IMDB Images – Bridgerton 2020
With season four coming to an end, and as Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek celebrate their marriage, a new couple is entering the Ton.
That’s right, as of this week, Netflix has announced that season five is underway. In their video announcement, it is revealed that these lovebrids are, in fact, Lady Francesca Stirling (Bridgerton) and Michaela Stirling.
This, to many, is exciting news, as many members of the queer community have been looking forward to the queer-centered love story since the introduction of Michaela instead of Michael in season three. However, it appears not everyone is feeling this way.
Following the original story by Julia Quinn, this season will focus on Francesca as she attempts to find love again after losing her husband, John Sterling, at the end of season four. It’s going to be full of complicated feelings, grief, and that classic sapphic pining we all know and love.
Some fans of the show think that the change from Michael to Michaela was an uncalled-for shift, but the reality is it’s so much more than ‘just a shift’.
In much media, we see queer couples, especially sapphic couples, end in tragedy. Rarely are they given happy endings or the main focus on screen. It sets a precedent that queer people cannot be happy, and shows many people that queer lives are worth ‘less’ than those of heterosexual lives.
Bridgerton (on Netflix) has been known to change the plot lines to fit the ever-changing times we live in now. From highlighting the lives of people of color to queer couples, they are showing that these minorities have always been here.
Netflix on YouTube – Bridgerton Season Five Trailer
Yet some people keep coming back to the idea that the show is no longer ‘book accurate’.
This is a concern that doesn’t have much merit to it, as Bridergton has been known to make shifts in the series that weren’t originally in the books. In fact, many of the seasons are out of order, as they have chosen to highlight the different characters based on fans’ interests. So arguing that this season ‘doesn’t fit’ isn’t a valid argument on that front.
What it really shows is the homophobia that is rooted in so many people’s ideologies.
Both Hannah Dodd (Francesca) and Masali Baduza (Michaela) have agreed that they are more excited than ever to spotlight the love story of these complex characters. To show that there can be queer joy instead of tragedy in a world that so often attempts to do this.
This also isn’t the first time we have seen a queer Bridgerton lead. As Benedict himself is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. At the end of season three, he finds himself attracted to men and women alike, and even comes out to Sophie (his now wife) in season four.
This inquisitive writer has a theory that the reason so many people were okay with this is due to the internal bi-erasure so many homophobes lean into. He is a queer man, and happened to fall in love with a woman; this doesn’t diminish the fact that he is queer. Yet many people see him ending up with Sophie as him ‘choosing correctly’.
This is completely and utterly not okay.
Now, with the announcement of a same-sex love story, people are beginning to show their true colors.
The fact of the matter is, this is not about historical accuracy, book consistency, or any of that. It is all about people being upset that a show they like is supporting same-sex and queer couples.
All individuals deserve respect and representation. So far, we have seen older women find love again, plus-size representation, people of color on screen as lead characters, and a bisexual man fall in love. This announcement isn’t as outlandish as people on the internet are making it out to be, and spotlighting two women falling for one another isn’t actually the end of the world.
At the end of the day, it is all rooted in the deep-seated misogyny many people still have and the hate for the LGBTQ+ community that has been on the rise since the 2024 election.
The reality is, if someone tells you, or says online, that this is ‘wrong’ or that they won’t be watching– then so be it. This fact does not dictate whether or not this will be a successful season, and does not diminish the outstanding reality that we are getting a wlw love story.
I feel that it’s time that we grow as a people and realize that it’s okay to see two women kiss, and that everyone deserves the representation everyone else has gotten.
And we hope you feel the same. Now, as for us? We will be anxiously awaiting any further news of production as season five goes underway.
Until next time,
Lady Gay Agenda
The Gay Agenda
Sources:
IMDB Images – Bridgerton 2020
Netflix on YouTube – Bridgerton Season Five Trailer
Tudum by Netflix – Bridgerton Season 5 Lead Couple, Cast, Plot, Filming Location, And More – Netflix Tudum
One thought on “Bridgerton Season Five Rings in a New Couple: The Ton is officially Sapphic!”
YEAHHH LETS GOOOOO WLW WINN maybe I have to watch Bridgerton now. . .