Bridgerton boasts an almost perfect reputation concerning representation, except for its treatment of queerness.
For two seasons, the show’s narrative contained zero traces of anything gay, which can be primarily attributed to its very basic premise.
A man and a woman must overcome some challenges in a highly heteronormative society. The climax is a wedding and babies, a word which might be the most mentioned after “Bridgerton.”
This premise left the show without any leeway to explore queer love stories. In Season 3, however, the first bisexual lead was teased in Benedict Bridgerton.
The closet was almost made of glass, given his “artistic” endeavors in the early seasons. It was never confirmed until he shared a kiss with another man and began an MMF throuple in Season 3.
In the same season, a sapphic storyline was also teased, bringing some much-needed queer representation.
It has been confirmed that Benedict will be Season 4’s leading man and his love interest, Sophie Beckett, has been cast.
It doesn’t come as a surprise for fans who have read the books.
However, it feels like a missed opportunity for production not to do something different and give queer viewers some much need portrayals on the show.
With Benedict, the foundation had been laid to explore a love story between men in that era and how they navigate their feelings.
Should ‘Bridgerton’ Have Kept Benedict Straight?
Admittedly, it would never be an easy storyline to craft. The show has almost shot itself in the foot by being that basic in its premise.
In every season, weddings and babies are almost mandatory. I fail to see a world where a gay love story has the same ending as a straight one in that universe.
Herein lies the problem with telling stories like these. They are so rigid and continue to marginalize queer characters without realizing it.
When the heteronormativity became too much, the Bridgerton universe tried to dilute it. A gay love story was introduced in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Given that Brimsely (Sam Clemmett) is still present in Bridgerton and Reynolds (Freddie Dennis) has never been mentioned, that story never had a happy ending.
The last we saw of something resembling a nod in their direction was Brimsely dancing alone in a secluded area where he and Reynolds used to dance when they were younger.
It’s quite sad now that I think about it.
This writer can’t claim to know how the story unfolds in the upcoming season. Still, I fail to see how any relationship between Benedict and a man doesn’t continue the tired tropes of bisexual characters.
The most basic version of this story goes like this:
Benedict finds a woman, but he has feelings for a man. His homosexuality is a cause of conflict between himself and his bride-to-be. He explores his attraction for the two genders but not without hurting his wife-to-be.
Eventually, he must leave the man since two men never made a baby, and it will be tragic since their love is so deep.
He makes peace with his choice but is a little heartbroken and has broken one heart.
TLDR: His homosexuality is used as a conflict for a heterosexual arc, and the story doesn’t have a happy ending.
There is another version where the show ignores this side and straight-washes him. I guess we’ll have to find out when the show returns in a few years.