Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell explains Benedict’s big story reveal in season 3, part 2. Based on the hit book series by Julia Quinn, Netflix’s Bridgerton first released in 2020, quickly becoming a big hit. The show, which chronicles the romantic lives of various members of Bridgerton family in Regency era England, is all about Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin’s (Luke Newton) love story in season 3, but Benedict (Luke Thompson) also gets a big moment. The scene in question sees Benedict finally explore his bisexuality in a threesome with Lady Tilley and Paul.

In a recent interview with Glamour, Brownell explains Benedict’s big moment in Bridgerton season 3, part 2. According to the showrunner, finally leaning into Benedict’s sexuality fit in with the season’s larger storyline about him trying to figure out his place in the world. She also teases that these themes will be explored with another character moving forward. Check out Brownell’s full comment below:

“I personally feel like Benedict reads as queer in seasons 1 and 2, and I think a lot of audiences have felt that way as well. So in the writers room, we wanted to make sense of that in a season in which Benedict is figuring out his place in society and what it means for him to feel a little different and how he can skirt the rules of society while being true to himself. It felt like him embracing his queerness was a great way to tell that story.

“I think it’s nice to have different kinds of queer representation on the show. There are as many different kinds of queer experiences as there are queer people. We get to see a version of it with Benedict, and we’ll get to see a very different version of it with Francesca in the future.”

What Benedict’s Storyline Means For Bridgerton’s Future

Will Benedict’s Bridgerton Book Could Be Next?

The Bridgerton season 3 ending wraps up a number of story threads while also setting up some interesting new dynamics to explore in the future. So far, each season of the show has focused on a new set of characters, charting their romance over the course of multiple episodes. Quinn’s books suggest there are still a number of characters set to be the focus in seasons ahead, but the show doesn’t adapt the Bridgerton books in order, so it’s not yet clear who will take center stage in season 4.

So far, the central romances in seasons 1, 2, and 3 have been between a man and a woman. The confirmation that Benedict is an LGBTQ+ character means that future seasons can buck this trend. An Offer From A Gentleman is the Quinn novel that most wholly focuses on Benedict’s story, and, while the key romance in this book is between Benedict and Sophie Beckett, the latest reveal in season 3 part 2 means some exciting wrinkles can be introduced into this story when the show eventually adapts it.

Of course, Brownell also teases that LGBTQ+ themes could also be explored through Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Francesca’s sexuality has been something of a question mark throughout the show thus far, but Bridgerton season 4 could see this change as the character reveals more about herself, both to audiences and to other characters. It remains to be seen how Benedict’s story will play out in future seasons of Bridgerton, but it’s certainly sure to play an important role moving forward.