While her siblings are getting huge, compelling love stories, Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) is quietly winning the relationship game.
The sixth Bridgerton is very different from her more outspoken siblings. Francesca is reserved and quiet, her main motivation in life is the piano, and she is most passionate when discussing the nuances of music theory. Whether the attention is good or bad, she’s not really excited about the season. Even if the Queen discovers her musical talents, calls her the “diamond” of the season and puts her in the spotlight, Francesca would rather not be here, thank you very much.
It is in a quiet moment, away from a busy ballroom, where she meets John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin (Victor Alli). The two have an instant bond – one that sparks without either of them sharing a word and instead just enjoying each other’s company in shared silence. It’s an intimacy that takes many couples years to achieve, but Francesca and Lord Kilmartin fall into it easily.
Image: Netflix
As a romantic show, Bridgerton is mainly concerned with dramatic love stories and grand displays of affection. Daphne, Anthony and now Colin have all had big, epic love stories – the kind that involve tearful confessions and sweeping declarations of love. But Francesca’s becomes quieter and more subdued. It’s a nice contrast to the other romances on the show, and that’s what makes it so special.
“There’s a lot of emphasis on passionate love,” showrunner Jess Brownell explained IndieWire. “Love is thrilling and exciting, but there are other types of love that are just as valid, meaningful and deep. And so it really makes sense to explore a relationship for Francesca that is much more based on camaraderie, friendship, common interests, respect and attraction, but perhaps not like a bolt from the sky. And I think it’s nice to make room for that.”
The quieter, gentler romance of Francesca and Lord Kilmartin grows slowly in the background alongside Penelope and Colin’s flashy story, but that doesn’t make it any less romantic. In fact, the most romantic gesture in the entire show isn’t Anthony and Kate’s verbal sparring, or Colin’s confession of love, or the Duke of Hastings telling Daphne he’s on fire for her. It’s the moment when Lord Kilmartin shows up to the ball with sheet music in his hands, arranged exactly as Francesca imagined it.
Photo: Liam Daniel/Netflix
“We talked a lot in the writers’ room about love languages and John being a man of service or a man of gifts, rather than a man of words or physical touch. And I think Francesca probably has a similar love language. So when he offers her that music, it’s another silent gesture that says a thousand words,” Brownell said.
It speaks to how compatible the two are. Just because there is no anxious desire or clandestine hookups doesn’t mean the attraction isn’t there. It just manifests itself in a different way, one that catches the quiet and reserved Francesca off guard, but in a way that doesn’t cause her to stumble and fall. Bridgerton has its share of over-the-top misunderstandings and tense emotions, designed to facilitate the most dramatic plots possible. Having a couple that is stable, solid and generally undramatic sets the stage for the stormy storylines. In fact, such steadfast love is something the more dramatic Bridgerton siblings should aspire to – after all, when that white-hot passion cools, it’s good to keep some kindling burning steadily to fuel the rest of the romance.
Bridgerton season 3a is now on Netflix. The four episodes of season 3b will premiere on June 13.