-- Shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Email The following contains spoilers for "Bridgerton" Season 3 and from the books on which the show is based Julia Quinn, the author behind the "Bridgerton" book series, has responded to the ire of fans who took issue with a gender twist in the finale of the Netflix adaptation's third season. After Francesa Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) marries Lord John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin (Victor Alli), she comes face to face with his cousin Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) and has an instant, visceral reaction. Francesca flubs her words and forgets her own name.
It's a shocking appearance to Quinn's readership as well because those familiar with the books recognize a version of that name: Michael. Warning: spoilers ahead the books. It turns out that Netflix's adaptation of "Bridgerton" has gender-bent cousin Michael – the man who will eventually win Francesca's heart after the death of John – to be Michaela, which will make the first queer love story official for one of the eight Bridgerton siblings.
While many who have been watching the series celebrated the change especially for Pride month, the swap was received poorly by much of the "Bridgerton" book fan base, with many opining that the addition of a new queer character and subplot was too much of a diversion from the book's original content. Discourse raged online. On Monday Quinn posted on her Instagram account a statement addressing the fandom's outrage.
“Anyone who has seen an interview .
