Francesca Bridgerton — the third Bridgerton daughter and sixth sibling in total — is a perfect little sister. She bites her tongue when someone wears a ridiculous outfit (ask Eloise) and offers up the lowest grade of sisterly chiding when Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) returns to Bridgerton Season 2, mustachioed and sunburnt. But the pragmatic and reserved Francesa is about to change in a big way come Season 3. Francesca has been recast and will be played by a new actress, Hannah Dodd. Dodd and the rest of the Bridgerton cast will begin production on Season 3 over the summer. 

The news isn’t a shock worthy of Lady Whistledown’s sharpest words since 21-year-old Ruby Stokes, who originally portrayed Francesca, announced her exit from the series in March. Stokes has been tapped as the lead in another Netflix project, supernatural thriller Lockwood & Co. 

Fans of Anatomy of a Scandal will recognize Dodd when she makes her Bridgerton debut as the dry-witted Francesca. The British actor co-starred in Anatomy of a Scandal as a younger version of Sienna Miller’s character, Sophie. Dodd also led Flowers in the Attic: The Origins, a miniseries inspired by the book of the same name. Later this year, viewers will be able to catch her in the sequel to Millie Bobby Brown’s YA blockbuster Enola Holmes 2 in a mysterious new supporting role. 

A new face in the ton — and a Bridgerton at that? The ballroom is sure to be set ablaze come Season 3.