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Actress Hannah Dodd—who plays Francesca on Bridgerton—exclusively told E! News what made her go "red in the cheeks" during the table read for season four of the Netflix romance.
Hannah Dodd experienced the pinnacle of awkwardness while prepping for Bridgerton.
The actress—who plays Francesca Bridgerton on the Netflix drama—shared what it's really like when the cast gets together for a table read of the steamy scripts, including those season four scenes in which Francesca uncomfortably asks her family about orgasms.
"The table read for some of those scenes, I was red in the cheeks—like, so embarrassed," she told E! News' Will Marfuggi in an exclusive interview. "I definitely had secondhand embarrassment, but I think they're written in a way that's so clever as well, that they were so much fun to do, and her innocence is so fun to play with."
Dodd, 30, knew right away that it was "going to be hilarious" to see Francesca awkwardly talk to mom Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), sister-in-law Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and husband John Stirling (Victor Alli) about what to expect during her sexual "pinnacle."
And while nothing may sound more embarrassing than a mother-daughter sex talk, Dodd noted that her scenes with Gemmell were actually the opposite, "because she's too funny that I just was literally in hysterics."
But aside from adding some humor to the show, Dodd explained how Francesca's confusion serves a powerful purpose.
"It's really important that Bridgerton shows that it's not perfect on the first time, every single time," she said. "These women are sent into marriages so unprepared and so innocent, and that men are allowed to have this experience, and it's not something that's, in that time, spoken about."
Liam Daniel/Netflix
As Dodd put it, her character has a particularly hard time discussing these topics since she "anatomically" doesn't understand what should happen or what she should feel while being intimate with John Stirling.
"It's quite difficult, especially for an introvert, to broach that subject," she shared. "It's really important to close that gap between them. There's so much love and respect in their relationship already, but they just need to learn to communicate some of the difficult things. And in going through that, that story represents so much more within their relationship."
Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2024
See what climactic moment is in store for Francesca and John when part two of Bridgerton season four drops on Feb. 26.
For more tea on the behind-the-scenes moments from season four, read on.
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Sibling Rivalry
Luke Thompson (who plays Benedict Bridgerton) and Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) killed some time during filming by playing a clapping game.
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Back to Besties
Looks like Eloise and Penelope Featherington (played by Nicola Coughlan) are closer than ever, as the actresses were in good spirits on set.
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Sisterly Shenanigans
Hannah Dodd (who plays Francesca Bridgerton) joined Claudia in making some silly faces during a chilly day on set.
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Stirling Personality
Victor Alli (who plays John Stirling) shared a funny behind-the-scenes moment while shooting Bridgerton season four.
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No Raining on This Parade
The cast—which includes new members Yerin Ha (Sophie), Katie Leung (Lady Araminta Gun), Michelle Mao (Rosamund Li) and Isabella Wei (Posy Li)—was equipped with umbrellas even when it got rainy on set.
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Puppy Love
There were clearly no ruff moments behind the scenes.
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All Smiles
The costars flashed a smile while bundled up for the show, which centers on Benedict and Sophie's love story.
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