Summary
This article contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 3 and Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels.The tail-end ofBridgerton’sseason three finale sneaks in a short but sweet interaction between Michaela Stirling and Francesca Bridgerton that foreshadows their future romance twist in the best way.Bridgertonseason 3 primarily focuses on the romance between Colin, the third-eldest sibling ofthe Bridgerton family tree, and Penelope Featherington, with an epic friends-to-lovers story. Yet, as their fiery love affair commanded screens, another sibling’s love match played out quietly by comparison in the background. Throughout the latest season,Francesca, the sixth Bridgerton progeny, courts and marries John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin.
Francesca’s love story is lowkey compared to all the Bridgerton siblings who’ve found their happily ever afters, but it aligns with the leisurely romance Francesca argued is fitting for her. TheBridgertonseries seemingly develops Francesca and John’s romance as a secondary story to yield to her wishes. However,the quiet course of events is more likely a major indication that Francesca’s epic love story has still yet to unfold. If the show intends to coordinate withJulia Quinn’sBridgertonbook series, Francesca will acquire her own focal season, exploring a romance between her and an unexpected Stirling family member.
Michaela Stirling Was Flirting With Francesca… Before Realizing Who She Is
The Subtly Flirtatious Exchange Foreshadows Their Future Romance
Francesca had just agreed to let her sister Eloise accompany her to the Kilmartin Estate atthe end ofBridgertonseason 3 part 2, when the show’s new character, Michaela Stirling, is introduced. John presents Michaela as his cousin and confirms to the Bridgerton sisters that she, too, will join them in Scotland. Before Francesca can contribute to the conversation and reveal her identity,Michaela appears to take interest in her. Michaela confidently directs her introduction at Francesca and assumes, out of her and Eloise, that she isn’t John’s wife, almost as if hoping that it wasn’t the case.
The entire interaction plays out in under a minute, but it is a great detail that solidifies their shared attraction and foreshadows their big romance twist developed by Quinn’s sixthBridgertonnovel,When He Was Wicked.
Francesca isn’t an innocent bystander in the interaction, even though she is struck speechless by Michaela.The newlywed is clearly flustered by the instant attraction she experiences for John’s cousinand even hesitates to disclose that she is indeed John’s wife. When Francesca finally musters the courage, both she and Michaela look visibly crestfallen. The entire interaction plays out in under a minute, but it is a great detail that solidifies their shared attraction and foreshadows their big romance twist developed by Quinn’s sixthBridgertonnovel,When He Was Wicked.
What Will Happen With Francesca & Michaela Stirling In Bridgerton’s Future?
Francesca And Michaela Will Likely Enjoy An Epic Romance In A Future Bridgerton Season
The following section includes spoilers for Julia Quinn’s When He Was Wicked.SinceBridgerton’sseason 3 finale,Michaela has been revealed to be a gender-swapped version of Michael Stirling, a principal character inWhen He Was Wicked, who is not only John’s cousin but a close friend of Francesca. In the novel, following two years of being happily married,Francesca and John’s futureis cut short by an unfortunate turn of events that sees John suddenly succumbing to a cerebral aneurysm. After his death, the mourning Francesca finds comfort and companionship with Michael, and vice versa, which leads to them falling in love.
John and Francesca’s marriage does not occur on the page in Julia Quinn’s novel series.
Oh, I’m So Not Ready For Francesca Bridgerton’s Story After John Stirling’s Introduction
Bridgerton season 3, episode 4 properly introduces John Stirling, but the tease of his and Francesca’s story hides a heartbreaking future.
Given season 3 part 2’s brief tease,it’s to be expected thatBridgertonwill replicate Francesca and John’s book storyline, placing Michaela in the role of Francesca’s next love interest. That said,Bridgertonhas focused on developing John and Francesca’s relationship onscreen - something that the novel series largely skirts over - so it may be quite a while before viewers see the life-changing course of events transpire. According to Quinn’sBridgertonbook series, Francesca and John still have two years of a happy marriage to enjoy, and thankfully, the TV series seems to be affording audiences the chance to witness it.
Bridgerton
Cast
Bridgerton, released on July 20, 2025, is set in Regency-era England and follows the lives of the influential Bridgerton family. The series explores themes of wealth, lust, and betrayal, portraying societal dynamics through a blend of romance and intrigue.
