Bridgerton fans have rejoiced that season 3 is now on streaming. With Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s romance in the forefront, some fans are wondering if his sister Francesca Bridgerton is autistic after showcasing her blooming romance.
Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) makes her debut in society and is actively finding a suitor. Queen Charlotte doesn’t find a diamond of the season, but Francesca develops a crush on John Stirling (Victor Alli), a quiet man she’s fond of playing piano with. Though her actions might seem louder than words, many fans took to note that Fran is pretty reserved compared to her siblings’ romances.
One viral tweet that’s making the rounds on X says, “Can we just talk about the disability representation in #BridgertonS3 for a minute? Not only is there a deaf actress using BSL to communicate on-screen, there’s also an eligible suitor in a wheelchair. Not to mention the fact that Fran & John are autistic coded AF. 😭”
Is Francesca Bridgerton autistic?
Bridgerton, the TV series doesn’t outrightly say that Francesca is autistic. In the books, she’s described as introverted and very introspective. However, fans were quick to clock in several traits that were “autistic coded.”
One fan wrote, “Thinking how John and Francesca are so autistic and ADHD coded. That scene between Fran and John where she tells him her thoughts on a musical piece and John quickly marches away as he looks at the player and later on we find out why he did that and I’m like…baby boy 🥹”
Another fan on Reddit pointed out that her behaviors match up with what can be shown on the neurodivergent spectrum. “I very much read her as on the spectrum and it makes me so happy to see representation like this,” they wrote. “Most representation is showing people stereotypically on the spectrum and not a subtle, masking representation (like Francesca). It shows a much more realistic view. A lot of autistic people by her age are pretty good at masking and just read as introverts with specific hobbies or interests or something like her.”
Though many fans agreed, there were still some fans who were hesitant. “Having a talent and being introverted don’t necessarily make someone autistic,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “They’re common traits. Being comfortable in silence isn’t unusual either. For her presentation to the Queen she knew the importance, she just has a practical personality. I’m autistic myself and don’t think she’s portrayed as neurodivergent.
What has Francesca’s actress said about her character?
In a conversation with Netflix’s Tudum, actress Hannah Dodd and showrunner Jess Brownell didn’t reveal if Francesca was autistic, but emphasized her quiet and introverted nature. “Francesca doesn’t always say what she’s feeling like the rest of the Bridgertons,” Brownell told the outlet. “So we were always looking for little ways to clue people in on the fact that there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. She has a very rich internal world.”
Dodd also explained that her character’s arc was purposeful due to her feeling intimidated. “There’s definitely an air of innocence about her. Debutantes are so young. Although they prepared for these moments for their entire lives, you can’t replicate a ball or suitors that you’ve never met before coming up to you. You don’t know how those conversations are going to go.”
But even with high-class expectations put on her, she’s willing to go forward. “She’s not fighting it. She’s going to these balls. She is trying to find a husband,” Dodd explains. “I think the difference is that she’s not excited about it. She’s not spent her entire life dreaming about what her wedding day will look like and what her husband’s going to be. She just knows it’s her time and this is part of life, and here we go.”
Bridgerton Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
