Bridgerton’s Francesca Recast Has Made Daphne’s Absence Even Weirder Ahead Of Season 4

After season 2, Bridgerton recast the role of Francesca, and although Daphne’s absence was frustrating before, it’s now even more so because of the change. The Netflix alternative history TV show is based on Julia Quinn’s book series of the same, with each season adapting one novel and one of the Bridgerton siblings’ romance. Bridgerton mostly follows the order of the books, as season 1 depicts Daphne’s story and season 2 revolves around Anthony. However, season 3 skips over Benedict’s love tale to Colin and Penelope’s, and season 4 circles back to the second-oldest Bridgerton.

Meanwhile, Francesca’s love story begins in season 3 with her marriage to John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin. John courts Francesca, and the two exchange vows by the end of Bridgerton season 3. Then, Francesca meets John’s cousin, Michaela Stirling, who she is seemingly taken with, setting up her future season. As a result, Francesca’s presence in season 3 is quite significant, which is why Daphne’s continued absence is all the more strange.

Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne Has Yet To Interact With Hannah Dodd’s Francesca

The 2 Actresses Have Never Shared The Screen In The Netflix Series

It’s disappointing that Daphne (and her husband and their child) couldn’t make it to Francesca’s (or Colin’s, for that matter) wedding in Bridgerton season 3. Her absence is greatly felt. However, when learning that the new actress that plays Francesca has never interacted with Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne, the third-oldest Bridgerton sibling’s disappearance is all the more confusing.

Ruby Stokes had a recurring role as Francesca in Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2, in which she shared the screen with Daphne, albeit briefly. Hannah Dodd replaced Stokes in season 3, though, meaning she has never starred opposite Dynevor in the Netflix alternative history regency romance show. Daphne appeared in a few episodes in season 2 but was completely missing in season 3. As for season 4, Dynevor isn’t expected to reprise her role as Daphne for Benedict’s love story, while Dodd will return as Francesca for it. So, Dynevor’s Daphne and Dodd’s Francesca will be separated for the foreseeable future.

Some Bridgerton fans discussed how odd it is that Dodd’s Francesca has never interacted with Daphne onscreen before in a Reddit post. Many noted how the two look so similar — another reason why their lack of meeting is a missed opportunity. Some also shared their hopes that Dynevor would return as Daphne one day, just so that she can be there to support Francesca during her season (which many predict will be season 6, given that Francesca’s romance plays out in the sixth book).

Why Bridgerton Recast Francesca For Season 3

Ruby Stokes Had A Scheduling Conflict

Hannah Dodd replaced Ruby Stokes as Francesca in Bridgerton season 3 simply due to scheduling conflicts. According to PEOPLE, Stokes had to step away from the show because she was filming another Netflix series — Lockwood & Co. Stokes starred as Lucy Carlyle, one of the main characters in the British supernatural detective thriller based on Jonathan Stroud’s book series of the same name. Unfortunately, Netflix canceled Lockwood & Co. after only one season. Since then, Stokes has appeared in TV shows such as The Burning Girls and The Jetty.

It Feels Weird Not To Have Daphne Around In Bridgerton Anymore

Daphne Has Been Absent Since Season 2

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be surprising if Phoebe Dynevor never reprised her role as Daphne in Netflix’s Bridgerton. She was absent for all of season 3 (and soon to be season 4). Hopefully, Daphne will return one day, especially to support Francesca during her season, but no one should be expecting her to. Of course, actor exits are common, and it makes sense why Dynevor hasn’t returned. However, that doesn’t make it any less weird that Daphne is no longer a part of the story, given how important she was to it at the beginning.

Nevertheless, the Bridgerton family must move forward without the eldest daughter. Benedict will manage just fine without Daphne while pursuing a romance with Sophie Baek, and Francesca, Eloise, and others should also be able to handle whatever comes next. Still, although they can survive without Daphne, it would be better if she was around for the upcoming Bridgerton seasons.

Sources: Reddit, PEOPLE