Bridgerton season 2 is on the way to Netflix and a missing season 1 character’s return may improve Eloise Bridgerton’s story. The romance series’ primary focus was on the blossoming courtship between Daphne and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. Based on the series of novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton focused on the titular family’s siblings, but there was one notable absence that could prove interesting to Eloise’s storyline in season 2.
Francesca — the sixth Bridgerton sibling — was absent throughout Bridgerton season 1. She was off visiting Bath, staying with her aunt Winnie before finally returning to London at the very end of the season. Considering she was mostly offscreen, there’s very little that is known about Francesca besides her physical appearance and that she’s the third daughter after Daphne and Eloise. Francesca is a bit more shy than the rest of her siblings, keeping mostly to herself while avoiding any impulsive public statements. These characteristics make her mysterious to others. While her presence wasn’t particularly missed during season 1, Francesca will surely have a bigger role to play in Bridgerton season 2 and her return could cause some dramatic tension between her and Eloise.
By comparison to Eloise, Francesca is a lot less forthcoming with her opinions and, though Eloise is older, Francesca is considered to be the more mature, poised, and sophisticated of the two. Since she and Eloise are close enough in age, it’s possible Francesca will make her debut during the next season in the Ton. Considering how she might be perceived by others who are tied to stereotypical ideas about what characteristics a woman should have, Francesca’s very presence during the season could create some tension between her and Eloise. After all, Francesca debuting in society also puts a lot more pressure on her older sister to find a husband, which is something Eloise has clearly stated she doesn’t want.
Francesca coming back to London would also give Eloise a bigger storyline. The two are the opposite of each other, which could also stir up some personal conflicts between them. Like Daphne, Francesca isn’t so heartily against marriage as Eloise has always been, which could see them debating the concept. However, considering Francesca’s calmer personality, it could be that she and Eloise will be able to talk things out without getting into heated arguments. Now that Daphne is no longer central to the story as she was in Bridgerton season 1, it could be Francesca who takes up the role of conversing and debating with Eloise about marriage, society, and the like in season 2. It would certainly elevate both her and Eloise’s stories.
Francesca is Eloise’s opposite in many ways and that could be exactly what the latter needs. With her and Penelope drifting apart throughout Bridgerton season 1, it’s likely Eloise will seek out Francesca instead. Eloise has always been adamant about her stance on marriage, disgusted by society’s pressure for women to be married and the expectations that are heaped upon them because of it. By having her interact more often with Francesca, who has a completely different personality than her, it might provide further growth and dramatic story beats that would not have worked as well in Bridgerton season 1 with Francesca being absent.
