Did [Spoiler] Confirm Their Character’s Death? Why ‘Bridgerton’ Fans Think So

As Bridgerton fans continue to worry that a major character is dying in the second part of season 4, a cast member hinted at their departure.

The hit Netflix series returns on Thursday, February 26, by picking up where it left off with Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie’s romance (Yerin Ha). The sneak peek for part 2 caused concern when viewers noticed several characters dressed in black attire. It remains unclear whose funeral the others could potentially attend since there are several options.

Many fans of Julia Quinn‘s Bridgerton book series, however, had pointed out that John (Victor Alli) is the most reasonable conclusion based on Francesca’s (Hannah Dodd) story. Quinn’s When He Was Wicked is focused on Francesca’s marriage to now-husband John before his shocking death. Francesca would then go on to find love again with John’s cousin Michael. (The series swapped Michael out for Michaela, played by Masali Baduza, during the season 3 finale.)

While Alli, 30, wouldn’t confirm or deny his onscreen fate, he did spark rumors of an exit. The actor was asked about his experience on Bridgerton amid his rumored last scene with the show.

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“Words can’t quite encapsulate what it’s meant to be on this wonderful show,” he told Numero Netherlands earlier this month. “I’ve met people who I’ll be friends with for a long time and I’m so thankful to have been a part of it. I’ll miss them all greatly.”

Alli talking about Bridgerton in the past tense quickly caused concern for viewers. He previously spoke exclusively to Us Weekly about the overwhelming concern for his character despite John still being alive — for now.

“It’s like, ‘Just let the scenes happen.’ I’m just like, ‘I don’t wanna start grieving John already,’” Alli joked to Us in 2024 about the fans hinting at John’s fate before it’s happened on screen. “Everyone’s like, ‘He’s dead already.’”

Alli noted that he understood that fans who know what is in store for John are prematurely mourning the character.

“It is nice that people are invested. It’s nice that people know the story and it’s nice that people care. That was part of what [showrunner] Jess [Brownell] wanted. She really wanted the fans to be invested in John and Francesca,” Alli explained to Us. “So that when [John] does eventually go, it will be so, so hard and really tough. It’ll be really sad actually because I know that I’m gonna obviously leave Bridgerton eventually.”

John’s tragic future is such a spoiler that Alli’s casting wasn’t even announced until the first batch of episodes dropped. Instead of basking in the success of his new role, Alli initially recalled having to go through great lengths to hide his association with the show.

“I had some friends who found out and asked me. I denied it. I denied it hard,” he recalled about set photos surfacing. “It was funny because when the pictures came out and it was obviously me, I had to say ‘No.’” People are like, ‘It just looks like you.’ I was like, ‘That’s crazy. I’ve got a doppelgänger. I’d love to meet him.’ I’ve never had to do that. I’ve never had to have that experience. It was quite surreal. But I just found it funny as well.”

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The story line for his character is such an open secret that even Alli’s costars poked fun at the book spoilers on set.

“Everyone knows what’s gonna happen and everyone knows my fate. There’ll be moments where I’ll be doing a scene and Luke might just be like, ‘Well, it’s fine. You’re gonna die anyway,’” Alli quipped. “So it was just really, really funny.”

Despite knowing where John’s story goes, Alli made an effort not to let it influence his work.

“I didn’t allow it to shape my performance. It’s part of the story and of course that happens in the future and what will be will be. But I guess you don’t anticipate it,” he noted. “Everything I did was just in the moment as opposed to, ‘Oh, gosh, I’m gonna die soon.’ It was more in the moment and living in the now.”

There is also the chance that Eloise’s (Claudia Jessie) turn is sooner — and Quinn’s To Sir Phillip, With Love hinges on Marina’s (Ruby Barker) death. Following Marina’s death, Eloise gets in touch with Phillip (Chris Fulton), which kickstarts their romance.

Other options include Queen Charlotte’s (Golda Rosheuvel) husband, King George (James Fleet), whom she mentioned earlier this season. Historically, the real Charlotte’s death would be coming up in the next few years, which could get moved up.

Season 4 of Bridgerton returns for part 2 on Thursday, February 26.