There’s been a casting shakeup on Bridgerton. Ruby Stokes played Francesca Bridgerton for all of season 1 and some of season 2, but she left the series to star in Lockwood & Co. Hannah Dodd is taking over the role and will play the sixth Bridgerton sibling starting in season 3.
The hit show’s official Twitter account confirmed the news of Hannah’s casting on Twitter in May 2022. “The only thing the Ton loves more than a scandal is a celebration. Do joyously welcome the newest member to the Bridgerton family,” the tweet read.
Each season of Bridgerton centers around one of the eight Bridgerton siblings from Julia Quinn‘s novels. Francesca’s story is told in the sixth book, When He Was Wicked, but it’s unclear which season of the show will be all about her. Get to know more about Hannah Dodd below.
Hannah Is the New Actress Playing Francesca
Ahead of season 3, which will premiere in 2024, Netflix released the first photo of Hannah as Francesca Bridgerton’s replacement. In the photo, Violet is speaking about Francesca, who looks gorgeous in a dress and tweed jacket with a camellia in the center.
“I love a period drama. You can’t keep me away. You can’t get me out of a corset,” Hannah told Hollywood Life exclusively about joining the cast of Bridgerton. “I don’t really know what I’m allowed to say, but I’m literally over the moon to be joining that cast. Everybody has been so lovely so far. I can’t wait.”
The third season will focus on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington’s love story. Part 1 of season 3 will drop on May 16. Part 2 will be released on June 13.
Hannah Already Has Some Notable Acting Credits
Up until now, Hannah is best known for playing Sarah Chapman in Enola Holmes 2 alongside Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill. She also played Corinne Foxworth in Flowers in the Attic: The Origin and a young Sophie Whitehouse in the Netflix series Anatomy of a Scandal. Hannah had a brief appearance in Marvel’s Eternals as an illusion conjured by Sprite.
Hannah Is a Dancer
“I’ve danced since I was two years old and I trained professionally for four years at professional dance school,” Hannah told Marie Claire in an interview from April 2021. “I always wanted to be a professional dancer before going into acting. So, I do dance. I love dancing!” Hannah also said she “had to work extremely hard” to train as an elite Paris Opera ballet dancer for her role in Find Me in Paris.
Hannah Has Done Some Modeling Work
Hannah is currently signed to Select Model Management, according to her Instagram bio. Back in 2014, she got the offer to be a Burberry model alongside Romeo Beckham. “I was actually on holiday when my agent rang about the casting so I had to jump off the plane and go straight to Burberry when I got back,” she previously told British Vogue. “I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to work with such a lovely cast and crew and be part of the amazing Burberry family.”
Hannah Is From England
Hannah grew up in Leavenheath, a village in Suffolk, England. She has two sisters, Willa and Alice Dodd.