Best-selling author Julia Quinn addresses the divisive Francesca change at the end of Bridgerton season 3. Initially premiering on Netflix in late 2020, this hit historical romance series, which is set during the London Regency era, is based on Quinn’s book series of the same name. Each season of this Netflix hit series has closely followed each of Quinn’s 8 separate Bridgerton books, particularly focusing on a different member of the Bridgerton family and their quest for marriage. However, since its premiere, the series has made several changes from its source material.

Now, speaking about the conclusion of Bridgerton season 3, Quinn issues a statement on her personal Instagram account addressing the controversial decision to change Francesca’s love interest from Michael to Michaela at the end of season 3.

The best-selling author acknowledged the surprise and disappointment of certain Bridgerton fans to see that Fransecsa’s love story takes a queer turn in the new season of the show. She, however, assures viewers that she’s deeply committed to seeing the Bridgerton world become more diverse and inclusive and asks for faith as the show moves forward.

Dear Readers—

Many Bridgerton fans have expressed their surprise, and for some, disappointment in the twist at the end of Bridgerton Season 3–that Michael Stirling, with whom Francesca eventually falls in love in When He Was Wicked, would instead be Michaela.

Anyone who has seen an interview with me from the past four years knows that I am deeply committed to the Bridgerton world becoming more diverse and inclusive as the stories move from book to screen. But switching the gender of a major character is a huge change, and so when Jess Brownell first approached me with the idea of turning Michael into Michaela for the show, I needed more information before conferring my agreement.

I trust Shondaland’s vision for Bridgerton, but I wanted to be sure that we could remain true to the spirit of the book and of the characters. Jess and I talked for a long time about it. More than once. I made it clear that it was extremely important to me that Francesca’s abiding love for John be shown on screen. When I wrote When He Was Wicked I actually had to fight to have the first four chapters, which establish that love, included. My publisher was worried that writing about Fran’s love for John would take away from Michael’s role as the eventual romance novel hero. But I felt that if I didn’t show how deeply she loved John, and how deeply Michael, his cousin, also loved him, then their feelings of guilt at falling in love with each other after John’s death made no sense. I didn’t want to just tell the reader that they loved him. I wanted the reader to feel it.

I’m confident now that when Francesca has her Bridgerton season, it will be the most emotional and heart-wrenching story of the show, just like When He Was Wicked has always been the true tear-jerker of the Bridgerton book series. Honestly, it may pack even more of a punch, since John is getting a lot more time on the screen than he ever did on the page, and I think it’s fair to say we’ve all fallen a little bit in love with him.

Thank you to readers and fans for your feedback. I am grateful for your understanding and touched by your deep commitment to the characters of the Bridgerton world. I ask that you grant me and the Shondaland team some faith as we move forward. I think we are going to end up with two stories, one on page and one on screen, and they will both be beautiful and moving.

Thank you.

Julia Quinn

What Other Book Changes Does Bridgerton Season 3 Make?

The Show Is Not Afraid To Create Its Own Narrative

Since the premiere of the Bridgerton series on Netflix, the show has based each of its seasons on separate entries in Quinn’s book series. Bridgerton season 1, which followed the fourth Bridgerton child, Daphne, was largely based on The Duke & I, while season 2, which focused on the eldest child, Anthony, was based on The Viscount Who Loved Me. Bridgerton season 3 adapted Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, but similar to its predecessors, it makes a couple of changes from its primary source.

Aside from the big Francesca twist, another change that was made in Bridgerton season 3, is the issue of the Featheringtons’ finances. In season 3, the Featheringtons were under investigation by the crown solicitor as to the source of their money, but this was never the case in the book. The book never places much emphasis on the Featheringtons, and they were never known to have any money problems.

Another major change that was made in Bridgerton season 3 which was not included in the book is the budding friendship between Eloise and Cressida. Eloise’s arc in the series is entirely different from that of the books. In the book, Penelope remains best friends with Eloise and the latter has absolutely no reason to befriend Cressida, but this is not the case in the series. While these changes might slightly throw off fans of the book series, like Quinn rightly stated, the book and series have become two different stories, and they’re both successful and beautiful in their own right.