Hannah Dodd Joins the Cast of ‘Bridgerton,’ Replacing Ruby Stokes

Francesca Bridgerton is getting a new look for the upcoming third season of Netflix’s drama Bridgerton, with Hannah Dodd replacing Ruby Stokes. 

Deadline exclusively reported that Dodd would be joining the Bridgerton cast after recently appearing in Netflix’s Anatomy of a Scandal.

Her predecessor in the role, Ruby Stokes, who exited the series, is set to star in another upcoming Netflix project, Lockwood & Co.

The sixth-eldest Bridgerton sibling has had minimal appearances within the series. The first two seasons focused mainly on two of the elder siblings, Daphne and Anthony, respectively.

Francesca’s presence was mainly off-screen, as she spent most of the first season visiting an aunt, and the second season saw her appear in just three episodes before Stokes left to film Lockwood & Co.

The Bridgerton series, based on the novels by Julia Quinn, follows each of the eight Bridgerton siblings and their respective quests for romance.

Francesca’s story is spotlighted in the sixth novel of the series When He Was Wicked. The book details Francesca’s romance with the well-known London rake, Michael Stirling.

There’s much still unknown about the upcoming third season of the romantic drama. Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes previously stated in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that Bridgerton would not necessarily follow the order of the books going forward.

Regardless, Rhimes intends to give each Bridgerton sibling a chance in the spotlight. 

Of the sixth Bridgerton sibling, Netflix and Shondaland released a statement stating, “Francesca Bridgerton is a bit of a mystery within her chatty, extroverted family.”

“Despite her reserved nature, she goes along to get along when it comes to society affairs, fortified with a dry wit and pragmatism that confound the fickle ton yet seem to draw attention when she least desires it,” the statement continued.

This casting is perhaps an indication that Francesca will be more present in the series going forward. In addition to her role in Anatomy of a Scandal, Dodd has previously appeared in Enola Holmes, Find Me In Paris, and Harlots. 

Bridgerton is set to return to production this summer, with a release date yet to be announced. 

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The first two seasons of Bridgerton are streaming now on Netflix.

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