Why did Ruby Stokes Leave Bridgerton?

British actress Ruby Stokes was cast as Francesca, the sixth Bridgerton child, in the 2020 Shondaland-produced Netflix period drama Bridgerton.

However, she was noticeably absent from most of the episodes when the Netflix period romance’s second season premiered in March 2022.

Her absence was due to the fact that Ruby Stokes left Bridgerton to star in Netflix’s new supernatural series Lockwood & Co.

She told Variety in an interview published Tuesday, February 14, 2023, that the choice to leave the show “wasn’t an easy decision,” and that “It was incredible being part of a cultural moment like Bridgerton,”

Ruby Stokes added that “Lucy on Lockwood & Co.” just drew her in. “The versatility in acting is so joyous, and there was something about Lucy that just drew me to her. I found her very exciting and being presented with that opportunity, I wanted to take it and explore it.”

Bridgerton showrunner Chris Van Dusen previously discussed Stokes’ departure with TVLine in March 2022, saying, “I love Francesca, but we lost her midway through season 2.”