Bridgerton season 3 introduces Francesca Bridgerton into society, and there are several ways in which she is and isn’t her sister Daphne’s replacement. Each season focuses on the Bridgerton family tree, with one sibling taking precedence. The most recent episodes primarily delve into Colin and Penelope’s love story in Bridgerton, as well as the third-eldest Bridgerton daughter and her first season in society.
Bridgerton recast Francesca Bridgerton alongside her first big storylines, with Eternals and Harlots star Hannah Dodd taking over from Ruby Stokes. However, there are several comparisons between Francesca and her eldest sister, Daphne, whose story drives the narrative of Bridgerton season 1. While there are similarities between the two and ways that Francesca is Daphne’s replacement in Bridgerton season 3, there are also elements to her character that prove otherwise.
Francesca Is Queen Charlotte’s Favorite
Despite Not Being The Official Diamond, Francesca Wins The Queen Over Like Daphne
Unlike the rest of her family, Francesca Bridgerton is rather different from her other siblings. As Violet prepares to present Francesca to Queen Charlotte, the Bridgerton matriarch worries about her daughter’s entry into society. Unbeknownst to the pair, Violet is right in her concerns, but for the wrong reasons. As each debutant greets her, the Queen is unimpressed with every candidate until the latest Bridgerton sibling arrives. When Francesca is first presented to Queen Charlotte, the head of the Royal Family takes a liking to her, at least more so than the dreary list of other debutants she’s facing.
Queen Charlotte has nothing to say to Francesca after their first interaction, but the smirk across her face says otherwise. However, unlike her sister Daphne, Francesca isn’t named diamond of the season. Violet and Lady Danbury begin concocting a plan to ensure Francesca becomes the diamond, now known as the “sparkler,” but the third-eldest Bridgerton daughter has no interest in the title. When Daphne is named the diamond, she is over the moon, as is Violet, but Francesca seems unbothered that she isn’t following in her sister’s footsteps.
In episode 2, Queen Charlotte hears Francesca play the piano and is in awe of her musical skills, telling her that she “sparkled.” While it isn’t an official nomination for diamond of the season, it proves that the Bridgerton girls know how to impress their Queen just by being themselves. Daphne may win the Queen over instantly, whereas Francesca takes a little while longer, but they both draw her in with their overall demeanor and appearance. However, the core difference between Francesca and Daphne gaining the Queen’s affection is that Francesca offers something more than just being a pretty face.
Francesca Has A Perfect Match She Turns Away
Francesca & John Clash Like Daphne & Simon Do
In Bridgerton season 3, Francesca meets her future husband, John Sterling. In her Bridgerton novel, When He Was Wicked, Francesca is already married to John, so it makes sense that the TV show is introducing the character now. The pair have many things in common – specifically, a love for music and peace and quiet. Their first interaction comes after Francesca steps away from Lord Samadani, feeling overwhelmed by his desire for a minimum of eight children. John is also looking for some quiet, and after they both acknowledge this, the two share a few moments in complete, yet unawkward, silence.
However, John visits the Bridgerton house the next day but suddenly disappears when Lord Samadani arrives, and Francesca takes offense to this. Much like her sister, Francesca misinterprets her love interest’s actions and thinks he’s rude and uninterested. In another mirror of Daphne and Simon, Francesca and John’s future in Bridgerton seems bright when they unexpectedly cross paths again. But after a brief failure of a conversation, Francesca tells her mother she has no interest in the man who the show sets up to be her primary partner. Naturally, like Daphne, others approach Francesca, but the instant connection isn’t there.
For example, Violet introduces Francesca to Lord Petri, a cellist. Although their shared love for music is apparent, Lord Petri is more interested in the story behind the piece and quickly loses Francesca’s interest. Of course, Francesca and Daphne both eventually realize their romantic lead’s true intentions, but the early days of their relationships are still strained. John and Francesca’s relationship in Bridgerton season 3 is more of a slow burn than Daphne and Simon’s in season 1. However, by episode 4, Francesca’s new romance in Bridgerton starts to bloom.
Francesca Doesn’t Love The Spotlight Like Daphne
Francesca Likes To Keep To Herself
In Bridgerton season 1, Daphne is over the moon to not only debut in society but also to be the diamond of the season. She excitedly embraces her future as a wife and mother, very much aware of her duties as a spouse and to her family. Daphne waits her entire life to fulfill her purpose, but she bathes in the spotlight and is enthusiastic about being wooed by several potential suitors. However, Francesca’s approach to her first season is very different. Who Francesca marries in Bridgerton isn’t a fear for her, but her struggles with social situations are clear.
