For Bridgerton fans, there's just a week left to wait for the second half of the episodes of season 4. However, with the trailer, Netflix hints at a death, making fans nervous, like the viewers of Game of Thrones. But who could it be?
Why would someone die? As with any series and film with an enthusiastic fanbase, the viewers of Bridgerton have closely examined the latest trailer. It was noted that Violet Bridgerton is wearing black mourning attire in one scene.
In fact, there was speculation long before the start of the second season about whether one or another character would survive season 4 – for various reasons. Some characters die in the following books, which is important for their plot. Others are on the death list because their real-life counterparts die during the current season, specifically in the years 1817 and 1818.
We have identified the five characters that, in our view, are most likely to be affected.
A death in Bridgerton? Here are the possible candidates
John Stirling
Poor John Stirling is probably at the top of most people's bingo cards: He is the husband of Francesca Bridgerton. The two just got married in season three and are currently just shy of a year married during season four.
In the current plot of season four, they are struggling with the fact that, despite a year of marriage filled with intimacy, they are not yet pregnant. Francesca is particularly worried that she might be doing something wrong.
Why could he die? John looks young and appears healthy. In fact, his death after only a few years of marriage is at the beginning of Francesca's book, Bridgerton – A Delightfully Wicked Gentleman
. Accordingly, John unfortunately has to pass away before Francesca's season.
If it indeed happens to John, it could indicate that season five will focus on Francesca's story.
King George the Third
King George III is already an old man during the time of Bridgerton. As shown in season two of the main series and the prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
, he suffers from a mental illness. These cannot be cured or effectively treated by the doctors of the 19th century. Nonetheless, he and the queen have a close, loving relationship.
Due to his age and (at least in reality) a severe metabolic disease, he can no longer rule himself, so his son takes over as regent. Hence the name of the period: Regency.
Why could he die? Since he actually dies in 1820, King George in season four still has a few years ahead of him. However, Queen Charlotte is clearly worried about him, which suggests an off-screen deterioration of his condition. The king's death would therefore plunge all of Great Britain into mourning.
Queen Charlotte
The extravagant and highly revered queen of Bridgerton could also be the one who dies. At the beginning of season four, she is very worried that her husband might die before her. This prompts her to convince Lady Danbury to stay by her side.
Why could she die? In reality, Queen Charlotte's counterpart dies in November 1818. Her husband survives her. Since season four at least partially takes place in her year of death, she is a valid candidate. However, it contradicts that there are set photos of Queen Charlotte in which she herself is wearing a black mourning gown.
Lady Danbury
The esteemed Lady Agatha Danbury seems to have her fingers in the affairs of almost all members of the ton. She is a good friend of Lady Violet Bridgerton, the mother of the marrying children, and a constant presence by Queen Charlotte's side.
In season four, though, she hopes to retire from the queen's service: Agatha wants to visit her children and grandchildren overseas. However, Charlotte does not see it that way at all. This puts a strain on their friendship.
Why could she die? Lady Danbury is neither ill, nor is she modeled after a real figure with a known date of death, and she does not (yet) die in the books. However, she yearns to see her children and grandchildren again in her old age. For this, she even asks the queen for release from service. Additionally, in season four, she positions a successor: Alice Mondrich.
However, her character may indeed just be removed for one or two seasons, maybe through a journey. In the books, Lady Danbury becomes significantly important in the book of Hyacinth, the youngest Bridgerton child.
Marina
Marina is a character from season one of Bridgerton and only appeared briefly in season two. Her dilemma is that she is pregnant by a young soldier. She hides this and tries to catch a husband with the help of the Featheringtons. However, this is thwarted by Lady Whistledown aka Penelope Featherington: Marina has caught the eye of Colin Bridgerton – whom Penelope is in love with.
In the end, Daphne finds the brother of the soldier who died in the war, Sir Philipp Crane. Marina marries him and moves to the countryside with him. There she gives birth to her twins.
Why could she die? Marina does not have a specific counterpart in the books. However, she is presumably the substitute for Philipp's wife, who in turn is the love interest of Eloise Bridgerton. For the love story of Eloise to begin, Marina must unfortunately die: Eloise sends Philipp a letter upon the death of his wife and the two become pen pals – which leads to their romance.
Until the release of the new episodes, we will nevertheless continue to speculate about who might be affected. However, the deaths of John or Marina seem most likely, as they would directly lead into the plot of the next seasons.
In Game of Thrones, on the other hand, most characters die rather abruptly and unexpectedly. Recently occurred in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In the main series, however, there is a character who has been monitoring the fortunes of the world for over 120 years and specifically influences those of Bran.
