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Bridgerton Series 5 Goes Off-Piste: My Thoughts On Francesca And Michaela's Story

  • evemrileyauthor
  • May 11
  • 3 min read

If you’ve been hanging out in my corner of the internet for a while, you know I am a diehard Bridgerton fan. I’ve been practically vibrating with anticipation for Eloise to finally take center stage in Season 5. I wanted ink-stained fingers, fiery debates and more of her super relatable humour.


However, I stand corrected: Bridgerton series 5 will instead center on a queer romance featuring Francesca and Michaela.


After a brief mourning period for my Eloise dreams, I’ve started to realize that maybe this shift towards queer romance is exactly what the series needs. Let’s dive into the tea, shall we?


Two women in sparkly regency-shaped gowns sit on a sofa in front of an ornate bookshelf. They lean away from one another but maintain eye contact. The scene is softly lit.

Why Rep Matters (Even in the Regency)


Let’s be real: queer romance between women and femme-presenting people is still pretty thin on the ground in mainstream media, especially as the primary focus of a global hit like Bridgerton.


I can hear the purists shouting about "historical accuracy." But babes, we’ve already excused full acrylic sets and lash extensions on screen.  If we can accept those, we can certainly allow for a little fantastical acceptance of queer joy!


A Little History Lesson: Back in the day, if you wanted to publish a "raunchy" gay romance, you usually had to follow the "bury your gays" trope. Your protaganists could have all the fun, but only if they didn't make it out alive! It resulted in a wild subgenre of early 20th-century queer lit full of vampires, devils, and bank robbers. Creativity flourishes under constraints, but thank goodness romance can exist outside that box now!


The "Breadcrumbing" Concern


There’s a lot of chatter that the writers are "breadcrumbing" Eloise’s story to keep us hooked for Series 6 or 7. It’s a bit cynical to think Eloise might be relegated to a subplot (much like Francesca was in Series 3), and I hope it doesn't distract from what is a very promising storyline.


I’ll admit, Michael Stirling and Francesca were one of the book series’ most beloved couples. For long-time readers, a gender-swap might jar against that mental picture we’ve carried for years. But there is so much potential here!


Beyond the Monolith


Eloise has always been heavily "queer-coded", perhaps best typified in this much-memed scene where she visibly recoiling from male suitors in a way that’s totally at odds with the Regency feminine ideal.


Eloise looks visibly disgusted by a suitor. She is crinkling her entire face. She is dressed in pale blue and has a straight brown fringe

But queer people aren't a monolith. I’m fascinated by Francesca’s arc. She’s had a relationships with a man and experienced marriage with him, and now she’s navigating the loss of her husband and what it means for the rest of her life. Francesca is in pole position for a multifaceted love-after-grief arc, which resonated with readers and was a big part of the original book’s popularity. And of course Michaela being John’s cousin adds to the complexity; they are both going through grief, and then there’s the whole “will they won’t they should they” dynamic...


Grief, Grace, and Highlands


A picture of Glen Coe at sundown. The picture is dominanted by a large snow-capped mountain in the foreground, with a mountain range behind. there is a winding path crossing the scene which goes past a small white cottage. The foreground is moor and heather.

I want to see Francesca and Michaela's relationship treated with the same weight and care as any straight romance in the series. Instead of the "queer-character-as-sidekick" trope, we are getting a dedicated series to explore:


  • A Widow's Journey: Francesca navigating life after her marriage and making a pragmatic return to the marriage mart perhaps earlier than she feels ready for.

  • New Characters alongside old favourites: Tega Alexander is joining the cast as Christopher Anderson, Lord Anderson’s son and Bridgerton’s notorious new charmer....

  • Scenery: Can we talk about the trailer? I spotted what looks like Glen Coe, and I am 100% here for more Scottish Highlands and moody moors.


While I still adore Eloise and will be waiting impatiently for her time in the spotlight, I’m ready to embrace this new direction. Here’s to queer joy, Scottish mountains, and a romance that breaks the mold.


What are your thoughts on the gender-swap? Are you excited for the Highlands, or are you still mourning Eloise’s series with me? Let’s chat in the comments!


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