Bridgerton puts Francesca (Hannah Dodd) front and center in Season 3 alongside Colin and Penelope … which is already making well-informed fans of the books despair.
Netflix’s hit romance Bridgerton is back for season 3, telling the love story of Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton). On June 13, 2024, we will find out how things turn out for them in part 2. But another Bridgerton sibling also takes center stage in the new season, giving knowing fans cause for concern: Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd).
Season 3: Who is Francesca Bridgerton marrying and what does this mean for the future of the Netflix series?
First things first: fans need not fear that the recast Francesca Bridgerton will not get her own Netflix season due to her season 3 focus. It still looks as if the series will stick to the novel scheme and film one season per Bridgerton child. Francesca’s book is the 6th in the series by Julia Quinn*. However, as her story takes place over a longer period of time, the foundations for her love story are already laid in season 3.
Warning, massive book spoilers follow:
(Francesca Bridgerton & John Stirling in season 3)
The Bridgerton family trees continue to grow diligently, but not always as expected. The reserved Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli), introduced in season 3, is of course a perfect match for the introverted music lover, which is why the wedding bells could well be ringing in part 2 of the season. However, the union is just the beginning of Francesca’s tragic story from her own Bridgerton book called A Gorgeously Wicked Gentleman .
According to the novel, the third youngest Bridgerton child loses her husband shortly after the wedding: John Stirling dies and then his cousin Michael pursues his feelings towards Francesca. The only question is whether this death will take place at the end of season 3, part 2, or whether it will merely be hinted at with a nod in the direction of (or even an appearance by) Michael, only for John to be snatched from life in season 4 or 5.
Incidentally, the fact that Netflix is laying early tracks for later seasons in Bridgerton is nothing new: we can expect similar dramatic twists later on with Sir Philip Crane, who was introduced in season 1, and another Bridgerton sister. Francesca Bridgerton’s story could be filmed by Netflix after Benedict and Eloise in season 6, although season 3 did not follow the order with the adaptation of book 4.
Insiders are already panicking about Francesca Bridgerton’s love story with John Stirling after being tipped off
With the inevitable tragic twist of Francesca Bridgerton’s widowhood after John Stirling’s death before she is allowed a second happily ever after with Michael, reading fans already have plenty of feelings for what’s to come:
“Miss Francesca. John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin.” pic.twitter.com/nowvarPuvb
– out of context bridgerton (@NoContxtBton) May 16, 2024
Miss Francesca. John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin. [Bursts into tears
There hasn’t been many ships this year that I have instantly loved like these two. Francesca and John have my heart and to know what’s coming… I can not BRIDGERTONpic. twitter.com/ajRneMmzTj
– ☁️ Mackenzie ☁️ (@MackenzieLBurns) May 19, 2024
There are only a few fictional couples I’ve fallen in love with instantly this year. But Francesca and John have my heart and knowing what’s to come … I can’t deal with that.
Fans have even found a cleverly tragic reference to Francesca and John Stirling’s brief marriage ending in death:
The fact that this small scene of Francesca sitting there foreshadows so much of her own eventual plot with John… As much as I want their season NOW… we can wait a little longer cause pain! BRIDGERTON pic.twitter.com/7H3CzazU2q
– ☁️ Mackenzie ☁️ (@MackenzieLBurns) May 19, 2024
This little scene with Francesca [with the marital portrait of her mother and dead father] foreshadows so much of her own storyline with John. As much as I want to see her own season NOW, we can wait a little longer for the pain!
“for michael stirling, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on francesca bridgerton” pic.twitter.com/TFGgcLOFjt
– francesca (@amymarchtv_) May 16, 2024
book quote]: For Michael Stirling, that moment [of love] came when he first laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.
