When Hannah Dodd first auditioned for Bridgerton, Netflix’s hit Shonda Rimes romance, it was to play Daphne, the eldest daughter and leading lady of season 1. It came down to her and Phoebe Dynevor, who famously got the role. So you can imagine her delight when years later, having auditioned for a top secret project, she learned that the role she’d booked was for Francesca Bridgerton. “I relate to her a lot. I can be quite introverted, and I have a lot going on in my brain that’s not always articulated,” Dodd says. “When I started playing with her I was like, ‘I’m nothing like that.’ But when you get to play a character for such a long time, little elements of both of you merge. There’s quite a bit of me in her.”
In the final minutes of the show’s third season, there was a twist that signaled Francesca’s story was about to get even more interesting. Fans of the books know that Francesca’s courtship and marriage to John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin, take place largely offscreen. (Spoilers ahead!) Though it’s a love match, it’s not Francesca’s only shot at romance. Years later, after tragedy strikes the Kilmartins, book Francesca falls for her late husband’s cousin, Michael Sterling, who has had eyes for her all along. As last season’s finale wrapped up, on-screen Francesca met her new husband’s female cousin, Michaela Sterling. In making introductions, Francesca freezes, then forgets her own name. You can already tell there’s something there. Though it’s likely two seasons away, Dodd says, “We’re so proud to get to tell that story.”
Joining the ensemble cast of a hit show during its third season was understandably intimidating, but Dodd has nothing but good things to say about how her costars welcomed her, calling them the nicest, most normal, down-to-earth people. “I genuinely still pinch myself that I get to be part of it,” she says. Much like her onscreen character, Dodd is close with Claudia Jessie, who plays Eloise. So she was thrilled to work with her “favorite human” on a campaign for Pandora’s Bridgerton collection, out today.
Featuring Bridgerton blues, bee motifs, and wisteria-inspired gems, it’s a jewelry collection fit for aristocracy. Dodd is especially partial to an open format ring that shows a golden bee flying toward a flower made of freshwater pearls.
Ahead, the star talks all things Bridgerton season 4 and beyond.
Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie for Pandora’s Bridgerton collection.
Courtesy of Pandora
What drew you to Bridgerton as a project in the first place?
Even from those first audition slides, I was like, this is exciting, this regency Gossip Girl type thing. And I loved the scripts immediately. I don’t know how you’d ever resist it.
It’s such a gorgeous show that celebrates everybody and everything. Getting the opportunity to meet those actors that you’ve been watching on screen, and now call them friends, has been the greatest experience ever. I’m so grateful to be part of it.
You mentioned in another interview that you like to assign a signature scent to different characters. What was Francesca’s?
Francesca’s is by Coach [Coach Eau de Parfum]—it’s got a horse and carriage. It’s rose gold, and all of Francesca’s colors at first were these champagne pinks, and then I transitioned into Bridgerton blue. I needed a scent that’s very sweet, but it also it feels like a grown up can wear it. I was going to sit with [Francesca] for so many years that I needed to be young and naive enough, and then also not. I’ll wear it on the red carpet today, and all of my filming memories will come back.
Pandora
Bridgerton Bee & Treated Freshwater Cultured Pearl Flower Open Ring,
$170.00
What’s your signature scent in real life?
Glossier [You] and the pink Chanel [Chanel Chance Eau Tendre].
Do you have any other rituals you do just to get into character?
I have a character journal, which I carry with me. I actually rarely open it on set, but I will feel naked if I don’t have it on set with me. I always create cheat sheets for all of my characters, but especially with TV, because you shoot everything so out of order. I always have a timeline of what’s happened and all of her relationships and specific themes of the season.
I also have playlists. I do it all and do none of it, you know? In prep work, I like to have done everything I possibly can. And then when I’m on set, it’s more about showing up and responding to what brilliance everybody else is bringing.
Was there anything surprising you learned about Regency era culture from filming?
Marriage was such a business deal between families. The impact that your choice of spouse has on the rest of your family and your siblings—that’s kind of explored in the show, but it was such an organized thing. And you weren’t really allowed to move outside of that.
What is something that you’ve learned from one of your co-stars?
I’m constantly learning from all of them. They’re all so talented. I’ve been very, very inspired by Yerin [Ha, who plays Sophie], and how she’s carried the show this year as a lead. The fans of Sophie and Benedict’s book are so lucky to have her, because I think she’s just absolutely smashed it.
Pandora
Bridgerton Herbarium & Bee Tennis Bracelet,
$330.00
What was it like walking into a project where there’s already such an established fanbase because of the books?
The show wouldn’t be what it is without those people. We’re so grateful and so lucky. But it does put pressure on you. You want to please those people. Sometimes you kind of have to focus on your job on set and know that that’s your job as the actor, to look at the script that you’ve got and throw yourself in 100 percent and hope that people love what you’re doing.
There was a big twist at the end of the last season with the introduction of Michaela. What was your reaction the first time you read that in the script?
I knew as soon as I signed on that that’s what we were doing. It wasn’t this moment of reading those words like, ‘Oh my God,’—but it was very fun to film it. It did feel like a massive moment when we were filming it.
Getting to meet Masali [Baduza] and do that chemistry reads with her, I knew immediately that that was who I wanted to play the role. Luckily, casting and production agreed. The fact that people are as obsessed with her and as in love with her when she’s had like, four seconds of screen time—she absolutely smashed it. I love her to bits. I’m so excited for people to get to know Michaela a bit more.
We’ve seen several romance stories take off recently, particularly those adapted from books, from Bridgerton to The Summer I Turned Pretty, Heated Rivalry, and People We Meet On Vacation. Why do you think audiences are so drawn to stories like that right now?
It’s kind of the return of the rom com right now, isn’t it? Those were the films that I loved when I was growing up. They were everywhere in the 90s and noughties, so I’m so happy that they’re coming back. I think people love love, and I think it’s such like a universal thing. You can like lots of different things, but ultimately, all of us know how important love is. And I think the world can be quite an intense and scary place at times, so it’s nice to sit down and celebrate something that is so universal.
Courtesy of Pandora
What was your favorite romcom growing up?
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is my ultimate. I’m obsessed. I put it on all the time. I want to be Kate Hudson in the yellow dress.
I know we’re probably a few seasons out from the season that tells Francesca’s story, but do you have in mind anything that you would do to prepare?
Oh, my God, avoidance. Probably just watching the leads. That is what’s so nice about this job, is that you get to watch how other people have stepped up and be completely inspired by all of these different actors getting their moment. I would read the book a million times. I would create playlists. I would do so much research. I would do everything possible. But I think a lot of it is going to be about reading those scripts and just being absorbed by them and reacting to all of these brilliant actors on set. I think that’s when the best work happens. I can’t even think about that!
What are you most excited for viewers to see this season?
I love this season so much. Luke [Thompson] and Yerin have done such a phenomenal job. I am so excited for people to see those two take the lead. Their chemistry is just fabulous.
But also, I think Michelle [Mao, who plays Rosamund Li], Izzy [Isabella Wei, who plays Posy Li] and Katie [Leung, who plays Lady Araminta Gun] have actually smashed it. I’m really excited for people to meet their family.
Anything else you want to add?
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I’m just super, super proud to be working with Pandora on this. Pandora’s been big part of my family. I’m very excited that Bridgeton was doing a collaboration with them. I’m very, very happy to collaborate with Claudia on it. She’s my favorite human ever.