The show has set expectations that queerness would be a part of its story but has yet to actually follow through on its promises as it heads to its fifth season.
Bridgerton’s fourth season might have centered around everyone’s favorite bisexual icon Benedict Bridgerton and his will-they-won’t-they relationship with Sophie Baek, but there was another very important couple in the background dealing with their own story.
Since the end of season 3, many fans were waiting to see how Francesca’s story would unfold. In season 4, while she is just settling into married life with John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, he unexpectedly dies. As book readers know, Francesca eventually falls in love with John’s cousin, Michael. But one big surprise that even book fans did not expect was that in the TV adaptation, Michael Stirling is now Michaela Stirling.
As Benedict, the only known queer Bridgerton family member, was announced to pursue a straight relationship in his focused season, fans were excited to see Francesca fall in love with Michaela. Especially in a time where bisexual and lesbian relationships are not really seen on TV, it was a refreshing change of pace for a show that prides itself in greater representation in a historical setting.
However, what unfolded in the show’s fourth season is, well, absolutely nothing. There was some hope that with more time together fans would see the spark between Francesca and Michaela start to form. Unfortunately, this hope was quickly extinguished when they realized just how little screen time the characters would have together, even as they deal with their shared grief and the loss of John.
There is only one moment that could have hinted at what was coming up next. In the penultimate episode, the two women hold hands for a brief second before Michaela pulls away. In the final moments of the next episode (the season’s finale), we discover that Michaela has broken her promise to Francesca to stay in London and has left. Sure, you do see Francesca hurt over the situation, but that’s to be expected given that the one person who understood her feelings is now suddenly gone. There’s no implication that there’s something romantic there or that Francesca is suddenly developing feelings for Michaela. For all we know, the plan for them to get together may not even exist and there could be other plans for Francesca’s storyline.
Benedict’s relationship with Sophie does not erase his bisexual or queer identity. But while we had moments of longing and yearning from Benedict in his previous same-sex relationships, those foundational blocks seem nonexistent in Francesca’s story with Michaela. For fans who may not know the original story or about the change in Michaela’s character, the later reveal will certainly come as a surprise (if it happens at all).
Lesbian and bisexual women deserve full love stories, with longing and wanting and expectations. While Bridgerton hasn’t yet given us that, we’re crossing our fingers we’ll get it next season. Considering the fan theories that Francesca may not have her own season like her siblings or may have to significantly share her screen time with another, it feels like the show that seemed to finally want to give a spotlight on queer couples in the Ton might be taking a different route. (Series creator Jess Brownell has stated that her plan is to have them continue to be one per season. Bridgerton is only renewed up to season 6 at this point.) It’s the last thing we need in a time where it matters more than ever, but it has been what fans have come to accept when they see a relationship between two women unfold onscreen.