Replacing Francesca! Hannah Dodd Talks Taking Over Key ‘Bridgerton’ Role
Another Bridgerton romance! Following Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma’s (Simone Ashley) epic slow burn romance, fans have questioned if Benedict Bridgerton’s (Luke Thompson) journey to find love would be put on hold.
The season 2 finale, which was released in March 2022, ended with Anthony and Kate finally accepting their strong feelings for one another. After the older Sharma sister accepted his proposal, the couple happily enjoyed the next chapter in their lives — which included another iconic game of Pall Mall.
According to the Julia Quinn books that inspired that hit Netflix series, the second eldest Bridgerton brother would be up next. Ahead of the season 2 premiere, Thompson opened up about the pros that come with shifting the focus every season.
“I think the advantage of having a series where you switch the leads like that every season is brilliant because it gives it a whole new breath of fresh air. We’ve got a whole new family in there. Even just the feel of the show — it goes somewhere different, which is so fun to share,” he told The Wrap in March 2022.
The U.K. native noted that he didn’t ask too much about his character’s story line before filming his scenes.
“You don’t have too much of an inkling and actually, in a strange kind of way, as an actor, you don’t really want too much of an inkling because if you do, if you know exactly where you’re going, you can end up doing an awful lot of signposting and explaining your journey through things rather than actually just living it,” he explained at the time. “I think actually, in a strange kind of way, as in life, we don’t know what’s going to happen from one day to the next. It’s sort of better to not know too much.”
During season 2, viewers got to see Benedict helping out his older brother amid Anthony’s struggles with his love life.
“When you’re siblings, I guess you’re sort of made of the same stuff. You have huge similarities, which simultaneously makes you a really good person to confide in, but also sort of the worst person because you’re too similar,” The Club alum added about the siblings. “And so actually, I think what’s lovely about their relationship is that in all of those scenes, you sort of feel like the needling and this sort of teasing is actually their sort of way of understanding each other and themselves.”
Benedict, for his part, found himself confused when it came to his identity as an artist after being accepted into the Royal Academy. The second season ended with Benedict discovering that Anthony paid for him to join the school — which called their future dynamic into question.
“It’s really fun to play because it’s very complex,” Thompson said about the ups and downs between the duo. “It’s very difficult to get hold of and it is not a straightforward relationship. And that also makes it a lot of fun to watch, I think, because they don’t let each other off the hook.”
That same month, executive producer Shonda Rhimes hinted that there may be a story shakeup. “There’s 8 Bridgerton siblings so there are eight books. We are definitely planning on following each one of their romantic stories,” she shared during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “We are not necessarily going in order. But we are going to be seeing each of the siblings and their story.”
In May 2022, Nicola Coughlan confirmed that the romance in the fourth novel between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington will be the focus of season 3. At the time, new showrunner Jess Brownell, who is taking over for Chris Van Dusen, broke down the reason behind the decision.
“I really feel like it’s Colin and Penelope’s time. Because we’ve been watching both of these actors on our screens since Season 1, we’ve already invested in them a little bit. We know who they are as people,” she told Variety that same month. “I feel like, especially in the last season, there are these moments of tension between them where it’s like, Colin walks up to the line of almost realizing that Penelope has feelings for him but doesn’t quite get there. Instead of treading water on that dynamic, we wanted to push it into their season. It really felt like the perfect moment to tee it up.”
