The world of Bridgerton is known for its lavish romances, but for Hannah Dodd, embodying Francesca Bridgerton means navigating a deeply emotional and transformative journey. In the latest installment, Season 4, Part 2, which debuted on Netflix on February 26, 2026, Dodd’s character faces an unprecedented wave of grief and unexpected self-discovery. The actress recently opened up about the intense experience of bringing Francesca’s complex story to life, from her character’s stoic sorrow to a groundbreaking queer love story.
Hannah Dodd’s Unexpected Path to Bridgerton’s Francesca
Hannah Dodd’s connection to Bridgerton began long before she donned Francesca’s Regency gowns. Years prior, Dodd “quite intensely” auditioned for the role of Daphne Bridgerton for Season 1, eventually losing out to Phoebe Dynevor. Fate, however, had other plans. A few years later, she found herself self-taping for a “very secretive” project. To her surprise, it was Bridgerton once more. Despite an initial hesitation to revisit the audition process, Dodd “genuinely loved the material” and soon found herself cast as Francesca Bridgerton for Season 3, stepping into a role previously played by Ruby Stokes.
Showrunner Jess Brownell highlighted Dodd’s unique suitability for the character. Speaking later from Los Angeles, Brownell praised Dodd’s “subtle” acting. She noted Dodd’s ability to portray shyness without weakness, hinting at an “inner strength that’s waiting to blossom.” This nuanced portrayal was crucial for Francesca. Her character begins as reserved but is destined to face significant challenges, requiring a “fierceness to her to survive it.” Dodd herself felt the immense pressure of joining an established family dynamic. She aimed to integrate seamlessly and build chemistry with a cast she admired for their close bonds.
Francesca’s Devastating Loss and Unexpected Turns
Season 4, Part 2 plunges Francesca into her “darkest emotional journey yet.” Her storyline significantly deviates from Julia Quinn’s novel, “When He Was Wicked,” known as Francesca’s book. The series writers chose to depict Francesca’s courtship with John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin (Victor Alli), their marriage, and his sudden, tragic death in Episode 6. This deliberate expansion allowed the show to explore Francesca’s “immediate grief,” a period only briefly touched upon in the source material.
John’s death is depicted with devastating abruptness. He complains of a minor headache, naps, and is later discovered lifeless by Francesca. This immediate and final loss leaves Francesca shattered, with no opportunity for farewell. Dodd found filming these scenes, particularly John’s funeral, especially tricky. While she is an emotional person, Francesca tends to repress her feelings. Her initial reaction to John’s death is stoic and reserved, leading Dodd to worry fans might misinterpret it as a lack of love.
Understanding Regency Grief and Personal Trauma
Brownell clarified that in the Regency era, public weeping at funerals was taboo. Francesca’s reserved demeanor, while appearing “cold” to modern audiences, accurately reflects historical norms. It also represents how some individuals cope with profound loss. Francesca’s emotional breakdown comes later. It follows a traumatizing and “viscerally invasive, humiliating” examination that reveals she is not pregnant, dashing her desperate hope for John’s legacy. This realization leads to a complete emotional collapse, mourning not just her husband but her imagined future motherhood. Dodd describes Francesca at this point as being at “absolute ground zero,” yet also at a pivotal moment for self-discovery.
This intense period was compounded for Dodd by her demanding schedule. She was simultaneously filming Bridgerton Season 4 and rehearsing for a West End production of “Cabaret.” She recalls working “six or seven days a week,” juggling two vastly different productions and characters.
A Groundbreaking Queer Love Story Emerges
Amidst her despair, a crucial character enters Francesca’s life: John’s cousin, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). This character is a gender-swapped version of Michael Stirling from the books, signaling a groundbreaking development. Brownell revealed that telling a queer love story was her “first conversation” with Shonda Rhimes upon taking over as showrunner for Season 3. The aim is to further the show’s inclusive fantasy, allowing queer audiences to see themselves represented in a lead storyline.
