Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from the Bridgerton books.
A terrible tragedy is in store for one Bridgerton character, and it may happen much sooner than anyone anticipated (much to my dismay). The Netflix historical romance TV show is based on Julia Queen’s Bridgerton Book series that chronicles the different love stories of each Bridgerton sibling – Daphne, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Eloise, Francesca, Hyacinth and Gregory. Since each novel revolves around one romance, the Netflix show follows suit with each season adapting one book. Season 1 is about Daphne, Season 2 focuses on Anthony, Season 3 revolves around Colin, and Season 4 features Benedict’s love story.
Bridgerton Season 3 skips over Benedict’s book (as his is the third in Quinn’s series) and moves up Colin’s (fourth in the series). Thankfully, season 4 will finally center around Benedict and his romance with Sophie Baek. I, along with many other fans, look forward to watching Benedict and Sophie’s Cinderella-esque love story unraveling on screen. however, I’m also nervous that one heartbreaking tragedy from the books will also play out by the season’s end.
John Stirling, Francesca’s husband, dies in the Bridgerton books
Francesca and John were married for 2 years before his death
John Stirling dies at the beginning of Francesca’s Bridgerton book When he was evil. His sudden death was the result of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm That he suffered in the couple’s Scotland home, leaving Francesca absolutely devastated. She and John’s cousin, Michael, had been on a walk and returned home to find John dead. Francesca was also pregnant at the time but sadly had a miscarriage after her husband’s death.
|
Bridgerton Book |
Main character |
Publication date |
|---|---|---|
|
The Duke and I |
Daphne Bridgerton |
January 5, 2000 |
|
The viscount who loved me |
Anthony Bridgerton |
December 5, 2000 |
|
A proposal from a gentleman |
Benedict Bridgerton |
July 3, 2001 |
|
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton |
Colin Bridgerton |
July 1, 2002 |
|
To Sir Philip, with love |
Eloise Bridgerton |
July 1, 2003 |
|
When he was evil |
Francesca Bridgerton |
June 29, 2004 |
|
It’s in his kiss |
Hyacinth Bridgerton |
June 28, 2005 |
|
On the way to the wedding |
Gregory Bridgerton |
June 27, 2006 |
Francesca mourns John for four years before she falls in love with someone else. She reunites with Michael (who was swapped in the Netflix show and is now Michaela), and the two begin a romance. Francesca and Michael eventually marry, Which is how Francesca’s story ends. Bridgerton Will likely adapt Francesca’s story in season 6 if the writers stick to the order of the books from now on (with Eloise’s romance probably coming in season 5). However, although the series still has two seasons to go until then, season 4 could (unfortunately) very easily end with John’s death.
Why John Stirling might die in Bridgerton Season 4
Bridgerton’s timeline would line up with John Dying at the end of season 4
Although Francesca and John were married for two years before he died in the books, It would make sense if John’s death happens in Bridgerton Season 4’s end (especially if it adapts the time jump in Benedict’s novel). As mentioned above, Francesca waits four years before moving on from John. Yes, she and John just got married during Bridgerton Season 3’s ending, but season 4 may have a time jump. Even if it doesn’t, and while I’m nowhere near ready for the tragedy, John dying during the conclusion of season 4 would set the perfect timeline for Francesca’s story.
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John was dying at the end of Bridgerton Season 4 Gives Francesca one season to mourn her loss before she can explore her romance with Michaela. In this way, Francesca and Michaela together would not feel rushed. Of course, this theory is all banking on Francesca being the focus of Bridgerton Season 6, which is the most likely possibility.
John Stirling’s death will be one of Bridgerton’s greatest tragedies
Bridgerton did not feature many character deaths
each Bridgerton Season includes Queen Charlotte Has its fair share of heartbreak. However, John’s inevitable death will undoubtedly be one of the biggest tragedies of the Netflix TV show. King George’s illness is probably the only thing that can compete with him, How viewers get to know him in the prequel series. Meanwhile, Edmund’s death happens before the events of the show, and he’s only in one flashback scene (which is heartbreaking nonetheless).
Heading in Bridgerton Season 4, we should all prepare as much as we can for John’s death, but nothing can ever really prepare us for the inescapable tragedy.
like Bridgerton further, It will be difficult for any event to compare to John’s tragic death. Thankfully, none of the other Bridgerton siblings’ spouses die (at least, in the books). So, heading in Bridgerton Season 4, we should all prepare as much as we can for John’s death, but nothing can ever really prepare us for the inescapable tragedy.