Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix
Published Jan 29, 2026, 9:58 AM EST
El is a Senior news and reviews writer for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel.
Warning! This article contains minor spoilers for Bridgerton season 4, part 1.
Bridgerton season 4 may focus on second son Benedict's fairy tale romance with housemaid Sophie Baek, but as ever, the latest episodes are setting up future love stories. Season 3 properly introduced audiences to Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and her quiet, shy courtship with the equally calm John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin (Victor Alli). Their relationship as newlyweds is explored further in Bridgerton season 4.
Book readers will have noticed a spanner being thrown in the works in the season 3 finale, however, as Francesca was introduced to John's cousin, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). Francesca was clearly flustered during their first meeting, and despite spending time together in Scotland, that hasn't changed when Michaela — Michael, in Julia Quinn's original novels — reappears dramatically near the end of Bridgerton season 4, part 1.
In an interview with Netflix's TUDUM, showrunner Jess Brownell explained how Michaela's reappearance will affect Francesca's state of mind in Bridgerton season 4, part 2. "Michaela just really unnerves Francesca. They’re opposites in such a big way. Fran’s introverted, Michaela is extroverted," Brownell explained. "Fran is all about control, Michaela is all about intentional chaos."
If the books are anything to go by, Francesca and Michaela will one day prove that opposites do attract. Right now, however, Francesca is searching for the elusive physical "pinnacle" as she explores her sexuality with the help of her eager yet patient husband. Whether she and Michaela will grow closer in the second half of season 4 remains to be seen. According to John, they avoided each other in Scotland.
Credit: Liam Daniel/NetflixPerhaps that's because they couldn't find common ground, given their clashing personalities, but it's also possible Francesca was afraid of her feelings for Michaela. The latter says as much when she suddenly appears in Mayfair and tells Francesca that she looks as though she's "seen a ghost" when they greet each other.
Bridgerton has already been renewed for seasons 5 and 6, though it's currently unclear whether the period romance's next outing will center on Francesca or Eloise (Claudia Jessie). However, season 4 seems to be setting up the next leg of Francesca's love life, while Eloise is intent on remaining unwed and avoiding suitors.
Viewers will be seeing more of Michaela Stirling in Bridgerton's upcoming episodes, as the teaser at the end of episode 4 proves. But for now, and rightfully so, the focus remains on Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie (Yerin Ha).
Bridgerton season 4, part 1, is now available to stream on Netflix. Part 2 will be released on February 26.
Release Date December 22, 2020
Network Netflix
Directors Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson
Writers Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin
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Luke Thompson
Lady Violet Bridgerton
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Ruth Gemmell
Benedict Bridgerton
English (US) ·