{"id":237027,"date":"2026-04-27T16:35:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/27\/shonda-rhimes-reveals-her-reaction-to-bridgertons-gender-swap-twist-with-francesca-and-michaela\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T16:35:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:35:29","slug":"shonda-rhimes-reveals-her-reaction-to-bridgertons-gender-swap-twist-with-francesca-and-michaela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/27\/shonda-rhimes-reveals-her-reaction-to-bridgertons-gender-swap-twist-with-francesca-and-michaela\/","title":{"rendered":"Shonda Rhimes Reveals Her Reaction to Bridgerton\u2019s Gender Swap Twist With Francesca and Michaela"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Executive producer Shonda Rhimes<\/strong><\/a> revealed her reaction to Bridgerton<\/em><\/a> gender-swapping character Francesca\u2019s love interest from Michael to Michaela.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fans have been so supportive of sort of every direction we\u2019ve gone with [the] story, which has been wonderful to me,\u201d Rhimes, 56, told People<\/em><\/a> on Sunday, April 26. \u201cI really thought the reaction to season 4 was extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhimes noted she was \u201cexcited for fans to get to see\u201d what was in store for season 5<\/a>. After seeing the initial scenes filmed for Francesca and Michaela so far, Rhimes said she \u201cloves\u201d watching the story line expand \u2014 despite the book to TV changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really excited. I can\u2019t tell you any story points because that would be spoilers, but I\u2019m really excited and we\u2019ve started filming and I think it\u2019s been amazing so far,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>‘Bridgerton’ Cast and Crew Discuss Gender-Swapping Francesca’s Love Interest<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tBridgerton surprised book fans by changing Francesca\u2019s future love interest from Michael to Michaela, but the show\u2019s creative team is excited about the meaningful swap before they lead season 5. Season 3 offered Francesca (Hannah Dodd) a much larger role \u2014 following a recasting \u2014 where viewers watched her fall in love with John (Victor [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Based on Julia Quinn<\/strong>\u2018s book series of the same name, Bridgerton<\/em> centers around members<\/a> of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. Each season is based on a different Bridgerton\u2019s love story with Francesca (Hannah Dodd<\/strong>) leading the way in season 5.<\/p>\n

Francesca originally met her match in husband John (Victor Alli<\/strong>), who died in season 4. While Francesca was meant to find love again with John\u2019s cousin, Michael, he got swapped for Michaela (Masali Baduza<\/strong>). Bridgerton readers were introduced to Michael in the novel From When He Was Wicked<\/em>, but the TV producers went for a different approach.<\/p>\n

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\n Masali Baduza as Michaela and Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton in season 4.<\/span> Liam Daniel\/Netflix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very happy for people to discuss and debate the show and our approach to adapting the books. But I want to state really plainly, there is no place for homophobia or racism or any form of bigotry in the Bridgerton world,\u201d showrunner Jess Brownell told Tudum in March. \u201cBridgerton is about love and inclusivity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brownell specifically defended Baduza, 30, and Dodd, 30. \u201cMasali and Hannah and all of our cast and crew deserve nothing but positivity and love,\u201d she continued. \u201cIt\u2019s been beautiful to see the way fans have already started rallying around them, and I can\u2019t wait to watch that love grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Which \u2018Bridgerton\u2018 Show Changes Received the Most Backlash From Book Fans?<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe Francesca and Michaela gender swap twist isn\u2019t the only change from the Bridgerton book series that have left some fans dissatisfied. Based on Julia Quinn\u2018s book series, Bridgerton centers around members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. Each season is based on a different Bridgerton\u2019s love [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Following offscreen backlash, Brownell stood by the decision<\/a> to make some changes.<\/p>\n

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