Bridgerton author Julia Quinn has expressed her support for the Netflix adaptation to feature a gay protagonist.
Over the last three years, the Regency-era drama has ruled the streaming world due to its scandalous plotlines and glamorous backdrop.
The show has also received widespread acclaim from critics, with many lauding the series for its diversity and incredible performances from its talented cast.
However alongside the show’s positive praises, queer fans have also criticised the series for its lack of LGBTQ+ representation.
Before the first season premiered, a trailer highlighted a gay sex scene between two characters, but ultimately this storyline was side-lined.
Since then, fans have called on the Bridgerton writers to add more LGBTQ+ characters, with many asking for the series to include a lead gay protagonist.
Fortunately for queer viewers, their sentiments are shared by the author of the best-selling franchise, Julia Quinn.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan Spain, the talented writer revealed that she “wouldn’t be surprised” if a gay protagonist were to be featured in a future season.
“But I don’t know anything about whether they are going to do it. I’m not part of the series writing process, I’m just a consultant. I [read] the scripts when they are finished. That kind of change is up to them,” she said.
While she has no idea if the Shonda Rhimes series has plans for an LGBTQ+-led season, Quinn is in support of the inclusive idea.
“I love it. There is a gay character, Henry Granville, but secondary. It would be great if there were a protagonist,” she said.
“One of the things that the series has achieved in an extraordinary way is to perfectly imitate the kind of emotions you feel when you read a romantic novel, which is the reason why people read the 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.”
While none of the show’s main characters have explicitly come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community, some have speculated that the free-spirited Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) is queer.
Ahead of the release of Bridgerton season two, Thompson shared his thoughts on his character’s sexuality in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
“Benedict has such a lovely openness and fluidity about him generally, and that’s really, really fun to play because it could go anywhere. What I would say is that we’re only in season 1 and just getting into season 2,” he explained.
“People get very excited, and they want everything to be explored in the first few seasons and every corner of sexuality and gender.
“Obviously, there’s a way to go, so we’ll see what happens with Benedict, but we’re only on season 2, so there’s lots of space for him to explore all sorts of things.”
Here’s to hoping that Bridgerton will bless queer viewers with a lead LGBTQ+ romance in future seasons.
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