The show is fundamentally different from the books
The discourse surrounding the book and movie discrepancies has obviously been around for quite some time now. It is generally agreed upon that season one was the most book accurate, and the following seasons strayed further and further from their original stories. While this is true, the show takes necessary steps to depict a story that holds up to today’s standards.
The series began and finished before a large portion of the show watchers were even old enough to read them. The show only aired six years ago: 14 years after the series ended. Times have changed, and a good bit of what worked in the books does not translate well to a modern television audience. That’s not to say that the entire story should change now that society is socially conscious, but it is the duty of the showrunner and writers to be semi-aware of these changes and the ways they may be received.
We have so much more exposure to divers experiences and cultures now that it would be a disservice to the viewer to not take that into account. Julia clearly enjoys the changes that have been made to HER characters and their stories. There so many people who can now enjoy this story because of these changes and the representation they offer, yet many people in the fandom view it as unnecessary and unfair.
And with these necessary adjustments comes changes to plot points to create a cohesive story. Yes, if a character’s motivations change they will have to explain that change in order for it to fit the story. And yes, this may result in a character getting screen time in a season that is not theirs. And YES, it may also result in storylines being switched around. Not to mention that there are characters missing and some added.
Benophie being pushed back worker because they needed to build Benedict’s INDIVIDUAL arch. Philloise being pushed back allows Eloise to develop since she’s more of a “feminist” in the show. She’s got to work out her own stuff first. And Francesca does need a bit more build up in the show than in the movie because the gender swap adds depth to her character that must be explored. Without the moving around and extra screen time for some of these characters, their stories do not make sense logically or logistically.
The show treats the characters as individuals at times that the books did not. Many fans only see the couple and the romance, not the individual. Obviously there is much more to it, but on a fundamental note, the show is different from the books and it cannot reverse that. It’s going to continue to be different and some people are going to be able to connect with the changes in a way that they could not before. And to those who feel their representation has been taken away because they have chosen to be inclusive: I assure you, there are other options.