Bridgerton Star Confirms Character's Cause of Death Following Shocking Season 4 Twist
Warning: Major spoilers for Bridgerton season four, part two are detailed below.
Bridgerton has delivered its most shocking death yet in the second part of its fourth season, which premiered on Thursday. The tragic demise of Lord John Stirling has left fans reeling, and now the actor behind the character has revealed the precise medical cause.
The Fatal Moment in Episode Six
At the beginning of episode six, everything appears to be falling into place for the introverted couple Lord John Stirling and his wife Lady Francesca Stirling, née Bridgerton. After overcoming numerous challenges earlier in the season, they seem poised for happiness. John retires upstairs for a nap before dinner, but when Francesca attempts to wake him, she discovers he is unresponsive. The horrifying reality sets in swiftly: he has passed away in his sleep.
In a candid interview with Netflix's Tudum publication, actor Victor Alli discussed his character's untimely end. "I wanted to fall off a horse," Alli remarked, reflecting on the unexpected nature of John's death. However, the show presents the cause as ambiguous, leaving viewers to speculate.
Clarification from the Creative Team
Alli has now clarified that John Stirling died from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, a detail confirmed to him by the Bridgerton creative team during production. This aligns perfectly with the source material. In the books by author Julia Quinn, which inspire the Netflix series, it is explicitly stated that John succumbed to a brain aneurysm.
A cerebral aneurysm, also known as a brain aneurysm, is a weak or thin spot in a blood vessel within the brain that balloons out and fills with blood. A rupture results in bleeding into the brain, potentially leading to unconsciousness, coma, and death. Quinn emphasises that "Nothing could have been done to save him" and that, due to the limited medical knowledge of the era, "John's death would have remained a mystery to those who loved him. All Francesca would ever know was that her husband had a headache, lay down, and died."
Emotional Aftermath and Cast Tributes
John's death is followed by a deeply emotional funeral scene, where a grieving Francesca, portrayed by Hannah Dodd, is thrust into hostess duties. Dodd shared her approach to depicting Francesca's stoicism with Tudum, stating, "Portraying Francesca's stoicism terrified me at first because I didn't want it to look like she didn't care. But I do think that's a really realistic look at how people react. It's so painful and raw, but you have things you have to focus on."
Additionally, after the final scenes of season four, Bridgerton paid tribute to two real-life crew members who passed away. A dedication title card displayed before the credits read: "In loving memory of Nicholas Braimbridge, Tony Cooper." Braimbridge served as a scenic artist on both Bridgerton and its spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, while Cooper worked as a unit driver, transporting cast, crew, and equipment across various filming locations.
Bridgerton season four is currently available for streaming on Netflix, continuing to captivate audiences with its dramatic twists and heartfelt performances.
