Is Eloise Bridgerton Queer? Showrunner Sets the Record Straight
Fans have speculated for years that Eloise Bridgerton might have a queer romance, given her apparent disinterest in the men of the ton. With Eloise set to take the spotlight in either season 5 or 6, questions about her sexuality and love life have intensified.
“Is Eloise Queer?” Theories Explained
Actress Claudia Jessie has previously addressed the possibility of a queer storyline for Eloise, telling Business Insider:
There's a strength in her that I think a queer storyline can connect.
Viewers noticed that Eloise rarely shows interest in marriage or romance, fueling the idea that her character could be queer-coded. In the books, however, Eloise eventually marries Sir Philip Crane, raising the question of whether the Netflix adaptation might diverge from that path.
Showrunner Jess Brownell Responds
Speaking to Out Magazine, showrunner Jess Brownell offered clarity on Eloise’s narrative, emphasizing that her reluctance to pursue marriage is not necessarily linked to sexuality:
Plenty of people have asked like, 'Is Eloise queer?,' and I think like, we do sometimes think of this refusal to follow heteronormative standards as a queer statement," Jess said.
I think for Eloise, it's about her identity as a human being and relationship to society in the 1800s more than it is about her sexuality, specifically.
Brownell added that Eloise’s role serves as a counterpoint to other characters consumed by marriage, offering representation for women whose ambitions extend beyond romance.
Romance Isn’t a Priority
Eloise previously had a minor crush on Theo in season 2, but she has not displayed explicit romantic interest in any other characters since then. Jess reiterated that the character’s focus remains on intellectual pursuits and societal navigation:
She is genuinely more interested in cerebral pursuits at this moment," Jess explained.
Eloise is on a path of finding her place in a society that doesn't make a lot of room for women who care more about ideas than they do love.
A Space Beyond Romance
Brownell’s comments echo remarks from 2024, underscoring that Eloise’s storyline isn’t about finding a partner - heterosexual or queer - but about carving out a distinct identity within the Bridgerton universe:
We felt it's really important to hold space in this show where everyone is obsessed with romance for there to be a character - specifically a female character - for whom that is not the priority,
Eloise’s journey highlights a character thriving outside traditional romantic plots, challenging viewers’ expectations while remaining faithful to her literary origins.
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