Bridgerton Season 4 has finally arrived on Netflix, and while the spotlight is on Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and his love story with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), another relationship has viewers talking. The show is taking a deeper look at Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and her husband John Stirling (Victor Alli), and it is not the typical passionate romance the series is known for. Showrunner Jess Brownell is opening up about why this couple’s journey is so important and different from what fans have seen before.
A Different Kind of Love Story for Francesca and John
The first part of Bridgerton Season 4 shows Francesca and John as newlyweds who share a quiet, comfortable love built on mutual respect and a shared appreciation for music and silence. But their relationship hits a bump when they struggle to connect intimately. Francesca realizes she has not reached her “pinnacle” during their time together, leading to honest conversations between the couple.
Brownell wanted to show a side of romance that is rarely depicted on screen. In an interview, she explained the thinking behind this storyline.
“[We’re] more organically wanting to explore different kinds of intimacy from different characters,” Brownell said. “The Francesca story specifically I’m really excited about because I think on the show, obviously, people are always having magical simultaneous orgasms, and that fantasy is really fun, but also it doesn’t represent accurately most women’s experience.”
The showrunner stressed that this struggle does not mean there is anything wrong with Francesca and John’s marriage. Instead, it is about showing a realistic issue that many couples face.
“I hope it’s very clear from our storytelling that we’re not trying to indicate that, just because she can’t have an orgasm, that it means there’s something wrong with her relationship with John,” Brownell continued. “They just have a different kind of slow-growing passion. Her situation is really common, and I think it’s great to represent all different types of love and different types of intimacy on screen.”
Hannah Dodd, who plays Francesca, shared her thoughts on her character’s marriage. She told TODAY.com that Francesca is learning that a “relationship is work, and you have to continue to work at it every single day.” Dodd added that it is “lovely to see these two people who met not that long ago working on it and having the bravery and the courage to discuss their needs and intimate needs as well.”
Showrunner Addresses Fan Questions About Francesca’s Sexuality
Some viewers have connected Francesca’s difficulty in the bedroom to her sexuality, especially after the show introduced Michaela (Masali Baduza)—a gender-swapped version of John’s cousin Michael from the books. In Julia Quinn’s novel When He Was Wicked, Francesca eventually finds love with Michael after John’s tragic death.
Brownell was quick to clarify that the two storylines are separate—at least for now.
“I would like to separate [Francesca’s] pinnacle troubles out from her relationship with John,” Brownell mentioned in a separate interview to TVLine. “Her pinnacle troubles are a representation of the millions of women for whom orgasm from penetrative sex alone is merely impossible.”
The showrunner urged fans not to blame John for the situation. She praised the character for being supportive and understanding when Francesca opens up to him about her feelings.
“I believe the love between them is very real,” she shared. “Love comes in many forms and it’s important to leave it open to viewers for them to form their own understanding about what the specific type of love Fran and John share is.”
Brownell also explained that Francesca’s personal journey plays a big role.
“It’s probably a combination of the fact that it is a common problem and also a problem that feels really specific to who Francesca is as a character. I wouldn’t say it’s about John vs. Michaela necessarily, but I think Fran is someone who is not in touch with herself, literally or metaphorically, and that may be part of the reason she’s unable to orgasm.”
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What Francesca’s Story Means for the Future
Bridgerton has already been renewed for Seasons 5 and 6, and Brownell confirmed at the Season 4 premiere that Eloise and Francesca will each get their own season, though the order is not yet set. This means there is plenty of time to explore Francesca’s full journey, including whatever may happen with Michaela down the road.
The return of Michaela at the end of Season 4 Part 1 has set the stage for future drama. Francesca is clearly flustered by her presence, and John even mentioned that Francesca kept her distance from Michaela while they were living in Scotland.
Hannah Dodd described Michaela as someone who “stirs something up” in Francesca. “Francesca lives her life in quite a regimented way, and she’s a rule follower, and she puts herself in these boxes,” Dodd told TODAY.com. “Michaela is the complete opposite of that.”
For now, Bridgerton Season 4 is giving audiences time to appreciate Francesca and John’s connection. The showrunner wants viewers to see the value in their quiet, steady love—even if it looks different from the fiery romances of other Bridgerton siblings.
Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 is streaming now on Netflix. Part 2 will arrive on February 26, 2026.
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