Francesca clings to the edge of events like a “wallflower.” It’s only after some gentle encouragement and advice from Penelope about fading into the background that Francesca pushes herself to engage with possible future husbands. When she is met with too much attention at Lady Danbury’s ball, Francesca has to excuse herself. Francesca has a very different reaction compared to Daphne’s, who only misses out on the wave of suitors because of Anthony’s strict brotherly duties as the head of the family and his ridiculously high standards.
Even though she doesn’t actively avoid finding herself a proposal, Francesca doesn’t throw herself into her season like her
sister does. Francesca’s attitude to debuting in society is an interesting blend of Daphne and Eloise. Like Daphne, she isn’t afraid of her future or expectations and is actively participating in events. However, she wants the season to finish quickly for convenience and to end the process, not because of her desire for love. But like Eloise, Francesca isn’t naive to the societal structure she is expected to follow, which is why her mindset about her first season is so interesting.
Francesca Wants A Kind Husband And Not A Love Match
The Bridgerton Daughter Is Realistic About Marriage
Another big difference between Daphne and Francesca’s first seasons in society is their attitude toward their future spouse. Bridgerton’s season 1 ending sees Daphne’s desire for a “love match” come true, much like her mother and father’s passionate yet committed relationship. Their eldest daughter glorifies Violet and Edmund’s love, and while all of the Bridgerton siblings appreciate that their parents’ marriage differs from many others, not all of them want the same thing for themselves. Francesca loves her brothers and sisters but wants some peace, and she even tells Violet that she’s looking forward to having her own home.
After the ball, Francesca admits to her mother that the relationships she has witnessed, Violet and Edmund, Daphne and Simon, and Kate and Anthony, are rare occurrences. She feels that while their love is desirable, Francesca doesn’t have the same need for “butterflies” like them. Francesca is idealistic and wants someone who is simply kind. Even when Violet asks that she be open-minded to love, Francesca purposely gives a vague answer: “Let us see what happens.” Francesca’s point of view is refreshing, considering Bridgerton’s flaws, romanticized plotlines, and focus on passionate affairs, but it is very different from Daphne’s.
Francesca spends the first two installments of Bridgerton watching her siblings battle duty versus feelings, which also influences her opinions. Anthony, one of Bridgerton’s Viscounts, displays this struggle in seasons 1 and 2 through both his and Daphne’s storylines. The Bridgerton family is a big part of their society, but Daphne and Anthony’s choice of love comes with an awful lot of very public chaos. Therefore, it’s not shocking that Francesca is realistic about her future spouse, and even if she is to be as fortunate as her siblings, she knows it might not be worth the drama.
Francesca’s Storyline Isn’t Just Focused On Love In Bridgerton Season 3
There Is So Much More To Francesca Bridgerton Than Relationships
Although Francesca has a romance subplot in Bridgerton season 3, it’s not her primary storyline. Francesca’s love for music trumps everything else, and this isn’t a new character development. Francesca is absent in Bridgerton season 1 and studies pianoforte with her Aunt, and she misses a lot of Daphne’s first season. When she returns, Francesca is eager to play for Daphne and show her improvements. After Eloise’s debut in Bridgerton season 2, Francesca is again at the piano, scoring her sister’s dance practice with Gregory. Despite her lack of screen time earlier on, Francesca’s love for music is always present.
Even when Francesca’s relationship with John Sterling in Bridgerton season 3 progresses, everything always comes back to her and the piano. In the episode “Old Friends,” John approaches Francesca at the ball and hands her a scroll. Initially trying to brush him off, Francesca eventually opens the parchment to discover he’d gifted her a musical composition of a piece they’d heard in a tense interaction in the street. Rather than voicing her appreciation for John’s gesture and getting to know him, Francesca turns down Lord Samadani’s offer of a drink and rushes home to play the piece.
This powerful moment proves that Francesca is so much more than Daphne’s replacement in Bridgerton. Daphne’s priority is always finding a husband. Unfortunately, there is little else to Daphne’s character in season 1 because of her quest for love and Lady Whistledown’s interference impacting her title of Queen Charlotte’s diamond. Francesca, however, sees there is more to life than a partner. Bridgerton’s Francesca is mature enough to realize that she may not find a “love match” and so needs more out of life, qualities she shares with both Benedict and Eloise, and piano gives Francesca something else to invest in.
