The Mystery Bridgerton: Francesca in Season 3
Spoilers! For “When He Was Wicked” and future Bridgerton content!
There has been a lot of speculation around Francesca, the sixth Bridgerton child, and for good reason. For the first two seasons of the show, she was played by Ruby Stokes, who did a great job. I enjoyed her performance in every moment we got to see her, which admittedly wasn’t much. A recast comes this season after Ruby had to leave for other filming commitments, and we have been blessed with Hannah Dodd. I only know her from Anatomy of a Scandal, but I immediately fell for her as an actress, and in every look we’ve had so far, she looks like a perfect Bridgerton. She fits with the looks of the family well, and she’s perfect for the quiet, more reserved, but still greatly desired Bridgerton sister.
So as we get our first official look at Francesca in Season 3, we can’t help but speculate what her story will bring this year. We know from the officially released photos as well as pics caught from filming much earlier, the first episode will contain Francesca’s presentation. I would not be surprised at all if, just like the first two seasons, the very first scene is getting the newest Bridgerton daughter ready to be presented. It seems from the expressions on her family’s faces that they are a little shocked. I would not be surprised if Francesca does or says something that sets her apart in some way, thought I’m not yet entirely sure what that might be.
Our real look at her comes from a still from episode four, and there is a ton to unpack in this picture. She’s wearing a jacket that has the more structured look like Kate’s, or even Lady D or Violet tend to wear. She’s also dressed in Scottish Tweed, a clear reference to both her first husband, John, and Michael Stirling. In this picture, we also see her holding onto her hand like she might be playing with or twisting a ring. A lot of this leads me to think that in episode four, Francesca might actually be married. Whether that’s something we see in a Ton wedding, or possibly an elopement remains to be seen. Of course, she could just be engaged in this picture, telling her family of her very sudden choice. Perhaps it’s also none of those things, but the clues seem to lead us that direction.
What’s interesting, too, about her attire is that camellia pinned to her jacket. The jacket has a very chic, Chanel feel, and the camellia is the flower symbol of the brand. I think we’re going to see a lot of that influence in her costuming this season. I think that tells us more than just what she’s going to wear, though. Chanel gives a sophisticated sense, not girlish or young, so even though Francesca is a debutante, I don’t think she will be for long. Her elegant and mature attire shows us that she is not on the same journey as her family might expect.
Francesca also has one of the best and most beloved stories in the series.
That leads us to the people that might show up in her story this season. We have already seen someone that is suspected to be John Stirling, her first husband, on set. Victor Ali was spotted with Hannah Dodd during filming in what looked to be traveling attire, so it’s possible we caught a glimpse of them heading off on a honeymoon or up to Scotland to live. I think it’s fairly certain this actor is John, and that we’ll be seeing the start of their story unfold in Season 3. I think it’s very likely that we will get to see them court and get married, setting up for what’s coming with the beginnings of their love story.
Where things get more exciting is in the question of whether or not we will get the main event, Michael Stirling. I could see different and very good paths they choose here. They might give us a glimpse of John and his love story with Francesca without any indication of what’s to come. For show watchers, it could make John’s fate even more of a gut punch and keep us with Frannie’s own understanding as the story unfolds. However, if they decide to bring Michael in, it would be a massive treat for book readers and I think help set up her season extremely well.
Who might be playing Michael is a huge mystery. Obviously, following the books the Merry Rake is the most drop dead gorgeous man anyone has ever seen. That’s a tall order, but after the casting of RJP and JB as our previous leads, Shondaland and Bridgerton certainly seems to be able to deliver in that arena. One theory I can’t not mention is that of Masali Baduza, an actress who is rumored to be connected with the production and was possibly seen on set the same day with Hannah Dodd and Victor Ali, possibly in the carriage with Eloise Bridgerton. That could mean a lot of things, and while some have taken that to mean she might be Sophie, Benedict’s love interest, there is another possiblity. Masali could be playing a female version of Michael. How likely is this? I’d say pretty low. But while there is part of me that of course wants to see my favorite Bridgerton story brought to life just like it was on the page, there’s another part that so badly wants to see how things would shift with Michael as Mychael, or Michaela.
In any case, Francesca will undoubtedly be playing a large role in Season 3. The behind the scenes pictures that we’ve seen of the Bridgerton promos feature Hannah Dodd there along with many of the other main cast members. It’s clear that she is going to be a major part of this new season, and I think her story is going to be one of the absolute best parts.
