Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell has opened up about why one key character from the book series is not present in the TV show, explaining the decision behind leaving them out of the adaptation. While the Netflix series doesn’t adapt its source material exactly, or in the same order Julia Quinn’s novels were released, it has maintained the same spirit as the original. However, it has also made some notable changes to its presentation, reflected in Felicity Featherington’s absence in the story.

Speaking with TV Insider ahead of Bridgerton season 3’s release, Brownell revealed why Felicity was never featured in the TV adaptation of Quinn’s book series. The showrunner explains how the decision was made early in the show’s run, cutting her out to build Penelope’s development by making her feel more isolated. Check out what Brownell had to say about the decision below:

I think [that] was a smart decision. I think that was a decision made by Chris Van Dusen and Shonda [Rhimes] early on in the pilot. It just gets hard to characterize three siblings, especially when the Featheringtons are in a secondary position. The main dramatic purpose of the Featherington sisters, they’ve obviously been comedic relief, but they’re there to play as a foil to Penelope.

I think in the books, if I’m not mistaken, Felicity is like a kinder sister. I think dramatically it helped Pen [in the show] feel even more isolated and alone and underscored her plight to have her be in this viper’s nest with her sisters who are not very nice to her, and her mother who underestimates her, so we ended up really not needing that character.

How Felicity’s Absence Will Change Bridgerton Season 3

The Show Is Making Other Changes From The Books

Felicity is an important character in the fourth novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, which season 3 will be pulling its story from. In the book, the younger Featherington sister is considered the best match for Colin by Portia, who doesn’t suspect that his feelings would ever turn toward Penelope. This adds a new dynamic to the main pair’s love story, given how close the two sisters are in the novel. It’s a conflict that helps flesh out the story, but will be absent from the TV version.

However, Felicity’s absence won’t be the only key change for Bridgerton season 3, whose story will be adapted from the fourth novel instead of the third. Because of this, some storylines featured in the third novel that don’t correlate with its focal character, Benedict, could appear in the newest season. Yet Penelope’s younger sister being absent will result in many character changes, including cutting an entire subplot and her isolation having a negative impact on her mindset. This could lead to deeper characterization, even if it doesn’t deliver every story from the novel.

While Felicity’s absence in Bridgerton season 3 is a major departure from the source material, it also makes the budding romance therein less predictable. Since Colin doesn’t realize he loves Penelope yet, the show can offer them plenty of time together to see how their relationship blossoms. It also means some twists and turns that even book readers won’t see coming. Although it won’t be fully accurate to the novels, it seems Brownell and the rest of the team have a particular plan for why this was the case.