Stokes (seen above on the far left), who plays Francesca Bridgerton, left the series to work on another Netflix project, Lockwood & Co., Deadline reported. Close fans of the show may have known about Stokes’ exit, as showrunner Chris Van Dusen told TV Line in March 2022, “I love Francesca, but we lost her midway through Season 2. After exhausting all other options, she unfortunately had to come out due to reasons beyond our control.” Stokes was credited as a recurring guest star on the show, which reportedly gave her the freedom to pursue other opportunities during her tenure on the Regency romance. The character Francesca is the second youngest daughter in the drama-filled Bridgerton family. Season 3 will see Hannah Dodd play Francesca. “The only thing the Ton loves more than a scandal is a celebration. Do joyously welcome the newest member to the Bridgerton family,” the Bridgerton official Twitter account announced. Dodd most recently appeared in Netflix’s Anatomy of a Scandalas the younger version of female lead Sophie. She also starred in Harlotsfrom Hulu as Sophia Fitzwilliam. Season 3 of Bridgerton is slated to begin filming in summer 2022. Francesca’s character is described as “a bit of a mystery within her chatty, extroverted family. Despite her reserved nature, she goes along to get along when it comes to society affairs, fortified with a dry wit and pragmatism that confound the fickle ton yet seem to draw attention when she least desires it.” Bridgerton has been renewed through Season 4 so far. Depending on whether they follow the sequence of the books, it remains to be seen if Francesca’s story, When He Was Wicked, will be told, as it is the sixth book in author Julia Quinn’s series. Next, get all the gossip on Netflix’s Bridgerton prequel!
