Bridgerton boss issues warning to fans ahead of queer season 5 storyline
Francesca Bridgerton will explore a romance with Michaela in season 5 (Liam Daniel/Netflix)
Bridgerton boss Jess Brownell has issued a warning to homophobic viewers ahead of season 5.
On Tuesday (24 March), Netflix confirmed that Bridgerton season 5 would feature a sapphic romance. Fans saw in season 4 that Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) was left in mourning after her husband died, though she started a strong friendship with his cousin, Michaela (Masali Baduza).
In the Julia Quinn books on which the show is based, Francesca does move on with her late husband’s cousin, however in the novels Michaela is Michael.
Queer themes are nothing new for Bridgerton. Benedict Bridgerton explored his bisexuality in season 3 before finding love with a woman in season 4.
But season 5 will be the first time the period drama focuses on some same-sex romance.
Speaking to Netflix’s Tudum, showrunner Brownell said: “I’m very happy for people to discuss and debate the show and our approach to adapting the books.
“But I want to state really plainly, there is no place for homophobia or racism or any form of bigotry in the Bridgerton world. Bridgerton is about love and inclusivity.”
What is Bridgerton season 5 about?
A synopsis for season 5 revealed that Francesca will struggle with deciding to re-enter the marriage market for practical reasons, or follow her heart with Michaela.
However Brownell has suggested the two women will get their happy ending, saying: “It is not going to be a season about queer trauma.”
She added: “If there’s anything really specific about this season, it is the yearning. It’s big-time yearning.
“Those of us who know what it’s like to be in a sapphic relationship or have a sapphic crush understand that’s so baked into the experience.
“We had a lot of fun in the writers room for season 5 talking about what is really specific to women-loving-women relationships.
“Like the moment where you think, like, ‘Oh gosh, are we just friends? Or is this more?’ You know, the gay panic.
“We’re having so much fin with it this season.”
Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix, with season 5 in production now.
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