The focus of Bridgerton Season 3 may revolve around Penelope and Colin’s passionate journey from friends to lovers, but the attention has also been directed towards Francesca Bridgerton.
Despite her love-matched older siblings, Francesca has taken center stage this season with her personal story of searching for a partner. However, she is not able to participate in the grand balls, courting rituals, or experience the trials of marriage like her siblings.
As Penelope and Collin’s romance unfolds, so does Francesca’s own story. However, it has sparked curiosity surrounding her behavior in the first half of the third season, particularly her interactions with others and her newfound love interest.
Is Francesca being misunderstood? Is she asexual or somewhere on the spectrum? What are her feelings towards love? Or is she just a unique young woman who stands out from the rest?
Is Francesca Bridgerton on the autism spectrum?
It is challenging to provide a straightforward answer to this question because the original books by Julia Quinn do not mention Francesca being autistic in any way.
A fan on X/Twitter noted that certain actions in the first episodes could be interpreted as “ADHD coded,”and others found them relatable to their own experiences.
Francesca’s irritation stems from hearing someone play a piece of music with incorrect notes and beats.
Thinking how John and Francesca are so autistic and ADHD coded. That scene between Fran and John where she tells him her thoughts on a musical piece and John quickly marches away as he looks at the player and later on we find out why he did that and I’m like…baby boy 🥹
— ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@messsolitude) May 16, 2024
The fan described how Fran visibly expressed her discomfort while listening to a musical piece being played incorrectly, and how she began rambling rapidly. They also mentioned how Fran and John both require quiet time and are easily overwhelmed. “My god, the coding is consuming,”the fan stated.
Despite being from the same family, Francesca stands out as the most reserved among her siblings. She is typically quiet and humble, preferring to spend her time playing the pianoforte. Additionally, she becomes easily flustered when approached by potential suitors and having to navigate the marriage market.
Francesca Bridgerton’s Sexuality
It is common knowledge among die-hard Bridgerton book fans that Francesca is not regarded as asexual.
Despite being known as one of the most sexually explicit books in the series, He Was Wicked showcases Francesca’s sexual knowledge. This raises the question of why she is portrayed as asexual in Bridgerton Season 3.
This can be attributed to Francesca’s behavior during the courting season. Although she participates in the festivities to please her mother and the queen, she lacks genuine enthusiasm for them.
To her, it’s just another ordinary day. She reminds her mother that a love like her parents’ is a rare occurrence and probably won’t happen often.
According to Hannah Dodd’s interview with Tudum, Francesca Bridgerton’s attitude towards her upcoming wedding is different. She is not filled with excitement and has not spent her life fantasizing about it. Instead, she accepts it as a natural part of life and is ready to embrace it.
Francesca is more likely to be an introvert rather than asexual. This is evident from her desire for alone time away from her noisy siblings and her preference for simple, uncomplicated stories, which is why she finds solace in John Stirling.
Unlike other suitors, John does not push her beyond her boundaries or bombard her with questions. Additionally, she is not depicted as having any sexual fantasies towards him yet, simply enjoying his company.
In a particular moment, he goes to her house and shares a moment of silence with her. This is something that they both find great pleasure in, being in each other’s presence without any noise.
Who is the first husband of Francesca Bridgerton?
John Stirling is Francesca’s first husband, as hinted at in Bridgerton Season 3.
Prior to the debut of Bridgerton Season 3, numerous viewers correctly predicted that Francesca would embark on her first romance. This assumption was largely founded on her choice to don tweed clothing, a material originating from Scotland, the homeland of her initial spouse, John Stirling.
Francesca and John, the Earl of Kilmartin, are married in her book storyline. Little is revealed about John, however, he shares Francesca’s quiet and reserved nature. As Season 3 unfolds, their relationship grows effortlessly amidst the chaos and excitement of the courting season.
Victor Alli, who portrays John, shared with Tatler that “although he is reserved, he still possesses a strong sense of self. He is charming and has a self-deprecating sense of humor.”
Despite the anticipation from fans, Francesca’s complete love story remains untold. Although John is her initial husband, he is not her final. According to the books, John’s life is tragically cut short by a brain aneurysm, leaving Michael to take on the role of Earl.
As a result of her marriage to John, Michael and Francesca had formed a friendship. However, they refrained from acting on their mutual attraction after John’s passing. Eventually, their love blossomed and they tied the knot.
Francesca Bridgerton’s Birthplace
Francesca, like the rest of her family, originates from Regency-era London and their family residence is located on the outskirts of Greenwich Park in the city.
The location of the Netflix series is a significant factor to consider. Taking place in London, the vibrant setting adds depth to the dramatic plotlines. Additionally, the Bridgertons’ close relationship with the Queen and the opulence of the time period only add to the richness of the story.
Hannah Dodd, the 29-year-old English actor, hails from Colchester, England. At the young age of 16, she was signed to Select Model Management, which kickstarted her career. In 2017, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Dance from the London Studio Centre.
Dodd also appeared in Anatomy of a Scandal as Young Sophie Whitehouse and portrayed Sandra in Eternals. Additionally, she portrayed Sarah Chapman / Cicely in Enola Holmes 2.
Francesca Bridgerton’s Season 3 recasting explained
Bridgerton fans are aware that Dodd was not the initial actress to portray Francesca in the first two seasons of the Netflix series. Dodd replaced Ruby Stokes, who left the show to play Lucy Carlyle in the Netflix series Lockwood & Co.
Despite her character Francesca’s supposed absence in many scenes of Bridgerton Season 2, it was revealed that actress Stokes was unable to appear due to scheduling conflicts with her role in Lockwood & Co. This information came to light after many viewers noted her character’s frequent absence under the explanation that she was visiting a relative.
Dodd replaced Stokes as Lucy in the first season of the series, but Netflix announced that the show was canceled shortly after. Despite this, Dodd continued to portray Lucy in the already-filmed Season 3.
Bridgerton fans can now stream Part 1 of Season 3 on Netflix, with Part 2 set to release on June 13, 2024. You can also find out why a major book character was omitted from the season, why Phoebe Dynevor will not be returning, and catch up on all the latest TV series available for streaming.
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