Bridgerton season 3 is here and with it, the love story of the third Bridgerton sibling, Colin, will come to a happy conclusion. That is, after all, the way of romances. And then we move on to the next sibling, presumably Benedict, who has languished for far too long in the corners of ballrooms, trying to hide from well-meaning mamas. And if it is indeed time for Benedict to find love in Bridgerton season 4, then it would be the perfect time for the show to give us a Latina lead.
The high-profile Netflix romance adaptation has done what no one expected anyone could do, it has made romance accessible to people of color. The season 1 co-lead, British-Zimbabwean actor Regé-Jean Page was, after all, a Black man. The British season 2 co-lead, Simone Ashley, meanwhile, was born Simone Ashwini Pillai to Indian-Tamil parents. And though season 3’s co-lead to the titular Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan is not POC, that is, perhaps, all the more reason for season 4 to turn to Benedict’s story and cast a diverse Sophie Beckett.
However, considering the representation Bridgerton has given us so far in three seasons, the show shouldn’t just cast a person of color to play Sophie Beckett – it should cast a Latina.
We have, after all, yet to see a Latine character on Bridgerton. We have seen a little bit of Latine flavor with Pittbull’s “Give Me Everything”, which was featured in Bridgerton season 3. But we haven’t seen any Latine characters. And with romance being a form of escapism, but also a way of seeing ourselves represented that has been so important for so many, the next logical step would be to include our communities in this big expansive world Bridgerton is building.
Because the world Bridgerton has created isn’t just for people who look like the Bridgerton siblings. No, that world includes the Mondrichs, and the Hastings. It has a very special place for Lady Danbury. It includes Viscountess Kathani Sharma, now Bridgerton. And it is presided over by Queen Charlotte. So why can’t it include us?
And if that world is going to include us in season 4, and if it is going to adapt the third book in the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, titled An Offer from a Gentleman, the best thing it could do is take a page from all the other adaptation liberties the show has taken already and make Sophie anything but a maid. We might want a Latina in Bridgerton season 4, but one thing we definitely don’t want is a Latina maid opposite Benedict Bridgerton, not with the complicated power dynamics that would bring.
We’ve seen that in telenovelas, and we don’t want to go there again.
Let’s make her a governess, or someone’s least favored daughter but without taking the Cinderella comparison to the extreme. Our communities deserve a happy romance that isn’t burdened by the same stereotypes that have always been placed upon us.
And if season 4 is indeed Benedict Bridgerton’s turn, as it should be, let’s bring Sophie Beckett home and make her a Latina. It’s her turn, and it’s our community’s time to shine. A Latina Sophie Beckett would be a perfect place to start.
Bridgerton season 3, part 2 premieres June 13th on Netflix.
