Bridgerton season five confirms Francesca and Michaela’s romance, so what happens in the books?

In the Bridgerton book, Francesca eventually ends up with John Sterling’s cousin, Michael, which the show has now changed by introducing Michaela instead, and with season five confirmed to centre a queer romance, here’s what actually happens between them.

Francesca and John’s relationship remained one of the quietest in the series. There was no spectacle or drama, just shared interests, companionship, and a clear emotional bond. Francesca’s affection for John felt sincere, making it easy to assume that marriage was her endgame.

But in When He Was Wicked, Francesca and John’s marriage was never meant to last. Season four presented Francesca and John as a stable, loving couple. They split their time between Scotland and London, and Francesca seemed deeply comfortable in her marriage.

However, the season ended with a major turning point: John’s sudden death, which left Francesca widowed. This follows the books, where his death changes everything.

The season also focused more on Michaela Stirling, John’s cousin. Her scenes with Francesca were brief but important. That leads into Bridgerton season five, which Netflix has confirmed will focus on Francesca’s relationship with Michaela. Set after a time jump, Francesca returns to society for practical reasons, but begins to develop “complicated” feelings for her cousin-in-law.

This keeps one key idea from the books: John’s cousin becomes very important in Francesca’s life. But the show changes who that cousin is, and the kind of love story it tells.

So, what actually happens in the books?

via Netflix

After John’s death, his cousin Michael Stirling inherits the title of Earl of Kilmartin. Michael has been part of Francesca’s life throughout her marriage and, importantly, fell in love with her before she ever married John. Out of loyalty to his cousin, he never acted on those feelings.

Francesca grieves John deeply, while Michael struggles with guilt over his feelings and the fact that he inherits John’s title.

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Only after a long period of mourning does Francesca begin to think about love again. Her relationship with Michael grows slowly, built on friendship, shared grief, and honesty.

Eventually, Francesca realises that loving Michael does not take away from what she had with John. She chooses to love again, and they marry and have two children together, giving her a second great love and a different kind of happy ending.

But why did Bridgerton change Michael to Michaela?

via Netflix

In the Netflix series, Michael Stirling has been changed to Michaela Stirling, setting up Bridgerton’s first major queer romance.

Showrunner Jess Brownell explained the decision in an interview with Glamour, saying Francesca’s book already explored feeling “different”, which made it natural ground for a queer storyline.

“I felt like there was fertile ground thematically in her book to nod toward telling a queer story,” Brownell said. She added that it was important Francesca and Michaela could still be given a happy ending.

She also addressed concerns that this change undermines Francesca’s marriage to John. “The kind of love she has for John is very real,” Brownell said, explaining that Francesca’s story is about having two great loves, not replacing one with another.

Season four of Bridgerton is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.