Who is Michaela Stirling in Bridgerton? Francesca connection explained

While Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington take centre stage in Bridgerton season 3, there are plenty of subplots for fans to also get their teeth stuck into. From figuring out who Cressida Cowper ends up marrying to Eloise's friendship, fans have also been wondering exactly what happens with Francesca Bridgerton. So who is Michaela Stirling, John's cousin, who we meet at the end of season 3?

In case you need a recap, the first four episodes of Bridgerton season 3 see Francesca (now played by Hannah Dodd) being introduced to the marriage mart, meeting John Stirling, aka the Earl of Kilmartin, who catches her eye when he gives her a piece of music that fits her style perfectly.

By episode eight, the pair are married and heading to Scotland, accompanied by his cousin, Michaela, who first appears at the Dankworth-Finch ball. Immediately there's (sexual?) tension between Michaela and Francesca, with Michaela's first words to Francesca coming as a (flirty?) warning: "Every sordid detail John has told you about me is a lie. The truth is far worse."

Who is Michaela Stirling in Bridgerton? Connection to Francesca explained

So who is Michaela Stirling, and what happens in the Bridgerton books?

In Julia Quinn's Bridgerton books, Michaela is actually a man, Michael, and as fans of Francesca's novel, When He Was Wicked, will know, Francesca actually goes on to marry Michael, following John's tragic passing. Wait, does that mean Francesca will go on to marry Michaela in the series? Honestly things you love to see!

It's clear that Francesca is lost for words when she first meets Michaela, something which her mother Violet also revealed she suffered from when she first met Francesca's father, and there is definitely chemistry between them. Speaking of the potential for a queer love story for Francesca, showrunner Jess Brownell said, "I just want to say that I don't think that the reveal of Francesca's future queerness negates what she has with John. I personally don't believe in a hierarchy of relationships. Every relationship is different, and lots of different kinds of love are valid.

"The kind of love she has for John is very real. It's much more based on companionship and friendship and respect and shared interests than it is perhaps on passion. But passion is just one element of a relationship. Going forward, I'm hopeful to tell a very nuanced story about Francesca having two great loves in her life. "

Masali Baduza plays Michaela, and we can't wait to see more of her on screen.