Bridgerton picked the wrong sister for queer love story

No one should truly be surprised that the show version of Bridgerton is making a major departure from the books with the Francesca-Michaela storyline. This is the same show that embraces diversity and allows titles to be inherited through the female bloodlines. Showcasing gay characters fits the show's commitment to diversity -- and even as a big fan of the books, I can separate TV from the written page enough to welcome a queer storyline for one of the Bridgerton Eight.

I just wish they had picked Hyacinth instead of Francesca.

Showrunner Jess Brownell had a very good reason for choosing Francesca to tell this story. She explained to Teen Vogue that in reading Julia Quinn's book, she related to Francesca's introverted nature and feelings of being different as a queer woman. She also said she plans to stay true to the book, despite turning Michael into Michaela, in telling Francesca's story. That's where problem No. 1 comes in for me. (SPOILER alert -- if you haven't read the book and don't want it ruined, you should stop reading.) The death of Francesca's husband, her miscarriage and Michael's guilt over his feelings for her all come to a crisis point at the Kilmartin estate. Does that mean the build-up for the queer storyline will take place in the shadows of Scotland? This is a story that should be out in the open -- in London!

Character conflict also will be hard to build by changing the genders. A major part of Michael's guilt was the realization that he was literally taking over John's life as Earl of Kilmartin. And even the show version of Bridgerton has established that only men inherit titles. Then there is Francesca's desire for a baby and infertility, which also extends to her eventual marriage with Michael. As this is a world without IVF, it's hard to imagine how the show will stay true to this storyline. I sincerely hope they find a way because that storyline is important to all of us who have ever struggled to have a baby.

The other reason for not wanting this story told from the highlands of Scotland is because Bridgerton works on screen for its ensemble cast. And how Violet and the siblings weave into Francesca's story is equally important in telling a queer love story. As the mom of a daughter who is trying to figure out her sexual identity, I want to see the reactions of the family, and I will be highly disappointed if we get the same rushed experience that we had with Season 3. I still haven't forgiven the writers for shortchanging us by having Violet find out about Lady Whistledown in a letter from Penelope.

Which brings me to why Hyacinth's book is the better fit for a queer love story. Her love interest is Gareth, the grandson of Lady Danbury. How easy it would be to switch him out for Lady D.'s granddaughter. And how rewarding it would be to see Lady D. central to this storyline. Adjoa Andoh is an incredible actress, one of the best on the show, and she deserves the kind of storyline that will earn her an Emmy nomination. Having her champion Hyacinth and her granddaughter in the ton would have made for brilliant viewing. Plus, Hyacinth's story is told in London.

Hyacinth also feels like a character who can break the stereotypes too prevalent around gay characters. She is boisterous, full-loving, confident, and not afraid to speak her mind. Following the book's plot, she and her love interest come together to transcribe an Italian diary filled with family secrets. How delightful it would have been to see them solving one secret while coming to terms with their own.

That said, the die has not fully been cast yet. If Brownwell and her team can pull off Francesca and Michaela's story without alienating all of the book fans and some of the show fans, maybe Hyacinth will still get a chance to shine in her own ground-breaking storyline.