Key Takeaways:
– Book fans of the Bridgerton saga are upset about Francesca’s storyline in Netflix’s season three.
– The decision to change Michael to Michaela in the show has sparked concerns.
– Author Julia Quinn has addressed fan concerns, explaining the reasons behind the significant gender swap decision.
– Despite fan reactions, the overall response to the series has remained positive.
Story Overview
Netflix’s Bridgerton, one of the most eagerly-awaited TV shows, has caused quite a stir on social media. It’s not the whole third season itself but rather a specific character introduction that created a feeling of discontent among fans. The character at the center of this buzz is Michaela Sterling, much to the dismay of staunch followers of the original Bridgerton books.
Francesca’s Love Story
Fans of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels were eager for Francesca’s storyline in the third season. It’s known that Francesca dating and getting married is a heartfelt tale, and she even has multiple suitors. However, the introduction of the character Michaela Sterling instead of the original novel’s character Michael Stirling caused some shock waves.
In the series, Francesca falls in love with John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, and they get married. Michaela, the cousin of John, pops up right at the end of the third season, creating a tangling love triangle. This unexpected twist has not gone down well with the fans.
Plot Twist Surprise
Warning! Potential Spoilers below.
For those who have read Julia Quinn’s novel, Francesca falls in love with Michael Stirling, John’s cousin, after John sadly passes away. However, the TV series seems to have altered this central plot point with the introduction of Michaela instead of Michael. This change led to speculation that Francesca could be portrayed as a lesbian, a depiction that some fans felt undermined her authentic bond with John.
Bridgerton Author’s Response
Amidst the discussions and backlash, Julia Quinn, the author of Bridgerton, took to her Instagram to share her thoughts. She revealed that the show runner, Jess Brownell, proposed the idea of converting Michael into Michaela. Quinn wasn’t immediately convinced and asked for additional information.
She knew how potential changes could impact the narrative, so she wanted to remain true to the book’s spirit. After substantial thought, she felt it crucial to display Francesca’s deep-rooted love for John on screen and assure fans that the essence of the characters would remain intact.
Fans Express Disappointment
However, Julia’s assurance didn’t seem enough for some fans. Many felt that this season was heart-wrenching for the wrong reasons, and viewers might sympathize with John after feeling betrayed by his wife and cousin. This narrative twist diverged from the book’s natural storyline, which drew significant criticism.
Overall Viewers’ Reception
Despite some negative feedback, the overall response to the latest Bridgerton installment was mainly positive. Some viewers, though, found it difficult to follow the several threads and sub-plots introduced this season, causing some distraction from the main storyline. Nonetheless, the show retains its blockbuster status, and Bridgerton is now streaming its latest season on Netflix.
While the Bridgerton author’s response to the shift in the storyline might not be enough to appease the book fans’ disappointment, the series continues to captivate a major portion of its audience’s attention. Season three of Bridgerton represents a distinctive mix of diverse narratives and unexpected changes, making it one of the most watched and discussed shows currently streaming.
