In the wake of Bridgerton's fourth season finale, which aired on Netflix and concluded on Thursday, February 26, stars Masali Baduza and Hannah Dodd have come forward to defend the show's controversial decision to gender-swap Francesca Bridgerton's love interest from Michael to Michaela. The change, introduced in season 3, has sparked debate among fans of Julia Quinn's original novels, particularly those attached to the book series' portrayal in When He Was Wicked. Baduza, who plays Michaela Stirling, and Dodd, who portrays Francesca, emphasized the importance of queer representation in their discussions with Refinery29 Australia following the season's end.
"I understand that the Bridgerton book fans are very passionate about these characters, and I am too," Baduza, 28, told the outlet. She expressed pride in bringing a queer narrative to the screen, stating, "everyone’s story deserves to be told." Baduza highlighted her affection for the character, adding, "I love Michaela so much, and I am just very proud to tell the story alongside Hannah. In Bridgerton, a lot of the characters are growing into themselves and learning new things about themselves."
Dodd echoed her co-star's sentiments, acknowledging the existence of the original book while championing the adaptation's direction. "The book will always exist as well," Dodd, 30, said, "[but] I’m really, really excited to tell this story and also give it the platform it deserves, like a leading story line, not additional characters." Baduza reinforced this by noting, "Everyone deserves to be represented. I think we’re excited to see these stories get told." Their comments come amid backlash from some book purists who have expressed disappointment over the alteration to a key romantic arc.
The gender swap was not a last-minute decision but part of showrunner Jess Brownell's vision from the series' early days. Brownell revealed in a June 2024 interview with Teen Vogue that she had been pitching the change "from season 1 of the show." She explained her approach: "My approach to telling a queer story on Bridgerton has been to look to the books for thematic cues. I didn’t want to just insert a queer character for queer character’s sake." Brownell stressed the thematic alignment with the source material, aiming to expand on elements of self-discovery present in Quinn's novels.
Crucially, Brownell secured approval from the author herself before proceeding. "In, for example, deciding to tell a queer story with Francesca, I spoke with Julia Quinn, I got her blessing," she told Teen Vogue. Addressing potential fan divisions, Brownell noted, "The fact of the matter is, the fan base is not a monolith, and you’re never going to please every single side of the fan base." She added that similar discontent arises with adaptations of any book, but her choices were guided by "story, and it came back to character."
Julia Quinn herself addressed the adaptation concerns in a statement posted to Instagram in June 2025. "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," she wrote. Quinn highlighted enhancements in the show, saying, "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." Her endorsement underscores the collaborative spirit between the author and the production team.
In season 3, which premiered earlier, the series introduced significant expansions to Francesca's storyline. Viewers saw her debut into society and subsequent marriage to John Stirling, played by Victor Alli. The couple's relationship was portrayed with depth, including their plans for the future, before the introduction of John's cousin Michaela—reimagined from the book's Michael—as Francesca's eventual love interest. This setup builds tension and emotional complexity, diverging from the novel where Michael is male and the romance unfolds differently after John's death.
Brownell has also defended other deviations from Quinn's novels in season 4, particularly the omission of Francesca's pregnancy and miscarriage subplots. Speaking to Swooon, she explained, "Ultimately, I think John’s death and the funeral are already in so many ways such a departure from the tone of the show." Describing the miscarriage storyline as "too morbid," Brownell said, "We’re still very interested in honoring the fertility story line. It’s something we tried to honor this season, and we will continue honoring in her future season. But yeah, the miscarriage just felt like, for the screen, a bit too far. I think it would be difficult for Fran to come back from all that."
These changes reflect the show's broader strategy to adapt the Regency-era romance for modern audiences, emphasizing inclusivity and emotional resonance over strict fidelity to the page. Baduza touched on this evolution in her interview, saying, "I think that the show accepts that [characters growing into themselves], I think it’s important for everyone else to accept that too, and hopefully that can be reflected back into society." The actresses' defense positions the gender swap as a vital step toward broader representation in mainstream television.
While some fans have voiced frustration online and in fan forums, particularly those who prefer the original heterosexual romance, others have praised the show for its progressive storytelling. The production's commitment to queer narratives builds on previous seasons' explorations, such as the romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, which also incorporated diverse elements not central to the books. Brownell's comments suggest that future seasons will continue this trend, potentially delving deeper into Francesca and Michaela's relationship.
The Bridgerton universe, created by Shonda Rhimes and produced by Shondaland, has become a cultural phenomenon since its 2020 debut, drawing millions of viewers with its lavish costumes, diverse casting, and steamy plots. Season 4's focus on Francesca marks a pivotal expansion, giving her the spotlight after supporting roles in earlier installments. With John Stirling's character receiving more development—portrayed sympathetically by Alli—the season sets up a poignant exploration of love, loss, and identity.
As the series streams exclusively on Netflix, fan reactions continue to pour in, with social media buzzing about the finale's twists. Baduza and Dodd's interviews provide a window into the cast's passion for the project, countering criticism with optimism about its societal impact. Quinn's support further legitimizes the changes, assuring book lovers that the core emotional beats remain intact.
Looking ahead, Brownell has hinted at ongoing fertility themes in Francesca's arc, ensuring that elements of the original story persist without the darker elements. The decision to foreground queer stories as "leading story lines," as Dodd described, signals Bridgerton's intent to lead in representation within period dramas. Whether this bold adaptation will sway detractors or solidify the show's fanbase remains to be seen, but the conversation it has ignited underscores the evolving nature of literary adaptations in the streaming era.
For now, Bridgerton season 4 is available for streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to experience Francesca's journey firsthand. As the series progresses toward potential future seasons, the defense from its stars and creators highlights a unified front in favor of inclusive storytelling that resonates beyond the ton.