Summary
Netflix’s adaptation of Julia Quinn’s romance seriesBridgertonfeatures a different sibling’s love story every season. Francesca isthe sixth child in the Bridgerton family treeand the third daughter. Francesca’s bookWhen He Was WickedfeaturesMichael Stirling as her primary love interest, although she was married to his cousin John Stirling for two years before suddenly dying of a brain injury. Francesca unexpectedly falls in love with Michael after grieving for John, but Michael has always secretly loved her.
Of allthe new stories set up byBridgertonseason 3, the eighth episode, “Into The Light,” introduces a very unexpected character - Michaela Stirling,a gender-bent version of Michael. This astonishing twist suggests thatFrancesca Bridgerton will be gay, or at the very least bisexual, which was not a factor inWhen He Was Wicked. Since this shocking reveal, it has been a mystery about what elementsBridgertonwill keep or discard from Francesca’s book. However, there are several critical elements that the show must employ to execute Francesca’s story properly.
10John Stirling Haunts The Narrative
John’s Lingering Presence After His Death Is Critical For Francesca And Michaela
One of the most significant parts ofWhen He Was WickedwasJohn Stirling’s lingering presence despite his abrupt death. He haunts Francesca and Michael for different reasons: Francesca feels guilty for moving on with John’s cousin, while Michael has always felt guilty for secretly loving Francesca, including when John was alive.John Stirling will die before Francesca’s season, but that does not mean his importance ends there.Bridgertonmust include his presence in a way that haunts Francesca and Michaela. John never leaves their hearts inWhen He Was Wicked; the show should not change that.
9The Time Jump After John Stirling’s Death
Four Years Pass Without Francesca And Michael Seeing Each Other
Bridgertonmust include the four-year time jump betweenthe tragedy of John’s deathand Francesca and Michael’s reunion. During those four years, Michael ran to India to escape his guilt for loving Francesca while grieving for John, and Francesca tended to the Kilmartin estate.Michael and Francesca grieve alone, which is critical for how the narrative frames their love story. Although it will be impossible forBridgertonto portray all four years, the show should still address this passage of time with a clear explanation of what Francesca and Michaela were up to during that time.
1818
1815
1820
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Michael returns from India, Francesca goes to London for the season
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Francesca and Michael’s love story, ends in their marriage
Francesca gives birth to John II
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Francesca gives birth to Janet II
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It is also important forFrancesca and Michaela to keep minimal contact with each otherso that when they reunite, it is a complete surprise. However, Michaela does not need to travel to India to escape Francesca - simply traveling around Britain or staying away from Francesca will do. Britain’s brutal colonization of India is at its height in the 19th century. Including the colonization of India just to normalize how Britain treated the nation will go against everything thatBridgertonstands for.Bridgertonprides itself on diversity and acceptance, which is incompatible with Michael’s India trip.
8Francesca And Michaela In The Thunderstorm
An Intimate Scene That Has The Perfect LGBTQIA+ Setup
Shortly after Francesca and Michael return to Scotland, they run into each other while horseback riding. However, they get caught in a thunderstorm, forcing them to run to the gardener’s cottage since they cannot make it back to the Kilmartin estate. This event sparks a heated chemistry between Francesca and Michael,leading them to come together intimately. Although it is not their first time making love, it is a significant scene because it is the first time they make love without rushing, really getting to know each other intimately.
It provides the same intimacy that Michael and Francesca experience in When He Was Wicked while adding a new spin, adjusting the narrative for Francesca and Michaela without taking away the essence of the scene—there is no one else alive that Francesca would trust so intimately.
This scene is an excellent opportunity forBridgertonto adapt it for a gay perspective. During this scene, Michael teaches Francesca how to be more dominant while making love. The show can translate this part into Michaela teaching Francesca how to really be intimate with a woman. It provides the same intimacy that Michael and Francesca experience inWhen He Was Wickedwhile adding a new spin, adjustingthe narrative for Francesca and Michaelawithout taking away the essence of the scene - there is no one else alive that Francesca would trust so intimately.
Bridgerton’s 20 Steamiest Scenes, Ranked
Bridgerton and its prequel spinoff, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, have both contained some incredibly steamy and romantically tense scenes.
7Francesca and Violet’s Conversation About Second Love
Bridgerton Would Have To Adjust This Conversation To Include Marcus Anderson
While Francesca is in London duringWhen He Was Wicked, she asks Violet why she never remarried after Edmund’s death.Francesca and Violet have a heartfelt conversation, and Violet opens up about not having time while raising her children. After many years, Violet found that her life was already complete without romance. Violet reassures Francesca that her situation is different and that she can fall in love again because no two relationships are ever the same. It is an important scene to include since it honors John’s memory, even though Francesca is ready to fall in love again.
Violet Bridgerton also appears inQueen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Storyin the past and in the present.
However, the show would have to slightly alter this scene becauseBridgertonintroduces a new love interest for Violet- Marcus Anderson, Lady Danbury’s brother. Instead, Violet could talk about how she was not looking for a new partner when she unexpectedly found Marcus. Their conversation can portray the parallel thatViolet’s romance creates for Francesca’s story. It is also important for Violet and Francesca’s conversation to include that Violet’s life was already complete without Marcus; she just happened to fall in love again.
