Hannah Dodd lights up the screen

Hannah Dodd is quickly becoming a name to watch in the entertainment industry. The 29-year-old actor grew up in Leavenheath, a village on the Essex-Suffolk border, and started acting professionally straight after graduating from the London Studio Centre, where she trained in ballet, contemporary jazz and musical theatre. It was acting that was Dodd’s true calling, though. After leaving school, she was awarded a role in the teen sci-fi fantasy drama Find Me in Paris. Now you’ll recognise the rising British star from shows like Anatomy of a Scandal, films like Enola Holmes 2 and juggernauts like Bridgerton.

Her new role in the third series of everyone’s favourite period drama is her most prominent to date. She plays Francesca Bridgerton in the Netflix show, having taken over the part from Ruby Stokes – and it’s fair to say that people had been awaiting Dodd’s rendition of the regency socialite with bated breath.

Jordan Rossi: You’re playing Francesca Bridgerton in the latest series of Bridgerton. How does it feel to join such a renowned series and how would you describe your character?

Hannah Dodd: Bloomin’ terrifying! But I’m so grateful to have been able to join such a loved show, and I’m so thankful to the cast for welcoming me. Francesca is making her society debut this season, but she’s slightly more introverted than her Bridgerton siblings – she avoids the spotlight at all costs. But we get to know her so much more as the season progresses. I really hope audiences enjoy Frannie as much as I do.