During Bridgerton season 3, it has been easy to consider Hannah Dodd’s Francesca as something of a replacement for Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne, however the former is actually set up to exceed the latter, as Francesca’s story has far less complications than Daphne’s has proven to have. Bridgerton follows the romantic lives of the eight Bridgerton siblings in Regency Era London. While each sibling is their own unique person, Francesca has shown some similarities to her older sister Daphne. However, after watching season 3, and getting a glimpse of her romance, it’s clear Francesca is quite different – and better.

In Bridgerton, Francesca has always been in the background. Bridgerton season 1 mostly saw her away from the family, spending time with their aunt. She returned in season 2, but the result was similar. Francesca had no storyline, and instead, was relegated to family scenes with no true plot of her own. However, season 3 changes things. During Bridgerton season 3, Francesca has blossomed into a real character, with a distinct personality and a story to tell. And based on where Francesca is, and where she is bound to go, she may exceed the boundaries Daphne’s story set for her.

Daphne’s Bridgerton Story Was Front-Loaded Because Of Season 1

Daphne didn’t have a chance for a slow-burn

Francesca’s story is not better than Daphne’s just based on principle. In fact, there are several big reasons why Daphne got the short end of the stick in Bridgerton, while Francesca enjoyed some serious benefits. First and foremost, Daphne’s story was the very first, and therefore, it came at audiences all at once. As the star of Bridgerton season 1, there was no time to trickle Daphne’s story in or slow it down.

She was the main event, and therefore, everything that happens to her needed to happen right then and there in order for her story to be satisfying.

Ultimately, this hurt Daphne. By throwing her entire story out to audiences in season 1, there was nowhere left for Daphne to turn when the series continued. She had already done everything was was written to do. This is significantly different from the other Bridgerton siblings, who did and still do have time to grow into their storylines. Look at Benedict. He was supposed to star in season 3, and yet his story was pushed back, and now there’s an entirely new plot between Benedict and Lady Tilley Arnold. Daphne hasn’t been able to enjoy that luxury for one reason.

Daphne’s Bridgerton Story Was Hurt By Rege-Jean Page’s Exit From The Show

Without Simon, Daphne could do little

Although Bridgerton could have brought Daphne back, and in fact, they did in season 2, there is one big hurdle keeping her back: Simon. Rege-Jean Page was Phoebe Dynevor’s love interest in Bridgerton season 1, and his exit immediately after his season has hurt Dynevor. If both of them had remained as supporting cast members, then a lot more could have been done with their storylines. Audiences would have been able to enjoy seeing them in love and starting a family. They could have had purpose. But Page’s exit ruined this chance, and in turn, hurt Dynevor’s chance as well.

The perfect example of this is Daphne’s role in Bridgerton season 2. Daphne returned for a few episodes in the second season as a wise older sister figure. She provided Anthony with advice while also toting around her and Simon’s baby. However, this simply was not enough to keep Daphne interesting. Despite the baby, without Rege-Jean Page there, Daphne’s storyline felt empty and incomplete, like the show had gone back in time. In this way, it was better for Phoebe Dynevor to leave Bridgerton behind than continue appearing without anything to bolster her story. However, it is a shame.

How Francesca’s Book Story Avoids Bridgerton’s Daphne Problem

Francesca has time to build to her story

All of this is to say that Francesca will not suffer from the same issues that Daphne did in Bridgerton. Unlike Daphne, Francesca’s story has been a slow-burn, and it will continue to be that way. In Bridgerton season 3, audiences see Francesca in a new light, and more than that, meet Francesca’s love interest, John Stirling. Their story will likely only unfold more into the end of Bridgerton season 3 and the next season. However, it is Julia Quinn’s novel, “When He Was Wicked,” that really indicates how Francesca’s story will be different.

According to Julia Quinn’s books, Francesca does in fact fall in love with John Stirling and the two will marry. However, during this marriage, Francesca will meet John’s cousin, Michael, and become intrigued by him. Later, when John tragically dies, Francesca will spark a new romance with Michael. Based on this, Francesca’s story is not only drastically different from Daphne’s, but it is also a more drawn out plot that means that Francesca’s story will likely play out much better than Daphne’s ended up doing in Bridgerton.