Who Is Michaela Stirling in Bridgerton? Lord John Talks All about His Cousin

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Just when you thought you couldn’t love the Stirling family more, Bridgerton Season 3 introduces another intriguing character. Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and newcomer Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) seem to have a relatively smooth journey. Unlike the dramatic events of previous seasons, such as Kate Bridgerton’s (Simone Ashley) horse-riding accident or Penelope Bridgerton’s (Nicola Coughlan) deep secrets, Francesca and John’s romance faces fewer obstacles. Even Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) quickly approves of their match, allowing the sweet couple to celebrate an intimate wedding in the Season 3 finale.

However, the season’s final ball brings an unexpected twist with the arrival of Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), John’s cousin. Michaela, with her rakish charm, claims that every sordid detail rumored about her is a lie, hinting that the truth is even more scandalous. Francesca is left speechless, mirroring the reaction her mother, Violet (Ruth Gemmell), had when she first met Edmund Bridgerton (Rupert Evans).

“Francesca gets together with John Stirling, and I really love that relationship. I think a lot of people will ship Francesca and John — as do I,” showrunner Jess Brownell tells Tudum. “But part of her exploration going forward will be about whether or not there is in fact something missing. Book readers will know what it means when she meets Michaela.”

Michaela is a gender-swapped version of Michael Stirling, a lead character in When He Was Wicked, the sixth book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels. In the book, Michael is John’s beloved cousin and Francesca’s close companion.

Victor Alli, who portrays Lord John, was thrilled to welcome Masali Baduza into the Bridgerton fold. He met Baduza on her first day of filming, and their connection was immediate. “We just hugged each other for so long, and it was the sweetest thing. I was like, ‘Oh, finally, you are here! Some family,’” Alli recalls. “I feel like — John, he’s just on his own, he’s got no family. None of his family came to his wedding, which is crazy.”

As Episode 8 concludes, John is surrounded by family. He, Francesca, Michaela, and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) embark on a journey to Scotland, where the Stirling ancestral home is located.

What’s next for this traveling party? And what was it like for Alli to share the screen with Baduza? As Alli reveals, the ton’s most mysterious family may have more secrets and adventures in store.