Jess Brownell has addressed theories surrounding the sexuality of this fan favourite character
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY NETFLIX
It’s almost been a week since the release of Bridgerton season three: part two. This instalment ended in a way that stirred up a lot of excitement about what we have to look forward to in future seasons, especially with potential upcoming LGBTQIA storylines. But before we dive into it all, consider this your official warning that spoilers are coming.
Season three confirmed that Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) is pansexual, and we saw his queer awakening following his exploration of a polyamorous relationship. But before the end credits rolled on this chapter of the show, a new character was introduced to the Bridgertonverse, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). This reveal showed that Benedict was not the only queer Bridgerton sibling and that something sapphic is coming for Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) in future seasons.
Ahead of the release of season three, showrunner Jess Brownell teased that we’d see an LGBTQIA storyline explored. Many fans speculated that fan favourite Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) might have a sapphic awakening of her own. For years fans have shipped her with her BFF Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and after seeing part one of season three, many of us shipped Eloise with Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen). Since seeing Benedict and Francesca’s arcs in season three, speculations about Eloise’s identity have intensified on social media.
In an interview with TV Line, Jess – who is an openly queer woman herself – addressed the speculation surrounding Eloise. “We’ve talked about Eloise in the room a lot about the fact that to a lot of people, she does read as queer, and I totally understand why. But we felt it’s really important to hold space in this show where everyone is obsessed with romance for there to be a character — specifically a female character — for whom that is not the priority.”
For now, Jess said the intent “is not that Eloise just needs to meet someone of the right gender but that, in fact, she is genuinely more interested in cerebral pursuits at this moment.”
She continued to say that for now, Eloise “is on a path of finding her place in a society that doesn’t make a lot of room for women who care more about ideas than they do love.”
Many fans were hoping for an Eloise coming out story this season. But it looks like they’ll have to stick to Bridgerton fan fiction to get their fix.
It’s great to see an increased representation in the period drama show that has been celebrated for diversity. I’m very excited to see what’s to come for these siblings and the people of the Ton in future seasons.
Bridgerton is now streaming on Netflix.
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