Fans of Bridgerton Season 3 have wondered whether the quiet, introspective Francesca Bridgerton is autistic, asexual, or aromantic. Played by actress Hannah Dodd who replaced Ruby Stokes due to scheduling conflicts, this new protagonist for the third season is different from her two elder sisters. Whereas Daphne was eager to make her debut and Eloise was averse to the entire rigamarole of formal Regency Era courtship, Francesca is rather indifferent and matter-of-fact about it. Her fixation on the pianoforte, her desire for peace and quiet, and her general discomfort in conversations have made viewers question whether she’s neurodivergent in some way. Here’s if Francesca Bridgerton is on the autism spectrum in the third season of Bridgerton.
Is Francesca Bridgerton on the autism spectrum in Season 3?
It’s possible that Francesca Bridgerton has some mild form of autism in the third season. She may also have general anxiety or ADHD.
But given that these conditions need to be clinically diagnosed by a professional (and we wouldn’t expect a doctor during the 1810s Regency Era to know about these things), this will likely remain a matter of speculation. That said, many fans on Reddit and Twitter relate to her behavior, and some are convinced that she is on the spectrum.
Through the first four episodes of the season, we have seen Francesca dislike loud noises and be easily overstimulated, escaping conversations whenever she feels distressed or has too much attention placed upon her. She has some trouble looking at other characters in the eyes for too long and finds herself to be more at ease in silence. It appears that the pianoforte is not merely a hobby for her, but a means of communication and thought. Her being aromantic or asexual is also a possibility given her lack of romantic attachment, noting at one point that she will dance with any potential suitors at an upcoming event “alphabetically.”
Later in the third season, we find that Francecsa is more than comfortable in the presence of Lord Kilmartin despite the both of them not talking to each other at all in the Bridgerton’s sitting room. While the other Bridgerton siblings are flabbergasted at their lack of conversation and believes that this is a mark of a failed meeting, the pair is actually quite relaxed with one another. Lord Kilmartin also seems to be a composer himself, giving her sheets of seemingly handwritten music that she rushes back home to play. When her mother Violet Bridgerton sees this, it confirms to her that Francesca is in the throes of love with Kilmartin, despite Lord Samadani being the more pragmatic choice as presented by Queen Charlotte.
We’ll have to see more of her relationship with Kilmartin in Part 2 of Bridgerton Season 3 to gather more evidence on whether she is autistic or merely highly introverted.
