Spoiler Alert: The Bridgerton universe just got a modern twist — and not everyone is thrilled. At the close of Season 3, fans were thrown for a loop when Francesca Bridgerton’s love interest debuted not as Michael Stirling, but as Michaela Stirling, fundamentally shifting the narrative laid out in Julia Quinn’s beloved novels.
To get the full picture, we need to dive into the book, When He Was Wicked. This sixth entry in the Bridgerton series is a fan favorite, mainly due to Michael Stirling’s role. He’s the quintessential bad boy — charming, passionate, and a magnet for trouble. Replacing this cherished male character with a woman has not just stirred frustration; it’s sparked a near uproar from fans far and wide.
“Literally NO ONE wants this,” one fan commented.
“This is beyond disappointment. I’m queer and I like that they want to give LGBTQ+ community representation BUT they should create new characters to give them that storyline, NOT CHANGE a major character that is loved by everyone in the fandom…” another posted.
Amidst the shockwaves rippling through the fanbase, Quinn, 54, has stepped forward to address the sea of unfavorable reactions. The best selling author took to Instagram, expressing her understanding of fans’ feelings but reinforcing her support for the show’s new direction.
“Dear readers,” she started and prefaced in the caption that the post contains spoilers. “Many Bridgerton fans have expressed their surprise, and for some, disappointment in the twist at the end of Bridgerton Season 3 – that Michael Stirling, with whom Francesca eventually falls in love in When He Was Wicked, would instead be Michaela.”
She continued, “Anyone who has seen an interview with me from the past four years knows that I am deeply committed to the Bridgerton world becoming more diverse and inclusive as the stories move from book to screen. But switching the gender of a major character is a huge change…”
