The future of Bridgerton has never looked so different. Bridgerton season 3’s ending sets up not only a radical change to the very nature of the show in its big Lady Whistledown twist, but it also teases a change to one of the books’ central relationships with potentially major ramifications.

So far, each of the Bridgerton children who were the central focus of previous seasons – first Daphne and then Anthony – have had very definite endings. That much is clear from Daphne’s exit from Bridgerton entirely and how much season 3 has sidelined Anthony. And it makes sense, once they get their happy endings, the story left to tell for them becomes less important, and they’re competing for screentime with the newly elevated characters.

In that respect, Francesca’s Bridgerton story is different. She’s the first Bridgerton to be married outside of her “own” season, given this was Colin’s, largely thanks to what happens to her in the books. And there’s a major hint of what is to come – and how much of a radical departure from the books it would be – in her final moments in Bridgerton season 3’s ending.

Why Francesca Reacts To Michaela In Bridgerton Season 3

In the final moments of the ball in Bridgerton season 3’s ending, Eloise and Francesca tell the latter’s new husband John Stirling that Eloise will be joining them in Scotland. In another unexpected change, John then reveals that their traveling party will be completed by his cousin, newcomer Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza).

She is immediately effervescent, and markedly different from her cousin, outrageously suggesting that “every sordid detail John has spoken about [her] is a lie… the truth is far worse“. An incredible way to announce yourself to unfamiliar company, and an immediate suggestion that Francesca is more at the Benedict end of the scale of Bridgerton fun than Francesca’s.

Francesca appears taken aback, and is unable to speak when Michaela greets her. But it’s not outrage that we see in her. Her wide-eyed reaction, and stuttering loss of words (handily reflected in Lady Whistledown’s voice-over) is more a hint of affection. Captivation even. This is a show based on romantic tropes and clichés (in the best way, I might add), and this was a major hint that Francesca can’t hide her attraction to Michaela.

Francesca’s New Romance Tease Is Bridgerton’s Biggest Ever Change

Warning: SPOILERS for Bridgerton’s books from this point onAs fans of the Bridgerton books will be aware, Francesca’s marriage to John Stirling is tragically short, as the Earl of Kilmartin dies after a brain aneurism just two years later. In “When He Was Wicked”, Francesca then goes on to marry John’s cousin and heir, whose name is a big hint for the radical change I’ve already talked about: Michael Stirling.

It seems that Bridgerton is setting up Michaela as Michael’s direct replacement, which fundamentally changes Francesca’s story after John’s death. There is, of course, the possibility that Bridgerton season 4 will not show John’s death, and will instead embroil Francesca in a love triangle, but either way, this will be a major change.

In the books, Francesca and Michael share a kiss, which prompts Francesca to feel ashamed and flee to Scotland. It’s not hard to see a path to Bridgerton changing that story, but keeping the element of shame for Francesca as she wrestles with her feelings. But even if John dies, and Francesca and Michaela get together later, it would mean that Francesca’s children from the books – John and Janet may end up not existing.

Bridgerton has changed storylines quite a lot, including Penelope’s decision to continue her gossip column, and Benedict’s bisexual tryst with Paul and Lady Tilley, so this wouldn’t be unprecedented. The idea of Francesca already potentially harboring feelings of attraction for John’s cousin before his death does somewhat diminish the tragedy of his potential death, but added drama is never a bad thing.

Bridgerton Author Julia Quinn Has Spoken About Making 1 Of The Characters LGBTQ

In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Bridgerton writer Julia Quinn was questioned on the idea of Netflix making one of the Bridgerton children LGBTQ and she responded positively.

“I love it. There is a gay character, Henry Granville, but secondary. It would be great if there was a protagonist. One of the things the series has done amazingly well is to perfectly mimic the kind of emotions you feel when you read a romance novel, which is why people read those novels. They make you feel good and the main reason is because they show a world in which anyone has the right to be happy. Being more inclusive, casting without racial prejudice, all of that contributes to that feeling. I am grateful to the Shondaland team for showing me what I could do with my books. The team of the series is huge, but I am a single person. Imagining a gay protagonist in ‘The Bridgertons’ seems like a good idea to me because the goal of the saga has always been to show that all people deserve a happy ending.”

While Benedict’s sexuality obviously aligns with that, having Francesca be LGBTQ would take it further, and the core idea that “anyone has the right to be happy” is a particularly wholesome one to crown Bridgerton‘s activist spirit.