Scroll down for everything to know about season 3 of Bridgerton:
During an interview with Variety in June 2022, Coughlan addressed whether Penelope and Colin's romance will be super steamy or more of a slow-burn. “I think, because we’ve had two seasons of build up, it’s probably going to be the former. I haven’t read the scripts. I’ve just been given an overview," she said at the time. James Veysey/Shutterstock
“Francesca’s book is like a complete mix of the both [steamy and tortured],” Dodd told Page Six in June 2022 about preparing for her future season. “I’m, like, a massive fan of Bridgerton, so I’m like, ‘Bring on the steaminess,’ but then I’m like, ‘I don’t want to do that.’ I want it for the people who watch it, but to actually do it is quite scary.” At the time, the newcomer noted that she was getting ready to start filming season 3 in a few weeks. Scott Garfitt/AP/Shutterstock
After confirming in May 2022 that season 3's central couple will be Penelope and Colin, the Irish actress told Access Hollywood that she's been "mentally prepping" for the love story "for a long time." Coughlan hinted that the idea of filming NSFW scenes was "intimidating," but she was glad to have Newton by her side. "He's so great," she gushed. "I'm excited that it's the two of us on this journey together. ... Friends to lovers." LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX
After toning down the show's steamy scenes in season 2, Brownell hinted that Colin's story will feature less darkness for the lead to work through — leaving room for more laughter and love scenes. "I think of Colin and Pen as being characters who bring a lot of comedy to the show. So I think we’re gonna get to play a lot of that this season," the former Scandal writer said in May 2022. "But I want to balance that out with quite a bit of sexiness and romance. I think that’s so important to the show. We’ll get the chance to go deeper with them and push them to more serious sides and see what that looks like, so you’ll be seeing new levels." NICK BRIGGS/NETFLIX
Even though Penelope's relationship with her body was a large part of the fourth book, Brownell told Variety that won't be the focus of season 3. "We think that Penelope is beautiful, and I don’t think it’s really a part of her story," she explained in May 2022. "Her being a wallflower in our show I think is about her level of confidence more than it is about her outward appearance. So I think that’s more what we’re playing with this season." LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX
Fans assumed that season 3 would focus on Benedict Bridgerton based on the novel An Offer from a Gentleman. According to the book, Benedict experiences a fairy tale love story when he meets a mysterious woman at a ball. As he tries to find out her identity, the audience is made aware that it is Sophie Beckett, a new staff member hired to work for the Bridgerton family. After Rhimes noted that the show might not follow the books exactly, many viewers started to question whether Colin and Penelope Featherington's story was next instead, which Netflix confirmed in May 2022. Brownell clarified why Benedict's story was put on hold telling Variety at the time, "Well, we already differ from the books a little bit because we’re an ensemble show. The books really focus on one on one romantic pair at a time and maybe the siblings have a little cameo here and there but they don’t have full stories." Brownell confirmed that Benedict would be a "vital part" of season 3. Liam Daniel/Netflix
The Bridgerton family will continue to appear in season 3. Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), Colin, Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), Hyacinth Bridgerton (Florence Hunt) and Gregory Bridgerton (Will Tilston) have all appeared in every season so far. Penelope, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and the rest of the Featherington family are also expected to return. Bailey has confirmed that Anthony will come back following his marriage to Kate. Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) will also continue to make appearances throughout season 3. Liam Daniel/Netflix
In May 2022, Netflix confirmed that Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington would be the focus of season 3. The couple's love story was explored in Quinn's fourth novel titled Romancing Mister Bridgerton. LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX(2)
While the creative team have yet to reveal the season 3 cast list, future cameos by both Kate and Edwina are possible. “All I can say is I hope so," showrunner Chris Van Dusen told Entertainment Weekly in March 2022. “I'm not allowed to talk about things past this season. But I would love to see them a part of this show in the future.” While the former Scandal producer played coy about who’s coming back, he teased that their stories are far from complete. “Just because [Edwina] didn't end up married or in a match that we saw doesn't mean that she wasn't happy," he told the outlet. "She is a character who on the show, she really gets to be fully realized. And I love the fact that she has her own wants and needs and desires and feelings." Liam Daniel/Netflix
