In Bridgerton Season 3, Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and newcomer Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) have a relatively easy time. No one is thrown from a horse, like Kate Bridgerton (Simone Ashley) in Season 2. And neither party is holding a deep, dark secret, like Penelope Bridgerton (Nicola Coughlan). Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) even ends up quickly accepting Francesca and John’s match, paving the way for the sweet couple to have an intimate wedding in the Season 3 finale.
And then the final ball of the season arrives — and with it comes Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), John’s cousin. Michaela swears “every sordid detail” rumored about her is a lie. “The truth is far worse,” she says with a rakish smile. Francesca is left speechless and forgets her own name. That was the same reaction Violet (Ruth Gemmell) had when she first met her late, great husband Edmund Bridgerton (Rupert Evans). Hmm.
“Francesca gets together with John Stirling, and I really love that relationship. I think a lot of people will ship Francesca and John — as do I,” showrunner Jess Brownell tells Tudum. “But part of her exploration going forward will be about whether or not there is in fact something missing. Book readers will know what it means when she meets Michaela.”
Michaela is a gender-swapped version of Michael Stirling, a lead character in When He Was Wicked, the sixth book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels. At the start of that story, Michael is John’s beloved cousin and Francesca’s close companion.
Alli was delighted to welcome his on-screen relative into the Bridgerton fold. He initially met Baduza on her first day of filming. “We just hugged each other for so long, and it was the sweetest thing. I was like, ‘Oh, finally, you are here! Some family,’ ” Alli tells Tudum, sporting a perfectly fitted white T-shirt, “gummy bear–yellow”-rimmed glasses, and a warm grin. “I feel like — John, he’s just on his own, he’s got no family. None of his family came to his wedding, which is crazy.”
However, as Episode 8 comes to an end, John is literally surrounded by relatives. He, Francesca, Michaela, and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) all hop in a carriage bound for Scotland, where the Stirling ancestral home is located. So what’s next for this travel party? And what was it like for Alli to share the screen with Baduza? Keep reading as Alli reveals the secrets of the ton’s most mysterious — or is it just introverted? — family.
John is a thinker. So how do you think he and Francesca actually meet? Did they bump into each other outside, or do you think he noticed her earlier?
I always wondered, “How did that encounter happen?” He couldn’t have just been outside the whole time. He must’ve been inside the ball. I think he people-watches, which most of us usually do. I love people-watching. So he must have seen Francesca and thought, “Gosh!”
In the midst of this crowded room, he was able to notice her. He then proceeded to go outside as well. But I don’t think he had anything up his sleeve. I don’t think he had a plan. He just thought, “I don’t know what I’m going to do [but I need to meet her].” It couldn’t have been a coincidence.
We’re seeing parts of John and Francesca’s story that aren’t in the Bridgerton books. What did you want to bring to John?
The writers did a good job of expanding the books. I just wanted to capture the essence of who this John is, which is so different from who I am. But also there are some similarities. I know there are times when I can be quite reserved and quite introverted.
There is an amazing journey from the first time you meet him until the end of Season 3. He makes progress, with his confidence and getting used to the people in this world. He is just a likable guy.
Did Jess Brownell recommend any pop culture references for you to think about when playing John?
You know Matthew MacFadyen in Pride and Prejudice? He’s incredible. But it’s quite hard to describe his demeanor.
Yearning, thoughtful, pensive.
Yeah, that, exactly. I didn’t want to copy that, but John definitely had some influences from that movie, which was really, really helpful. So, thanks, Jess.
He’s such a private person, so why does he choose Francesca to open up to?
I think his previous experiences with women probably weren’t so successful. So he realizes he wants to be with someone who isn’t so hard to communicate with. John and Fran get along; they understand each other. There is a knowing. There was a connection even without words. That drew John to her.
That first meeting, when they didn’t speak, it definitely sort of ignited something in him, and it made him think, “Yeah, this is really different. I’ve never felt this way before or had these experiences with someone else.”
As Violet observes, that’s very different from her other children’s romantic journeys.
Francesca likes things to be really simple. John and Fran’s love is so different from the love that we usually see in Bridgerton. We appreciate that love — the longing, the burning, the passion, the clothes-ripping, and all that — but this kind of love is really soft, and it’s tender. And it’s so relatable, as well. There are relationships out there that are like John and Fran’s.
What a relaxing romance.
I actually got sent this post from someone, and it said, “Thank you, John and Fran … ,” and it was along the lines of “You are shining the light for introverts in their relationships.” That was really, really sweet.
Why do you think John was such an under-the-radar suitor?
He doesn’t want to be the center of attention, which is why when he gets married, he wants a small wedding with Francesca … His cousin, though? Michaela might be the talk of the town. She might be the one who gets the attention and I think she’s the polar opposite of John. She likes the limelight. She’s the loudest one in a room.
What was it like working with Masali Baduza?
Masali was amazing. We took loads of pictures. But we also spoke about “Who’s your parent and who’s my parent — and what’s the relationship here?” The more Masali and I began to work together, the more I was like, “Of course you are Michaela. You are who I thought you’d be.” It was quite a nice moment, actually: All this anticipation and then she finally arrives. I can’t wait for next season.
What do you think is ahead for Francesca and John?
It’ll be nice for Francesca to have Eloise come with us to Scotland — along with Michaela. It would be quite nice for them enjoy the castle. That’s a place where you can never get bored. There’s so much to do on the grounds, which is really exciting.
There will be less pressure for us there. When you’re in Mayfair, everyone knows what you’re doing. Everyone’s on top of each other. Francesca and John are not fans of that. So being miles away from the ton means they get to enjoy each other and actually just live their lives. They get to enjoy their marriage. Maybe they’ll pick up a hobby?
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Find out what diversions John and Francesca may might find in Bridgerton’s already confirmed Season 4. And keep coming back to Tudum for all the ton’s latest news.
