British actress-model
Hannah Dodd has signed on to play Francesca Bridgerton in the upcoming third season of Netflix's hit show
"Bridgerton" based on
Julia Quinn's romance novels.
Dodd will replace
Ruby Stokes, who quit the project to headline another Netflix series, the young adult supernatural thriller series
"Lockwood & Co." based on
Jonathan Stroud's books. Stokes was a recurring guest star on
"Bridgerton", which allowed her to book another show as a series regular.
"Bridgerton" creator and Seasons 1 and 2 showrunner
Chris Van Dusen told TVLine the following in late March:
"I love Francesca, but we lost her midway through Season 2. After exhausting all other options, she unfortunately had to come out due to reasons beyond our control."
The series is currently underway casting new roles for the new season. Production will begin this summer in London.
Jess Brownell serves as Season 3 showrunner and executive producer alongside
Van Dusen and
Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and
Tom Verica.
Dodd recently appeared in
David E. Kelley's Netflix anthology series
"Anatomy of a Scandal". She also wrapped filming the
"Enola Holmes" sequel opposite
Millie Bobby Brown.
