5 Potential Queer Main Character Storylines for Bridgerton

Dearest Gentle Reader,

Bridgerton has people of many different backgrounds and races, ethnicities and body types, all portrayed as desirable and deserving of a happy ending. Not that the show is perfect in these areas, but one area that is glaringly missing from this show devoted to inclusivity is the queer community. With only three queer speaking characters in the entire series, and exactly none still appearing in the main series (not since S1 have any been present), this is an area that needs improvement. So here, Dear Netflix, are my humble suggestions about how you could bring this into your series in the main stories. Feel free to bring queerness into your subplots as well. Also, feel free to steal these ideas — I gift them to you. I just want some more representation in this show we all love.

So, here are the ideas.

Eloise and Cressida

As we come up on Season 3, obviously they’re not changing things now. However, we do know that Eloise and Cressida strike up an unlikely friendship. While that is a very surprising shift, particularly for Eloise, I think her being attracted to Cressida would make a lot of sense. If attraction and burgeoning sexual experience and expression between them is what is holding them together, it makes sense that Eloise would be a little more understanding of Cressida than she might otherwise be. It could also allow for Eloise to explore her bisexuality before still ending up with Phillip. However, ending their relationship with what is likely the both of them marrying men could be less than ideal. We are looking for stories of queer joy as well, so let’s transition to people and stories who could have an endgame with a queer happily ever after.

Benedict and a Prince

Benedict is arguably the most likely candidate to be queer. He has been queer coded since Season 1, his obvious interest in Henry Granville’s lifestyle a huge signal that he has some inclination toward a similar direction. How that will unfold for Benedict remains to be seen, and I think we will see some movement on this front for him in the second half of Season 3. That could also indicate that he will have a male love interest in his season. While I don’t think this version is the most likely, I would adore a reverse Cinderella story where Benedict ends up the “Cinderella” falling for one of Queen Charlotte’s sons or close relations. Now, there is a great way to bring queerness into acceptance for the Ton via the royal family, just like integrating the Ton in Queen Charlotte. I could see lots of other ways it would work for Benedict to have a male love interest as well, but it could be really delightful to see it play out with him falling for a prince.

Francesca and Michael(a)

A theory I have been tossing around for quite some time, there is a lot of merit to slotting a female love interest into Francesca’s story. We don’t know a ton about her personally yet, and certainly all that we do know wouldn’t contradict her having attraction toward women. I can only see amazing things for a badass, sexy, female rake falling for the sweet, quiet, piano-playing, autisitc-coded Fran. It would really distinguish Michael — Michaela — from the many other rakes that have been the main love interests each season. And they very easily could keep the fertility struggles with John before his tragic demise. All in all, I am thrilled by this idea and hope to see it play out.

Eloise and Marina

This idea seems not particularly likely, but it is still one I would absolutely adore. Many people, including me, have voiced concern about Eloise being pushed toward her book storyline. I’m all for her falling madly in love, but unless there are big changes to her narrative, there are going to be issues. One massive change that could make for something truly incredible could be the twist that, instead of Marina dying like the books, instead it’s Phillip. Marina, left a widow and struggling to raise her children, ends up connecting with Eloise. Of course, even if that’s the case, I would hope to see Eloise push her activism and education, too, as she deserves to achieve her dreams regardless of her partner. But it could be a great chance to keep Marina from her problematic ending and give her and El a gorgeous happily ever after.

Benedict and Sophie

This is probably still my number one hope for a queer storyline in Bridgerton, and I deeply, desperately hope to get to see it. I cannot think of a more perfect adaptation of Benedict and Sophie’s Cinderella story than for Sophie to be trans. How amazing and perfect would it be for the masquerade ball to be Sophie’s first chance to be her true self, she meets and falls for Benedict, but he has trouble recognizing her because she can’t live as her true self. It would make that aspect a lot more believable, and it would bring so much beauty and depth to the idea of courage and strength that is highlighted in AOFAG.

As we ring in Pride Month and get ready for the second part of Bridgerton Season 3, I have a lot of faith in what the Briderverse can do with queer stories. Jess Brownell’s vocal commitment to queer stories and queer joy is heartening and beautiful, and I dearly hope we get confirmation of this very soon.