‘The world ‘isn’t ready for mixed weight romance’: Writer’s Bridgerton jibe sets off furious backlash

Their love story made Bridgerton’s third instalment the Netflix event of the year, racking up over 90 million views since its release in May.

But an article describing the relationship between the period drama’s lead characters Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as a “mixed-weight romance” has sparked outrage among fans.

The piece in US magazine Forbes claims their courtship “defied romance plotline convention”, as Nicola Coughlan’s character Penelope is larger than her love interest, played by Luke Newton.

The article was written with the headline: ‘Are we still not ready for a mixed-weight romance on screen?’

Writer Virgie Tovar, a self-described “expert” on weight bias, was slammed by readers for her use of the term “mixed-weight romance”.

They also questioned why calling attention to the characters’ size was ever necessary.

Fans of the hit series took to social media in their droves to slam the journalist and the publication.

One posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘“Mixed-weight relationships”, I hate it here.” A second user wrote: ‘“Mixed-weight relationships” is so, so, so funny… have you ever been outside?’

Another added: “Fat women really are just hated by society on a molecular level, because what the f*** is a mixed-weight relationship?”

Critics also questioned why similar pieces are not written about television romances between larger men and slimmer women.

“I find it interesting how there are countless fictional couples in film and television where the man weighs more than the woman,” one wrote.

“But people didn’t start writing articles about whatever the f*** a ‘mixed-weight romance’ is until it was the other way around.”

Another responded: “Funny. ‘Mixed-weight relationships’ have been on screen for a long time. It’s only a problem when the woman is heavy.”

Ms Coughlan has spoken candidly about her size in interviews, explaining how one scene where she was “very naked on camera” was designed to be the ‘biggest f*** you’ to all of the ‘conversation surrounding my body’ online. I thought, ‘When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f****** hot I looked.’

Forbes was contacted for comment.