6Michaela And Francesca’s Floral Courtship
Courting Is Important To Francesca—And So Are Flowers
InWhen He Was Wicked, Francesca decides she is ready to look for a husband again, andcourting becomes very important to her. Although she does not expect to fall in love again, she still wants to find a suitable husband and properly court him before becoming betrothed. After thetonrealizes that Francesca Bridgerton is looking to marry again, she wakes up one morning to find the drawing room filled to the brim with floral bouquets. Francesca is utterly surprised and a little overwhelmed, but not necessarily in a bad way.
Although it is a small detail in When He Was Wicked, it would be lovely for Bridgerton to pay homage to Francesca’s love for flowers, especially regarding her future relationship with Michaela.
This scene portrays how muchFrancesca loves the floral aspect of courting, so much so that she wishes society could be different so that women could send Michael flowers too. At the end of the book, Michael decides to court Francesca properly and initiates their courtship by presenting her with flowers.BridgertonhasFrancesca’s struggles with her debut, but the show can still pay homage to Francesca’s love for flowers, especially regarding her future relationship with Michaela.
5Michaela and Francesca’s First Kiss
Francesca And Michaela’s First Kiss Should Elicit The Same Results (With A Twist)
Francesca and Michael’s first kiss does not even occur until more than halfway throughWhen He Was Wicked, but it is incredibly satisfying. It wasso iconic that Francesca’s reaction was to run back to Scotlandafterward. The circumstances leading up to their first kiss are pretty delightful, too—Michael protects Francesca from a man trying to make a pass at her and then goes home to stew in his anger. When Francesca arrives, she attempts to talk to Michael, but he feels so guilty for wanting Francesca that he does not want to talk at all.
Francesca’s season will most likely be eitherBridgertonseason 5 or 6.
After locking eyes, Michael leans in to kiss her, and Francesca realizes she desires Michael.Bridgertonshould include the angsty circumstances of this scene with a twist—Michaela should be the one to run back to Scotland instead of Francesca.ThisBridgertonchangekeeps the essence of Francesca and Michael’s first kiss without dismissing either of their feelings. Michaela being the one to run would further explore her guilt over her feelings for Francesca and Francesca’s guilt over moving on with John’s cousin. Michaela running would alsoshow a more vulnerable side to her character.
4When He Was Wicked’s Titular Quote
The Quote Can Represent Queer Love In A Different Light
TheBridgertonbookshave specific reasons for their titles. Francesca’s book is titledWhen He Was Wickedbecause it refers toan inside joke between Michael and Francesca. When John was alive, Michael was known as “the merry rake,” which always prompted Francesca to ask him to “tell her something wicked.” However, when things start heating up between Michael and Francesca, they begin using their inside joke to seduce each other. However, as Francesca falls in love with Michael, she eventually realizes her love for him.
Bridgertoncan evenadapt this quote to fit Francesca and Michaela in a gay context. It would most likely have to occur before they get married since Francesca only realizes her love for Michael after they are married in the book, but it is essential to include it, nevertheless. Francesca’s epiphany has a gay interpretation, as she no longer believes it is a bad thing to love a woman, and it does not negate her love for John. This moment helps Francesca accept that she is in love with Michaela and that it is okay for her to fall in love with men or women.
Bridgerton: One Michaela Stirling Detail Makes Francesca’s Romance Twist Even Better
The Bridgerton season 3 finale inserts a small Michaela Stirling detail that foreshadows an impending romance twist for Francesca.
3Francesca and Michaela Meet at John’s Grave
Francesca Confesses Her Love After Talking To John
The most critical scene in the book occurs when Francesca brings flowers to John’s grave and “confess” her love for Michael. Francesca realizes that John would have loved Michael and Francesca together, the same way Michael loved John and Francesca. Michael overhears her, and they walk away hand-in-hand. However, he turns back to mouth a thank you to John for allowing Michael to love Francesca.Bridgertoncannot eliminate this moment. It does not have to be the last scene ofFrancesca’s season inBridgerton, but it isthe defining point that would set up Francesca’s grand love confession for Michaela.
2Francesca’s Infertility Storyline
Francesca’s Struggles With Fertility And Her Desires For Children Are Inherent To Her Character
Of course, Francesca and Michaela are not just representation for LGBTQIA+ women; Francesca is already important representation for women that struggle with fertility.Bridgertonmust honor Francesca’s infertility storylineand take it a step further. Francesca’s infertility must not only remain in her narrative, but the show must highlight it even more.When He Was Wickedonly mentions Francesca’s struggle with fertility once.It is primarily a storyline in the book’s second epilogue, which was released much later.Bridgertonshould expand Francesca’s infertility plot furtherand portray the struggles that infertile women endure rather than include it as an afterthought.
1Janet Stirling’s Letter
John Stirling’s Mother Writes A Powerful Letter That Wraps Up The Narrative
When He Was Wicked’s first epilogue features a short letter from Janet Sterling, John’s mother. This letter is not pertinent to the narrative, but Francesca’s story cannot end any other way. Janet appears throughout the novel, supporting Francesca and her happiness. After Michael and Francesca are married, Janet addresses this letter to Michael, offering her blessing and thanking Michael for “letting John love [Francesca] first.“Bridgertonshould end Francesca’s season with a montage of Michaela and Francesca, while Janet’s letter is a voiceover in the background. It brings the narrative full circle andcements Francesca’s love for John and Michaela.
Bridgerton
Cast
Bridgerton, released on July 26, 2025, is set in Regency-era England and follows the lives of the influential Bridgerton family. The series explores themes of wealth, lust, and betrayal, portraying societal dynamics through a blend of romance and intrigue.
