In any book-to-screen adaptation, changes are inevitable. Given the two different mediums, it's nearly impossible to add every little detail or manage every type of plot point, and this is especially the case with a series like Julia Quinn's Bridgerton (2020).
In some cases, fans are within their right to be upset because getting to see your favorite book come to life is a privilege that many don't bear witness to. It's an even bigger privilege with Bridgerton when the cast is so sensational and so naturally capable that we selfishly want to see more of them. And some changes fully make sense by allowing the story to shine as a diverse Regency world, unlike the very white version we know in literature. The ensemble storytelling also makes the series a whole lot of fun, ensuring that many of these changes are excellent and necessary. Yet, some still cause huge debates on social media within the fandom, and with Bridgerton Season 4 right around the corner on Netflix, now's the perfect time to look back at them.
Kate and Anthony Never Got an Official Wedding
No, the fake vision wedding doesn't count, and quite frankly, it's insulting that the dark-skinned woman of color is the only one who doesn't get to walk down the aisle on screen. Kate and Anthony's story changes substantially from their book, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and to a degree, some of the modifications are indeed better. However, the love triangle gets dragged on far longer than it needs to with the show's decision not to give them a marriage of convenience like the one that occurs in Season 1.
This change will always be one of the more frustrating decisions because Kate and Anthony's story was always about the eldest siblings connecting through their profound understanding of grief, yet the narrative decisions never allowed for those quiet moments to shine on screen. Many of us were also frustrated by the fact that they're sent to India at the end of Season 3, because there's only so much suspending disbelief one can do, considering the voyage to and from London isn't as quick as it is today.
A lot of their critical scenes happening off-screen is one of the more frustrating decisions on the show, and it's a real shame considering the electric chemistry between Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey. They're a fan favorite ship with perfect actors to embody the characters, yet at times, it feels like they were secondary players in their own season. Not to mention that Anthony is the viscount, and thus, he should be important in all seasons.
Colin and Penelope's Timeline Change Doesn't Stick the Landing
Penelope and Colin's story is a double-edged sword because some people really love how it's structured in the show, whereas others dislike it. As someone who adores them in the books, I personally appreciated the fact that their story takes place much later in life because it gives a true wallflower story by implying that she doesn't find love until she's in her late 20s. Charlotte Lucas in Pride and Prejudice had a point about 27-year-olds being considered spinsters because that was very much a thing in the past. And while Penelope is indeed a wallflower, she's certainly not a spinster at the age where she and Colin get together.
More than anything, this change felt like it was done because the Whistledown arc grew bigger than it was ever intended to be, and the mess sort of forced their hands into exposing her quicker than necessary. Regardless, some of the beats in Bridgerton Season 3 are great, but a large part of their story changes because it's rushed through.
Michael Stirling Is Now Michaela Stirling
This one's tricky because Bridgerton should have an LGBTQ+ ship, so in a lot of ways the change from Michael Stirling to Michaela Stirling is a welcome one. However, for the longest time, fans believed that Eloise would be the one to be in a sapphic relationship, and the initial shock could've been what upset fans by the switch. Understandably, Francesca and Michael are someone's favorite relationship in the books, so it makes sense as to why they'd be upset by the change, but this can be a good thing, so long as the show follows up with an earned happy ending.
More than anything, one thing fans hope for is the fact that Francesca did indeed love John, too. As an arc about one woman having two great loves in her life, I, for one, am hoping that we also see the love she has for John before her season with Michaela begins.
Marina Thompson's Role Is Bigger in the Show
As a character, Marina Thompson was utterly delightful, and her arc could've been a great contrast to the Bridgertons of life outside of high society. Everything we got with her pregnancy was heartbreaking and profound, and the story could've given us far more to enhance the story, but instead, she was reduced to a prop in a weird arc with Colin Bridgerton falling way too fast and then complicating the potential dynamic between his sister Eloise and her later husband, Phillip Crane (it might not, but it's still messier than it needs to be.)
In the books, Marina is present as a distant Bridgerton cousin we never meet, but in the show, everyone knows her. If Eloise's story does follow closely with her book, To Sir Philip, With Love, the show has to handle Marina's arc with a lot more grace than it did in the books. She is known to die of an illness, but it's also implied that she was very unhappy in the marriage, and that's not something that the show should keep, given everything they've already put her character through. She's always deserved better, and adding her into the story could've been great if it had been handled better.
Other Small Bridgerton Changes That Enraged Fans
While fans are now eagerly waiting for Benedict's story, his season was actually supposed to be the third, as opposed to the fourth. In addition, the Featheringtons were supposed to have another kid named Felicity, and I'm pretty sure we would've all loved her instead of the random heir plotline we got in Season 2 that no one cares about. The cast is so great that it's also understandable why fans were upset by Daphne and Simon leaving after Seasons 1 and 2. While it's understandable that actors may have prior commitments, I suppose it was presumed that we'd at least see the entire party at weddings and such.
One of the other frustrating notions within Season 3 was Eloise and Cressida's friendship. It could've led to a great redemption arc for Cressida by the end of it, but because that's not something that happens, it begs the question of why we had to see it. Similarly, I know a lot of fans would appreciate more flashbacks of Kate Bridgerton and her life in India. As the viscountess, she's crucial to the story, and the fact that we have absolutely nothing is disheartening.
And on a not-so-serious note, can we please get rid of acrylic nails? Yes, this show's more glamorized than other historical dramas, but some of the costumes and makeup choices are far too modern and thus distracting.
