On 'Bridgerton,' [SPOILER]'s Death Left Francesca Reeling and Fans Stunned — What Happened?!

For the Bridgerton family, loss and change is a way of life. From the Bridgerton patriarch losing his life to the siblings marrying and moving away, there's always something to be adjusted to in the Bridgerton world.

But sometimes those changes come so breathtakingly fast that it throws everything into chaos.

Part 1 of Season 4 brought one such change after Hannah Dodd's Francesca Bridgerton's husband, John Stirling, played by Victor Alli, abruptly died. The death changed the course of Francesca's life, opening new doors that she would later walk through. But even as fans adjusted to John's abrupt passing, people wondered: why did he die in the first place?

Luckily, the books hold answers even if the show is distressingly mum on the reason. Here's what we know about John's death.

In the series, we see shy and socially-avoidant Francesca create a touching bond with John Stirling, who shares her appreciation for art and avoiding people at any given opportunity.

They bond over music, and seem to be able to enjoy parallel time spent. Rather than the bodice-rippers we see Francesca's siblings fall into, John and Francesca have a quiet and dignified relationship.

But just as people are getting used to their relationship, John's cousin Michaela notwithstanding, Francesca goes to wake John only to find he has apparently passed in his sleep.

So, why did he die? Unfortunately, the Netflix adaptation doesn't really offer any answers. But, fortunately, the novels do. In the novel, When He Was Wicked, author Julia Quinn added a note to explain John's passing.

Julia explained, "John died of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Cerebral aneurysms are congenital weak spots in the walls of blood vessels within the brain. They may lie dormant for many years or they may rapidly enlarge and then rupture, leading the bleeding in the brain, which can be followed by unconsciousness, coma, and death. Headaches brought on by ruptured cerebral aneurysms are sudden and explosive but can be proceeded by a lingering headache for some time prior to the actual rupture."

Meanwhile, other things are happening in Francesca's world. Namely: Michaela. In the novels, Francesca's continued place in the Stirling family is assured after the widowed Bridgerton marries John's cousin, Michael Stirling.

However, in the series, we're introduced to John's cousin, Michaela. Given her chemistry with Francesca and their increasingly close "friendship," fans have surmised that Michaela will fill Michael's role.

Part of what made Michael important for Francesca's future was his ability to keep her married and a Stirling. Michaela can't offer that, so it's unclear how their relationship will shake out.

Showrunner and executive producer Jess Brownell told Glamour, “There are also some elements of her story that allow us to make sure we can tell a pretty happy ending for Francesca and Michaela. It was important for me in telling a main queer story for us to be able to give them a happily ever after, as we have with every other couple.”

John may be gone, but Francesca's heart journey is just beginning.