Even the primary love interests differ—Kate Sheffield is now Kate Sharma, and Michael Stirling is now Michaela Stirling. Furthermore, the Bridgerton love stories do not follow the same order as the books. However, adding so many new characters ultimately meant Bridgerton had to cut existing ones, including Robert Huxley and Neville Berbrooke, the latter of whom is Nigel’s brother. Even the Bridgerton extended family appears on the show. One of the characters the show cut happens to be another Featherington, and this decision might affect Bridgerton season 7 in an interesting way.
Felicity Featherington Explained: The Books’ 4th Sister & Why She Was Cut
The Youngest Featherington Would Affect Penelope’s Arc
Bridgerton cut the youngest Featherington sister, Felicity Featherington. For the most part, Felicity is a secondary character, whether she is creating her usual shenanigans with Hyacinth or simply supporting her sister Penelope. However, showrunner Jess Brownell has explained why Bridgerton season 3 cut this key book character, claiming Chris Van Dusen and Shonda Rhimes decided to exclude Felicity because Penelope’s older sisters “play as a foil to Penelope,” and Felicity just does not fit in that perspective. Felicity is infinitely kinder than Prudence and Philippa. She has always been supportive of Penelope and exists as the exception in Penelope’s family.
How Cutting Felicity Featherington Creates A Problem For Bridgerton Season 7
Felicity And Hyacinth’s Friendship Is Critical For Hyacinth’s Story
However, just because Felicity was unnecessary for Penelope’s story does not mean she is useless overall. Felicity’s primary role in the Bridgerton books is not actually as Penelope’s sister but as Hyacinth Bridgerton’s best friend. Throughout the series, there are glimpses of Hyacinth and Felicity’s friendship, but their dynamic really shines in Hyacinth’s book, It’s In His Kiss. Although Hyacinth’s story could theoretically function without Felicity, leaving her out would create a hole in Hyacinth’s life. Felicity and Hyacinth mirror Penelope and Eloise’s friendship, with their dynamic being an important part of both characters’ arcs.
Hyacinth will marry Lady Danbury’s grandson, but her friendship with Felicity is still essential to her narrative.
It is a serious mistake to dismiss Felicity Featherington’s existence, but Bridgerton can still fix it. Instead of being a Featherington, Felicity could be a girl from another family in the ton and still act as Hyacinth’s best friend. She can even keep her first name and book personality while just having a different last name. That way, one of Hyacinth’s most important relationships still exists and even contributes to her story. Hyacinth is expected to marry Lady Danbury’s grandson, but her friendship with Felicity is still essential to her narrative.