is possible for the Bridgerton writers, if not a little difficult, to show sapphic representation while still incorporating Francesca’s infertility issues. While the best-case scenario that most fans can foresee is adoption, this practice did not exactly exist during the Regency Era; however, the show is not exactly known for being 100% historically accurate or strictly book-accurate, so I think it still works. If anything, I think that the portrayal of a sapphic relationship in the show will be very positive. By being one of the first major Regency Era shows to show a sapphic relationship, it is breaking so many barriers by transforming traditional Regency-era dramas through diverse representation and queer storylines, creating an alternative history where race, disability, and sexuality are not limitations. With this, I do, however, think that the Bridgerton writers need to ensure that neither representation, either sapphic or infertility issues, overshadows the other. The success of this season all depends on the balance of these themes.
Regarding the public reaction, however, I have noticed rising homophobia in some reactions in the Bridgerton fandom regarding the introduction of Michael’s character as a woman, with certain groups of people seeming to be more upset with the changing of Michael’s character into Michaela instead of the more serious portrayal of Francesca’s infertility issues, and how the show will continue to incorporate this theme. I believe that the main focus of one’s disapproval of the incoming season should stem from concern for the accuracy of portrayal within Francesca’s infertility, rather than of the sapphic storyline or gender change.
Additionally, there seems to be a sentiment among fans that Season 5 should have been about Eloise rather than Francesca. With reasons being that Eloise has waited for her season for so long, and how Francesca has gotten a longer story than any other character. However, I think Season 5 was always going to be about Francesca rather than Eloise, given how Season 4 ended. If Bridgerton writers had wanted Season 5 to be about Eloise, they would have started the beginnings of her story, such as Marina’s death and her correspondence with Sir Phillip Crane. Even if they had started this storyline in Season 5, it would have felt rushed to viewers. Also, if Francesca’s season hadn’t been Season 5, her love story would have been extended for even longer, taking time away from Eloise’s story. Therefore, I do think making this upcoming season about Francesca was the best choice for the show.
