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Why 'Bridgerton' fans think Francesca is 'autistic-coded', praise Season 3 for 'perfect' disability representation

'Bridgerton' Season 3 brings a refreshing change by embracing inclusivity and diversity with the introduction of disabled characters

LONDON, ENGLAND: Season 3 of 'Bridgerton', on Netflix centers on the friend-to-lovers romance between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan).

However, it also throws enough spotlight on other members of the Bridgerton family, taking forward their character arcs.

One notable character who stands out this season is Francesca Bridgerton, making her debut in society and finding a match for herself.

Francesca, played by Hannah Dodd who replaced Ruby Stokes ahead of Season 3, is depicted as the most introverted member of the Bridgerton family, often shying away from social interactions.

She enjoys her own company, often spending her time playing piano or immersed in books.

'Bridgerton' fans feel Francesca Bridgerton shares traits of autistic and neurodivergent people

After watching 'Bridgerton' Season 3, which premiered on Netflix on May 16, 2024, fans are convinced that Francesca is autistic-coded.

Autistic-coded means that the character is portrayed in a manner that suggests they exhibit traits commonly associated with autism, even though the condition itself is not explicitly mentioned.

On X, one fan wrote, "Francesca and Lord Stirling are so autistic coded and I love every moment of their interactions. My perfect babies who just want to sit next to each other in silence."

"Thinking how John and Francesca are so autistic and ADHD coded. That scene between Fran and John where she tells him her thoughts on a musical piece and John quickly marches away as he looks at the player and later on we find out why he did that and I'm like...baby boy," added another fan.

One fan supporting this theory said, “I’m sorry you're telling me that Francesca's love interest RAN AWAY mid conversation on the street so he could re-compose music she heard and made comments on and give it to her as a gift??? And she left a ball early to play it??? Autistic. The both of them."

Why do 'Bridgerton' fans think Francesca Bridgerton is autistic?

'Bridgerton' fans, especially those who are themselves autistic or have family members diagnosed with autism, have explained why they perceive Francesca to be autistic.

On Reddit, one fan wrote, "As a mother to a child on the spectrum, I can see why people are calling Frannie their ND Queen. She does show traits like her hyperfixations with the piano/music theory. She’s an introvert. She feels she doesn’t fit in with her chaotic family. She’s blunt. She’s overwhelmed within large crowds and felt at home when she’s alone or at least one person like that scene with John outside of the ball."

Another fan of the show wrote, "Mom to an autistic daughter and she very much flagged as autistic to me. Her flat affect til she caught social cues for smiling, he sensory issues with noise and crowds, her communication style, and so much more. She is played as incredibly high masking and it seems like she makes eye contact but she really isn’t."

"I'm an autistic and ADHD person, so also very well-researched and sensitive to neurodivergence. An autistic woman who's forced to be highly masking all her life is going to look very different than an autistic child. Francesca very much fits the profile of an autistic woman IMO. We're painfully underdiagnosed for a reason--people see a person like this and say "quirky, shy, and introverted" instead of "autistic," reads another Reddit comment.

Is Francesca Bridgerton autistic in Julia Quinn's book series?

In Julia Quinn’s 'Bridgerton' novels, Francesca is not written as an autistic character. She is only introduced as an introverted character. However, we are aware that Shondaland is not strictly adhering to the books and has been taking significant liberties with the adaptation. 

So, it wouldn't be surprising if Francesca turns out to be autistic in the series.

'Bridgerton' Season 3 is receiving high praise for its disability presentation

One of the many reasons why people love 'Bridgerton' is the diversity and inclusivity. Unlike the book series, the Netflix show has featured several actors of color at higher levels of the aristocracy. By Season 3, 'Bridgerton' brings the much-needed change.

Not only does it introduce a gay storyline as Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) explores his sexuality, but it also represents people with disabilities, including debutant Dolores Stowell (Kitty Devlin) who is deaf, and Lord Remington (Zak Ford-Williams) who uses a wheelchair.

The inclusivity is appreciated by fans. One fan wrote on X, "I like how Season 3 has a person in a wheelchair and a deaf person but they didn't make the characters out to be oddities of society. Just regular members of the ton. Well done Shonda. Well done."

"I see the effort to include inclusivity and diversity in this Bridgerton season. The Lord In the wheelchair, the debutante and her mother with the sign language, the increased number of people of color playing major roles. Not bad, really," wrote another fan.

How to stream 'Bridgerton'?

'Bridgerton', based on Julia Quinn's book series, is available only on Netflix. The OTT giant has released three seasons of the historical romance so far.

Season 3 made its debut with four episodes on May 16, 2024, while the remaining four dropped on Netflix on June 13, 2024.

A monthly/yearly subscription to Netflix is required to watch three seasons of 'Bridgerton'.

'Bridgerton' Season 3 trailer