Hannah Dodd has opened up about a deeply emotional and layered scene from Bridgerton season 4.
In a recent conversation with Netflix Tudum, the actress who played Francesca Sterling in Bridgerton reflected on the turning point in her character’s life
Her innocent and naive character Francesca is examined by a male doctor to determine if she may be pregnant.
This decision, following the death of her beloved husband Lord John Sterling, could affect the succession of the Stirling family.
She reflected on the emotional toll and complexity of Francesca’s suffering: “It’s so invasive. It’s so devastating when she’s in pain – and so young too,” Dodd said,
Looking back on the moment, the actress stated that her character’s love life and sheltered upbringing were a reason for her liability in that painful situation.
Dodd said the moment captured the difficult situations women faced at the time while carrying their own emotional baggage.
She also pointed out how awful the prying experience must be for Francesca, who has had no physical experience with men outside of her beloved, gentle husband.
‘Men have [treat her like that]? There are so many layers to it.”
Reflecting on her character losing her cool following the revelation that she isn’t pregnant, the actress said: ‘It’s pretty dark. [The idea of the pregnancy] gives Francesca something to hold on to, which is so devastating.”
“She says, ‘I’m going to be okay because I still have a piece of John. That’s what my mom had. I know she’s okay, so that means I’m okay,'” Dodd added, noting, “Then she realizes she doesn’t have that.”
