The iconic children’s show Arthur finally came to an end after 25 years, using the finale to jump ahead so that viewers could get a glimpse into the lives of the gang all grown up at last — and there just might be some queer coding in the mix.
The titular aardvark himself grew up to be a graphic novelist (voiced as an adult by the cartoon’s original voice actor, Michael Yarmush), and the fates of all his friends were revealed as well, with it looking like they’re all leading their best lives.
A notable glow-up for Francine in particular caught fans’ attention. The anthropomorphic monkey grew up to be a sneaker design, and some folks are point to her new hair and wardrobe style to suggest the show may also be insinuating she’s come to realize some things about her sexuality in the process.
Of course, we’re relying on some stereotypes and gaydar here (does that exist for cartoon characters??) but fans were hyped all the same.
If this were another kids’ show that started 25 years ago, we might not be jumping to this conclusion, but Arthur’s famed gay rat wedding episode in 2019 won LGBTQ+ fans and allies over with its inclusivity and disinterest in bowing to bigots.
“Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone” showed Arthur’s teacher, Mr. Ratburn, suddenly and very casually marrying a male aardvark and basically broke the internet. The show’s spin-off, Postcards from Buster, also included a lesbian couple briefly in 2005, although it wasn’t nearly as well received at the time.
But all this adds up to leaving no one surprised at the possibility that the creative team meant to set Francine up as queer-coded at the end — and may have even been hinting at the possibility of her and Muffy, as well.
It’s a bittersweet ending for a beloved show, but one we're glad to have gotten.
