Francesca Bridgerton, portrayed by Hannah Dodd, and Lord John Stirling, played by Victor Alli, share a unique bond in the third season of the popular Netflix series, Bridgerton. Fans of the original novel series by Julia Quinn, on which the show is based, have been expressing their mixed feelings about the tragic trajectory of the characters’ relationship.
The Plot and Fans’ Reactions
In the third season of Bridgerton, Francesca enters the marriage market and finds herself being attracted to the introverted earl of Kilmartin, John. In Quinn’s sixth book, “When He Was Wicked,” which the third season follows, Francesca becomes the star as she marries John and moves to his ancestral home in Scotland. Unfortunately, John dies two years later, and his title goes to his cousin Michael Stirling, who silently adored Francesca but didn’t pursue her out of family loyalty.
Fans of the series have felt particularly emotional watching the couple’s on-screen romance unfold, knowing from the books that it has a tragic end. Several fans have expressed their wish for John to stay alive in the series so that his love story with Francesca could continue. The unique connection between the introverted couple has resonated with the audience, with one user stating that they are “falling in love with them and shipping them knowing how their story will end.”
Taylor Swift Ties In
Numerous fans also drew parallels between the couple’s tragic love story and some of Taylor Swift’s more heart-rending songs. Fans have used “The Prophecy” and “loml” from Swift’s album “The Tortured Poets Department” as soundtracks for fan edits of Francesca and John. Swift’s lyrics about lost love and dealing with grief neatly align with Francesca’s life after she becomes a young widow following John’s death and eventually develops feelings for Michael.
The Future of Bridgerton
As of now, it is not clear how deeply the third season will delve into Francesca and John’s story, or if Dodd will lead in the fourth season. Netflix has already renewed Bridgerton for another season with the scripts ready, but the lead cast for the season has yet to be announced. If Francesca’s story continues to remain in focus, it’s highly likely that Victor Alli’s character John will feature in some capacity.
The third season of Bridgerton is presently available for streaming on Netflix, with the remaining four episodes set to release on June 13.
Wrapping Up
Bridgerton continues to intrigue fans with its heartfelt and dramatic depictions of romance in the Regency era. As viewers await the release of the rest of the episodes this season, they can only speculate about the fate of their favorite characters. To stay updated on all the happenings in the world of TV shows and films, visit HitPlay.