Benedict Bridgerton’s Sexuality Mystery, Explained by the Actor

While many people highly praise the third season of Bridgerton, some fans are still on the fence about the bold choices the production has made in the second part. Deviating from the original Julia Quinn’s books, the show has introduced an arc of self-exploration for Benedict, and an entirely new character Michaela, instead of the novel’s Michael Stirling.

Though the discourse continues all over the internet, those fans happy with prominent queer representation that was long overdue are trying to guess what these twists will mean for Benedict and Francesca in the future. Luke Thompson, who portrays Benedict, offers some clarity about the way his character is portrayed.

Is Benedict Bridgerton Bisexual?

Given how repressed queer people were back in Regency England, there were no labels to describe the difference between various kinds of attraction. So when it came to Benedict Bridgerton, viewers had to make judgments based solely on what they saw.

Benedict shows interest in both Lady Tilley and Paul, and then adds that Paul could have been Polly, Patricia, or Peter. This has led fans to believe that he's either pansexual or bisexual, and according to Luke Thompson, the beauty of Bridgerton lies in its ambiguity. Simply put, his character's pursuits are up to you to interpret.

Speaking to Deadline, the actor explained that by labeling Benedict himself, he wouldn't be doing justice to his character, who could be much more, or to the audience, who have their own opinions and ideas.

“It’s up to you guys. I’m not gonna stand in front of it and be like, ‘This is what he is.’ Because that’s not how it works, or how acting works. I think it’s up to the audience. That’s what’s fun about it as well, because then like, everyone has different ideas, which is exciting,” Thompson said.

So Benedict Bridgerton can be whoever you want him to be. While it's clear from various interviews with the production team that the show has no intention of changing the identity of its book-accurate love interest, his romance with Sophie still won't take away from his growth in season 3.

If you're eager to find out if it's Benedict who will take the lead in season 4 of the show, and what Bridgerton has planned for his character next, be sure to keep an eye out for more news and behind-the-scenes updates.

Source: Deadline