In Netflix’s latest season of Bridgerton, Francesca Bridgerton embarks on a personal journey to understand female pleasure, and the show’s writers had to get creative when deciding how to describe her elusive climax.
Hannah Dodd, who portrays Francesca, revealed that the character repeatedly uses the word “pinnacle” to refer to orgasm. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said the word ‘pinnacle’ in the last year of my life,” Dodd joked during an interview.
Set during Britain’s Regency era, the series balances historical authenticity with modern sensibilities. Showrunner Jess Brownell explained that while the word “orgasm” existed in the 17th century, it was primarily a clinical term and wouldn’t have fit naturally in Francesca’s dialogue. “It needed to be a word that sounded right coming out of Francesca’s mouth over and over again,” Brownell said. After reviewing historical references and thesaurus options, “pinnacle” was chosen for its humor and originality.
Francesca’s storyline in Season 4 continues to follow her as a newlywed exploring intimacy with the Earl of Kilmartin, played by Victor Alli. While the season also advances the romances of the rest of the Bridgerton family, Francesca’s quest for sexual understanding provides a humorous yet relatable subplot.
Historian and sex novelist Jessica Cale praised the choice, calling it “very effective” despite not being strictly historically accurate. She noted that euphemisms for female climax have existed for centuries in literature, citing 18th-century works like Fanny Hill, which used elaborate terms such as “the critical ecstasy” and “the die-away moment” to describe orgasm.
As Francesca continues her pursuit of satisfaction, fans can expect both comedic and heartfelt moments. Dodd’s portrayal signals that the character may play a larger role in future seasons, with the “pinnacle” metaphor remaining a memorable and playful hallmark of her journey.
