Bridgerton is finally celebrating a lesbian romance – the homophobic reactions are gutting
When the news broke that Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza) would lead season five of Bridgerton, I was thrilled. But the rest of the fanbase didn’t share my excitement, quickly dashing my hopes with their criticism.
Scrolling through social media platforms revealed a flood of distressing comments, broadly falling into two categories: fans lamenting Eloise’s storyline being delayed or straight-up homophobes vowing to stop watching the series. The latter’s outrage is particularly harsh, targeting the inclusion of a same-sex romance as a bold, unnecessary choice.
“Why can’t they just stick to the ‘tradition’ of relationships in that period?” one commenter asked. “We do not have to make everything we watch gay.”
Most of the disappointment centers on Claudia Jessie’s character, Eloise, who has been resisting marriage proposals since the show’s debut. While some argued that Francesca needed extra time to grieve John’s death, others felt this justified keeping Eloise’s love life for later. However, I believe the emotional weight of Eloise’s arc is being overestimated.
Francesca’s journey, including her union with John and introduction to Michaela, was already detailed in earlier seasons. The groundwork for their romance was well-established, making the decision to stretch it into season five feel redundant. Yet, fans insisted on elongating the narrative, claiming it would allow Francesca more time to process her loss.
Meanwhile, Eloise’s character has shown signs of stagnation, often repeating her defiance of societal expectations. But this isn’t the first time the show has diverged from the books. Colin and Benedict’s storyline was swapped, a move that deepened Benedict’s development and resolved Colin’s romantic tension with Penelope. This shift benefited the narrative, much like the Franchaela storyline could.
Some critics argued that Francesca’s female love interest would overshadow her infertility struggle from *When He Was Wicked*. Yet, this plotline has already been explored, and the claim that it’s irrelevant to a same-sex couple seems ignorant. In the 1800s setting, the challenges of conceiving without modern medicine add depth to any relationship, offering broader representation.
Despite the backlash, Eloise’s romance is poised to be a significant arc in season five. Her connection with Sir Phillip Crane, a love interest and eventual husband in the books, promises fresh storytelling. While I’d love to see Eloise return to her rebellious spirit—like her secret visits to Theo or advocacy for gay marriage—the show has already set a compelling path.
It’s time for Eloise fans to temper their frustration. The anger directed at Hannah Dodd and Masali Baduza is already substantial, and the backlash risks overshadowing the progress made by LGBTQ+ characters in the Bridgerton universe. For years, these stories were often sidelined, with Benedict’s bisexuality and Brimsley and Reynold’s romance in the Queen Charlotte spin-off serving as minor threads.
