The highly anticipated Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 delivers a pivotal and tragic turning point with the sudden death of John Stirling, a development that reshapes the lives of Francesca Bridgerton and his cousin, Michaela Stirling. In an exclusive interview with Collider, stars Hannah Dodd (Francesca), Victor Alli (John), and Masali Baduza (Michaela) delved into the profound impact of John’s passing, Francesca’s deep grief, and Michaela’s unexpected departure from London, offering a unique glimpse into their characters' emotional journeys.

John Stirling’s marital bliss with Francesca is abruptly cut short at the close of Episode 6, "The Passing Winter," when he succumbs to an unforeseen illness after taking a nap. Victor Alli, who portrays John, reflected on his character's final moments. Alli shared that John’s last look back into the room at Francesca and Michaela, as they hovered over a jigsaw puzzle, was one of profound relief. He believed John was content that the two women had forged a genuine friendship "without me," finding their connection independently. Regarding the "celebration of life" held in Episode 7, Alli expressed his satisfaction, stating that he found it "perfect" and couldn't imagine adding anything further to the thoughtfully planned event.

Hannah Dodd recounted the intense process of portraying Francesca’s raw grief, particularly the haunting scream she delivers upon discovering John's death. Dodd described the initial scream as so powerful that editors found it "giving horror movie," leading to subsequent ADR sessions to refine its intensity. She also shed light on Francesca's subsequent feelings of abandonment following Michaela’s sudden exit. Francesca, whose "whole gravity has just been ripped from her," saw Michaela as a crucial "survival mechanism"—the only other person who truly understood John and could empathize with her profound loss. Michaela's departure leaves Francesca feeling devastated, grappling with the agonizing thought that "everybody leaves me, nobody loves me," forcing her to "learn to walk again" through her immense sorrow, albeit with the support of her loving Bridgerton family.

Masali Baduza elaborated on Michaela’s reasons for her abrupt departure from London without a goodbye. For Michaela, John was an unparalleled source of security, one of the few individuals who truly knew her beneath the protective layers she had built. The loss of such a secure and understanding presence proved to be "too much" for her, rendering her unable to "literally cannot cope with that reality." Baduza explained that Michaela’s sudden exit was a desperate attempt to "pretend that it didn't happen," highlighting her character's deep emotional vulnerability and inability to confront the overwhelming grief.

The actors also shared their personal desires for the Stirling trio, reflecting on the adventures they wished John, Francesca, and Michaela could have embarked on if John's life hadn't been cut short. Hannah Dodd expressed a longing to see them in Scotland, perhaps on a hike, while Victor Alli humorously added horse riding, archery, swimming, and even skydiving to the list, along with the more mundane activity of observing his character at Parliament. All three agreed on the enjoyment of more jigsaw puzzles, a shared activity that offered a glimpse into their characters' budding camaraderie. The interview concluded with a lighthearted discussion about the fictional Pall Mall game. Alli speculated that Michaela, being competitive, would excel, potentially leading to a "heated rivalry." John, he suggested, would be strategic and take his time, while Francesca, as Dodd playfully admitted, "is not very good" at such games.