Ashley promised that Kate and Anthony will have an arc as newlyweds in the third season. "Yes, there will be a post-marriage Kanthony story for sure," she told E! News in March 2022. "And I'm super excited for the world to see Nicola [Coughlan] and Luke [Newton] rock it, but also to just play with the Anthony and Kate story now that they're loved up and they've kind of sorted themselves out." Liam Daniel/Netflix (2)
Following Bridgerton's debut on Netflix in December 2020, the series was picked up for three additional seasons. Though Netflix has not confirmed the exact number, the third installment of the show is expected to have eight episodes based on its predecessors. During an interview with Ashley in March 2022, the Sunday Times noted that the actress would be returning to film season 3 that summer. Liam Daniel/Netflix
In March 2022, Bailey noted that there was still a chance for fans of the Bridgerton books to see key Anthony and Kate scenes in the future. “All I can say to the lovely fans is that we know, we read those things, and we love them too. They are going to be laced in our performances and the TV show for sure, he told E! News. He added: “We know that, there will be a future Kanthony. There’s a lot of those incredible conversations that happen towards the end of the book, which I really loved, about mortality and the understanding they have for each other. I’m sure there’s going to be space for those now that they’re together, maybe we’ll be able to nod back to those scenes and bring them forward into the future.” Liam Daniel/Netflix
Jack Featherington skipped town at the end of season 2, but Young exclusively told Us in April 2022 that he wasn't sure that he was done with the regency drama. “[Jack] is definitely still alive — which is probably a one up from the first Featherington — so there is still hope,” Young told Us. “I still feel that maybe he’ll go back to the states and find his birth certificate. Then he can come back having somehow made money, maybe married a wealthy American, and he can pay people back. Then he will become the toast of London again — which, I think, might be wishful thinking on my part.” Liam Daniel/Netflix
In May 2022, Hannah Dodd was cast to take over the role of Francesca Bridgerton after Ruby Stokes left to lead another Netflix series. Stokes previously played the character in seasons 1 and 2. LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX © 2020
"The boys are back in town. ❤️ (No, I’m not going back to the show btw - the papers made that one up.)," Page captioned an Instagram photo of him and Bailey in June 2022. "But we had the best, and most stylish, catch up I’ve had in a while over some truly excellent Italian coffee and sunshine ☕️." Liam Daniel/Netflix
In July 2022, the cast took to the streets of West London to film scenes for season 3. First-look photos showed carriages parked in front of a building seemingly decorated for one of the show's trademark balls. SplashNews.com
Netflix announced in July 2022, as the cast began filming, that Daniel Francis, Sam Philips and James Phoon had booked recurring roles in season 3. Per a description, Francis’ character is Marcus Anderson, a “charismatic presence” who can light up any room. Philips, for his part, will play Lord Dealing who has “unusual interests,” while Phoon is set to portray Harry Dankworth, a good-looking chap who lacks wit and intelligence. O'Connor/AFF-USA.com/MEGA; Courtesy of Sam Philips/Instagram; Courtesy of James Phoon/Instagram
“Bridgerton season 3 filming has officially begun,” Coughlan said in a July 2022 Instagram video while sitting in a carriage as Newton stands at its door. “You coming in?” Of course, the presence of the season 3 leads in an ornately decorated carriage is a callback to Quinn’s Romancing Mister Bridgerton novel, in which Colin and Penelope have a steamy tryst inside one. “Get ready for the (carriage) ride of your lives,” the Irish actress further teased via her own Instagram post. Courtesy of Netflix/Instagram (2)
In July 2022, Netflix released a glimpse at the overarching story lines for the show's return. "Season 3 finds Penelope Featherington as she’s finally given up her crush on Colin Bridgerton after hearing him disparage her to his friends last season," the synopsis read. "Instead, she’s focusing on finding a husband who will respect her independence so she may continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, away from her mother and sisters. Due to her lack of confidence, however, her search doesn’t go so well." According to the press release, Colin will be "disheartened to learn that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder." His attempts to win back her friendship will include trying to "boost her confidence so as to attract" the perfect husband. However, things will take a turn when Colin "is faced with figuring out what his true feelings for his friend really are." Meanwhile, Penelope's rift with Eloise will push the member of the Bridgerton family to find "a new friend in a very unlikely place." Penelope, for her part, will struggle to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret. Liam Daniel/Netflix
“I’m so excited,” Dodd told TVLine in July 2022 of her new role in the season. “Everybody’s been so lovely. I just want to do a good job. … [Francesca’s story is] such a beautiful book and she’s such a beautiful character. I can’t really believe that I get to play her. I know how people feel about her as well, so I’m going to do my best.” Joanne Davidson/Shutterstock
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