Bridgerton season 3 finale seemingly hints at Francesca Bridgerton leading season 4

And we're back! The remaining four episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are finally streaming on Netflix, and people aren't wasting any time streaming them. Now that Colin and Penelope's love story has been completely told, everyone's wondering which Bridgerton family member will lead the upcoming fourth season. Our bet is that Francesca Bridgerton will lead Bridgerton season 4, and we shared why below.

Spoilers from Bridgerton season 3 ahead!

While the third season mainly focused on Colin and Penelope's love story, another love story was also being told: Francesca and John's. Although they were quite an odd pair, they seemed to get each other, and it didn't take long for them to fall in love. The third season ends with them getting married through a small wedding ceremony at the Bridgerton family home before they head off to Scotland to stay at John's primary estate.

While some fans of only the show would think that that's all of Francesca and John's love story, book fans know that this is only the beginning and that things get complicated. At the end of the Bridgerton season 3 finale, we're introduced to a new character by the name of Michaela Stirling. She's John's cousin, who we find out will be staying with him, Francesca, and Eloise in Scotland.

Spoilers ahead from the When He Was Wicked book!

Book fans, you most likely already know who this Michaela character is. She is the female version of John's cousin in the When He Was Wicked book, Michael Stirling. For the show, the writers decided to turn Michael into a female and name her Michaela. Since Francesca ends up with Michael in the book, it looks like she'll end up with Michaela in the series.

With the introduction of Michaela in the third season, this is why we believe Francesca will lead Bridgerton season 4. We watch some of Francesca and John's love story play out in season 3 and then are introduced to Michaela. What would be the show's creative team's purpose in doing all this if not to set up Francesca's season next?

Another reason we believe Francesca will lead Bridgerton season 4 is because of a rumored past casting call. According to a Reddit user on a Bridgerton-related post on the site, the casting website Spotlight sent out a casting call in December 2022 looking for the lead of Bridgerton season 4. Obviously, the main lead would be one of the actors portraying one of the Bridgerton family members. So, the other lead that needed to be cast would be the love interest.

The casting is believed to have been for a Black actress who would be playing a "huge role that will be in one episode this series [season 3], but will go onto be leading the next [season 4]." The character was also described in the casting call as being "a devilish charmer, quick-witted, fast-talking, always with a joke, but beneath that exterior is a perceptive, kind, loyal soul."

Although Michaela was only on-screen in the third season for a short period, this character description could easily describe her. She was definitely charming and kind and even joked around with Francesca and Eloise in the season 3 finale. Michaela is also Black and is played by a Black actress. Also, she appeared in only one episode in the third season. Overall, all of this matches up with the casting call. So, it looks like the show was casting for Michaela Stirling, who we now know is played by Masali Baduza.

If Michaela is really the other lead for Bridgerton season 4, then the fourth season could only tell Francesca's love story. Once we have confirmation that the fourth season will follow Francesca's story, you'll be the first to know. But as of now, that looks to be the case.

All eight episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are streaming now only on Netflix.