HANNAH HAS A TON OF FUN
Actress Hannah Dodd auditioned for the first series of Netflix smash Bridgerton but the call-back never came. However, if at first you do not succeed..
WALKING on to the set as the new girl in “the Ton” was something Hannah Dodd had both dreamed of and was equally terrified of. The 28-year-old is a new face in Netflix smash Bridgerton and plays Francesca, stepping into the shoes of Ruby Stokes who previously played her. And for Hannah, also a model and a dancer, getting the call years after auditioning for a key part in the first series of the Regency drama was a dream come true but equally scary. She said: “I’m a massive fan of the show, I have been from the very beginning, so to suddenly find myself joining the cast as Francesca Bridgerton was scary as well as exciting. “The first day, stepping on to the Bridgerton set, was terrifying. “But everyone made me feel very welcome and it’s an absolute joy to be a part of it. “It’s the nicest cast and crew to work with in every way. I had the best time and I feel like I have made friends for life being part of this show.” For Hannah, who modelled in a Burberry ad campaign with Romeo Beckham and has starred in Anatomy of A Scandal, it has all been a long time coming. She said: “I auditioned for season one. I read a couple of scripts and became a Bridgerton fan from then really. “It didn’t quite work out then but I was delighted to get the call for this season and to get to play a character like Francesca.” Francesca, one of the eight Bridgerton siblings, was played by Ruby in the first two series. But she was also starring in another Netflix show, Lockwood & Co, and filming clashed. Her part had to be recast and that’s when Hannah, also in Enola Holmes 2 alongside Millie Bobby Brown, got the job.
The show follows the noble Bridgerton siblings as they navigate London high society in search of love, adventure and happiness.
Series one saw Francesca’s sister Daphne, portrayed by Phoebe Dynevor, find love with Rege-Jean Page’s hot Duke Simon Hastings amid some steamy sex scenes.
The second series focused on the enemies-to-lovers tale of Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma. Francesca, who is said to come into her own in this series as she becomes the latest sibling to debut in society, might have to wait until a later series though to see her lovelife come to fruition.
In Julia Quinn’s books, which the show is based on, Francesca’s starring moment doesn’t come until the sixth novel.
In that book, When He Was Wicked, Francesca is the central character and one scene is described as one of the most sensual in period romantic fiction.
Hannah hopes she’ll still be on board for her big storyline. She said: “Francesca has an amazing story arc in the book and it would be incredible to have that be part of the show.”
She added: “She’s different to the other Bridgerton siblings and she goes about things in a different way. “I identify with her a lot. “Up to now she has been seen as quite nervous and shy but there is more to her than that. She has the bravery to go to the Queen and she is someone who doesn’t need constant validation. She’s independent and I really admire that in her. She’s a wonderful character to play.”
Fans of the books and the series know that plotlines can differ, so Hannah said she has no idea what’s in store for Francesca.
She said: “I really don’t know but I’m excited to find out. The writers for Bridgerton are incredible so I know it’s going to be good, whatever it is. I just hope she steps up and goes after the things that make her happy because she deserves it.” Her biggest challenge was learning the piano.
She said: “And not just learning and playing the piano... playing Mozart! I can’t say that what you hear is me playing but I had to make it look like it was. That was pretty challenging and the biggest learning curve, definitely.”
Hannah, who used to work in a pub, took etiquette and dialect lessons. Bridgerton has been known to turn its actors into hot property. When the first series hit screens it made overnight stars of Phoebe and Rege-Jean. But it’s unlikely Hannah will have her head in the clouds if that level of fame appears. She is quite happy doing everyday things when she’s not on set. She said: “I love Beyonce’s new album. I love Ariana Grande’s new album and I am obsessed with Noah Kahan right now. “A job like this takes up a lot of your time but when I’m not working, I just love to spend time with family and friends. I love to read.” She laughed: “Nothing very exciting.”