Season 3 of Shondaland’s and Netflix’s Bridgerton is now complete, with Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton) happily married, despite some challenges.

With Part 2 of Season 3 now streaming on Netflix, fans have witnessed the friends-to-lovers arc culminate in a grand wedding and the revelation that Penelope is the prolific gossip columnist, Lady Whistledown.

Francesca Bridgerton’s Journey in Season 3

Francesca’s (Hannah Dodd) love story also unfolded alongside that of #Polin. Season 3’s finale introduces a new character, hinting at significant developments for Francesca, previously portrayed by Ruby Stokes in Seasons 1 and 2.

Enter Michaela Stirling

Michaela Stirling (portrayed by Masali Baduza) makes her entrance in the final moments of the Season 3 finale at the Featherington sisters’ ball. John Stirling (Victor Alli), who recently married Francesca Bridgerton in a small ceremony, introduces Michaela, his cousin.

South African actress Masali Baduza, known for her roles as Persephone ‘Sephy’ Hadley in Noughts + Crosses and Fumbe in The Woman King, brings Michaela Stirling to life.

Michaela Stirling in the Bridgerton Books

In Julia Quinn’s book When He Was Wicked, John’s cousin is a man named Michael. Michael covets Francesca, who is already married to John. After John tragically dies of an aneurysm, Michael inherits his title as the Earl of Kilmartin and assumes all responsibilities. Francesca remains the Countess of Kilmartin and eventually realizes her feelings for Michael, leading to their marriage.

A New Plot Twist for Bridgerton

The introduction of Michaela Stirling instead of Michael suggests a significant plot twist. Season 3 showrunner Jess Brownell shared with media that she has “been pitching the Francesca queer story from the beginning.”

Exploring Francesca and Michaela’s Potential Romance

The expression on Francesca’s (Hannah Dodd) face upon meeting Michaela provides ample opportunity to delve into a potential romance between the two women. Brownell, a queer woman herself, related to Francesca’s story, describing it as one of feeling different from her family and the world around her.

“When I read her book, I really related to it, as a queer woman.” “Maybe in a way Julia Quinn didn’t intend, but a lot of Francesca’s book is about feeling different from her family and from the world around her and not really knowing why,” Brownell said.

“In the book, I think it’s mostly just about being introverted. But I think for a lot of queer people—not every queer person, but a lot of queer people, that sense of feeling different from the time you’re young, is part of our stories. Therefore, gender bending felt like a natural progression.

A Queer Happy Ending?

Brownell aims to avoid turning this storyline into a “queer tragedy.” The Regency era didn’t allow women to inherit titles, posing a challenge for Michaela if John Stirling were to die. However, Brownell hinted at a “queer happily ever after” rather than a “queer trauma.”

What’s Next?

Season 4 of the Netflix period series, currently in development, will provide answers to these and many more questions. Fans are eagerly anticipating how Francesca and Michaela’s story unfolds and whether their love story will defy the societal norms of the Regency era.

The information is taken from Deadline and AOL