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Following Ruby Stokes’ departure from the show, Netflix has recast the role of Francesca Bridgerton. Stokes, who departed the series to feature in Netflix’s new comedy Lockwood & Co, will be replaced by actress Hannah Dodd. A new actress will now reprise the role in season 3.
Dodd recently appeared in the Netflix series Anatomy of a Scandal as a collegiate version of Sienna Miller’s character Sophie Whitehouse. She also has roles in Millie Bobby Brown’s upcoming Enola Holmes film and the Flowers in the Attic: The Origins miniseries.
She’ll now play Francesca, a “something of a mystery among her chatty, exuberant family,” according to Netflix.
“Despite her reclusive temperament, she goes along to get along when it comes to society issues,” says the description, “armed with a dry wit and pragmatism that puzzle the fickle ton yet tend to gain notice when she least desires it.”
The producers sought to retain Stokes in the series, according to Chris Van Dusen, who previously told TVLine, “She was forced to come out due to circumstances beyond our control after exploring all other possibilities. Season three might be the lucky number.”
Stokes was only able to film the first three episodes of Bridgerton’s second season before being forced to leave. While Stokes will be missed by the cast and crew, Dodd has been warmly welcomed. Bridgerton’s official account posted a tweet on May 12th “Only a celebration is more appealing to the Ton than a controversy. Welcome to the Bridgerton family, the newest member.”
In other Bridgerton news, Jonathan Bailey, who plays the lead in season two, told Time that he won’t be taking much of a holiday this summer. Just two days before production on season three of the Netflix series starts, he concludes his role in the West End play Cock.
Despite the lack of relaxation, Bailey is grateful for all of the doors Bridgerton has opened for him in the last two years: “There’s that sense of taking stock, of making sure that I can fully realize all of these fantastic chances.”
Netflix is currently broadcasting the first two seasons of Bridgerton.
