Bridgerton fans, brace yourselves—season 4 might bring a heartbreaking tragedy that no one is fully prepared for, and it’s likely to hit us much sooner than we expected. With the show shifting focus to Benedict’s romantic journey in Bridgerton season 4, there’s already plenty to look forward to. But if you’ve read Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series, you know that Bridgerton has a knack for mixing heartwarming romance with devastating, unexpected tragedies. And, sadly, the latter is likely in store for one beloved character: Francesca Bridgerton.
Francesca’s story is one of the most emotional in the entire Bridgerton series, and it’s possible that the Netflix show could start setting the stage for the gut-wrenching event that happens to her husband, John Stirling. In the books, John’s sudden death is a pivotal moment in Francesca’s journey, and given the structure of the show, it’s looking more and more likely that we might see it sooner than we’d like.
John Stirling’s Tragic Fate in the Books
In Julia Quinn’s When He Was Wicked, the fifth book in the Bridgerton series, John Stirling, Francesca’s husband, dies unexpectedly from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. His death occurs at their home in Scotland, and Francesca is left utterly devastated. To make matters even worse, she was pregnant at the time of John’s death, but the stress and trauma of losing him led to a heartbreaking miscarriage.
The death sets the tone for Francesca’s grieving process, which lasts for four years before she begins to open herself up to love again. During this time, she reconnects with Michael (who, in the Bridgerton show, has been reimagined as Michaela), her late husband’s cousin. After years of mourning, Francesca and Michaela finally fall in love and marry, providing a bittersweet resolution to Francesca’s story.
Why John Stirling’s Death Might Happen in Season 4
While Bridgerton season 4 is primarily focused on Benedict and his romance with Sophie Baek, a key tragedy from Francesca’s future could be written into the end of the season. Even though Francesca and John are happily married at the close of season 3, Bridgerton could easily introduce a time jump in season 4, which would set up John’s death and lay the groundwork for Francesca’s arc in future seasons.
In the books, John dies shortly after he and Francesca have been married for two years. If the showrunners decide to follow a similar timeline, this would put the tragedy right at the end of Bridgerton season 4. This would allow Francesca to grieve John’s loss in season 5, before the writers delve into her romance with Michaela (who would presumably be featured in season 6). By ending season 4 with John’s untimely death, the show would give Francesca an entire season to mourn before she embarks on a new chapter with Michaela, without it feeling rushed or forced.
This theory also fits with the pacing of the show, as it would allow for a smooth transition into Francesca’s emotional journey. The possibility of a time jump isn’t far-fetched; we’ve already seen time skips in the series, most notably when Bridgerton season 2 jumped forward to show Anthony’s growing relationship with Kate Sharma. If the writers decide to follow the books’ structure while making the necessary adaptations, this could be the perfect opportunity to introduce Francesca’s grief and set up her eventual romance with Michaela.
Why This Tragedy Will Be Heart-Wrenching for Fans
Francesca is a character who has always been a little bit in the background of the Bridgerton family saga, which makes her emotional journey all the more powerful when it is explored in depth. Her relationship with John Stirling was one of quiet, steady love, and his sudden and tragic death will likely hit both her and the audience hard. Fans who’ve grown attached to her character, who has been part of the family’s growth and love stories for three seasons, will undoubtedly be devastated by the loss of her husband.
Adding to the heartbreak is the fact that Francesca’s grief will be compounded by her miscarriage—a deeply personal and painful moment that could be a pivotal part of her storyline in season 4. The loss of her husband, coupled with the emotional weight of a lost pregnancy, would provide a raw, emotional depth to her character’s journey.
What This Means for the Future of Bridgerton
If the writers do choose to follow through with John Stirling’s death in season 4, it would set the stage for a more profound exploration of Francesca’s character in season 5 and beyond. With the tragic loss of her first husband behind her, Francesca could be given the emotional space to heal and slowly open herself up to love again with Michaela.
Season 4 will primarily focus on Benedict and his love story with Sophie Baek, but the ripple effects of Francesca’s story may already be felt in the background. As Bridgerton has always done so well, it mixes romance with heartache, ensuring that each character’s path is filled with both passion and pain. If the tragedy of John Stirling’s death is indeed set to unfold in season 4, fans will need to prepare themselves for a deeply emotional chapter in Francesca’s journey—and it may just leave us all needing a box of tissues by the end of the season.
Conclusion: Not Ready for the Heartbreak
While the excitement of Benedict’s story and the exploration of his romance with Sophie Baek will no doubt dominate Bridgerton season 4, the looming tragedy of Francesca’s husband John Stirling’s death casts a shadow over the season’s conclusion. If this heartbreaking event happens as anticipated, it will mark a major turning point for Francesca’s character and set the stage for future seasons. But even though I’m excited to see how Benedict’s love story plays out, I’m also incredibly anxious about this impending heartbreak. Let’s just say, I’m not ready for the tears.
