Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Eloise (Claudia Jessie) looking at each other in Bridgerton
 Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell teases an exciting change from the books. Brownell takes the reins from creator Chris Van Dusen for Bridgerton season 3, which focuses on friends-to-lovers Penelope and Colin. While the new season has yet to be released, there’s already speculation about which characters will lead upcoming seasons and how closely they’ll follow the books. Recent comments by Brownell may offer a clue.

Speaking with Refinery29 Australia, Brownell was asked if the show will have “queer main characters.” Brownell’s full response is below:

Yeah, absolutely. I think this is a show about the many ways in which people love. So it only feels right to show all the ways in which people love, including queer love. So we are exploring queer love stories across the next couple of seasons . I don’t want to say exactly how that plays out. But it was important to me to foreground queer love and to tell queer stories and tell stories about queer joy as well. We have the privilege of living in this fantasy world which means we can push back against some of the reality of what happened in the 1800s.

Brownell’s Comments Make Bridgerton’s Future Even More Exciting

They Suggest a Major Change From the Bridgerton Books

Benedict (Luke Thompson) paints in Bridgerton season 2 episode 8

Notably, Julia Quinn’s novels don’t feature any prominent LGBTQ+ characters, and for the most part, the show has followed suit. However, in Bridgerton season 1, Benedict meets an artist, Sir Henry Granville, and his wife, Lucy. As Benedict eventually discovers, the marriage is a front so that Henry can spend time with Lord Wetherby and Lucy can entertain suitors of her own. Aside from that, the show hasn’t outright confirmed any other LGBTQ+ characters, though it implies that Benedict could be through his conversations with Henry.

Based on that storyline, there’s already been speculation that Bridgerton could deviate from the books and give Benedict a male partner. While Benedict marries a woman named Sophie in An Offer From a Gentleman, Brownell’s comments make the change to a male suitor seem more likely. The show has already proven its willingness to change Benedict’s story, switching up the order of it. Making another drastic change would be a win for inclusion and provide a needed update to the books. Additionally, it would give readers more reason to tune in and see how the show makes Benedict’s story its own.

Given Benedict’s love story has already been delayed a season, it seems likely he will be the focus of Bridgerton season 4. However, Brownell specifically says the show will explore queer love stories “across the next couple of seasons.” This suggests that LGBTQ+ relationships will also be a part of either the upcoming season 3 or season 5. Regardless of which it is, it’s exciting to hear that Bridgerton is willing to deviate from the books in such a significant and necessary way.