The introduction of Michaela sparked excitement among many fans, though it also generated some online backlash. Dodd emphasized the widespread happiness and feeling of representation among those eager for Francesca’s “lead storyline” of “grief… self-discovery and guilt and confusion and love.” Francesca and Michaela initially share a complex dynamic. Francesca finds Michaela’s outgoing nature and disregard for societal rules challenging. However, Michaela’s “verve for life” helps to enliven Francesca, especially after John’s death. They form a genuine platonic friendship by season’s end, with a “glimmer of something else there.” Michaela’s decision to leave at the end of Episode 8 serves as “yet another blow” to Francesca, with its reasons to be explored in future seasons.
Exploring Intimacy and Communication in Regency Society
The show also delves into Francesca’s journey of sexual discovery, featuring “steamy scripts.” Dodd described a “pinnacle of awkwardness” during table reads for scenes where Francesca uncomfortably discusses orgasms with her family. Despite the secondhand embarrassment, Dodd praised the clever writing. It allowed her to lean into Francesca’s innocent demeanor.
Dodd emphasized the “powerful purpose” behind these scenes. Bridgerton aims to show that sexual experiences are “not perfect on the first time, every single time.” This narrative is critical for illustrating the historical reality of women entering marriages “so unprepared and so innocent.” Especially in an era where discussions about intimacy were largely taboo for women. As an introvert, Francesca particularly struggles with this sensitive subject. Her confusion stems from an “anatomical” lack of understanding, highlighting the need for John and Francesca to “close that gap between them” through communication.
The Road Ahead for Francesca and Hannah Dodd
The journey of grief is not linear, and for Francesca, the processing of her relationship with John will continue. Brownell confirmed that while the specific book for Season 5 is not yet decided, the writing process is underway. The narrative will explore the lingering impact of her profound loss.
Being part of Bridgerton has been life-changing for Hannah Dodd. She admits to still experiencing imposter syndrome, but she channels that pressure into motivation. Dodd finds immense satisfaction in her acting career, reflecting that Bridgerton now feels “like going home every season.” The stage is set for Francesca’s path to new love and a transformative future, promising a storyline “unlike anything Bridgerton has tackled before.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Francesca Bridgerton react to John’s death so stoically in Season 4?
Francesca’s stoic reaction to John Stirling’s death, particularly at his funeral, is a deliberate portrayal reflecting both her character’s nature and Regency-era social customs. Hannah Dodd explained that Francesca tends to repress her emotions. Showrunner Jess Brownell added that public weeping at funerals was considered taboo during that period. This nuanced depiction aimed to avoid an immediate, overly dramatic emotional outpouring, instead showcasing a character who holds everything in before an eventual, more private breakdown, such as when she realizes she is not pregnant.
Where does Francesca Bridgerton’s storyline in Bridgerton Season 4 deviate from the books?
Francesca Bridgerton’s storyline in Bridgerton Season 4 significantly expands upon and deviates from Julia Quinn’s novel, “When He Was Wicked.” In the book, John Stirling’s death occurs very early, within the first chapter, with Francesca’s story largely beginning after his passing. The show’s writers, however, chose to create an extended narrative leading up to his death. This includes depicting her debut into society, her courtship and marriage to John, and his sudden demise in Season 4, Part 2, allowing for a deeper exploration of her “immediate grief” and relationship before the loss.
What are the future implications of Francesca Bridgerton’s queer storyline for the Bridgerton series?
The introduction of Michaela Stirling as Francesca’s romantic interest, a gender-swapped character from the books, signals a groundbreaking queer storyline for the Bridgerton series. Showrunner Jess Brownell stated that telling a queer love story was a primary goal, aiming to further the show’s inclusivity. This development positions Francesca to lead the series’ first sapphic romance, promising a narrative that explores themes of grief, self-discovery, guilt, confusion, and unexpected love. It marks a significant step for representation within the Bridgerton universe and sets the stage for future seasons to delve into a transformative, emotional, and unique love story.
