Gentle readers, and not-so-gentle ones, we have an exciting update for Bridgerton season 5.
Based on Julia Quinn’s historical romance novels, Bridgerton is one of Netflix’s biggest original series, providing sexy, romantic escapism in a period setting where history has been rewritten to allow for more racial diversity and way more colourful clothes.
We know who will get their love story in seasons 5 and 6!
Though it has an ensemble cast and features a narrator who is interested in everyone in the ton (London’s high society during the Regency era), each season pays particular focus to one of the eight siblings in the titular Bridgerton family, who are named in alphabetical order. However, the show is following them not in the order of their birth, but in the order of their marriages: eldest daughter Daphne, fourth-born, was the focus of the first season; first-born Anthony the second, third-born Colin the third, and second-born Benedict the central sibling of the fourth season.
We not only know the leads of Bridgerton season five, but we also know some exciting new characters joining the ton.
Bridgerton season 5 will focus on Francesca
It's been revealed that the sixth sibling, Francesca, will be taking up most of the screen time.
During the Colin-focused season 3, Francesca quietly married John Stirling, with whom she shares a deep friendship and a tender but not particularly passionate sex life. However, he passed away suddenly, leaving the young woman widowed.
At the end of the season, it was revealed that Francesca is queer (though she may not realise it), as she developed feelings for Stirling’s female cousin, Michaela, who came back into Francesca’s life in season 4 and then quickly left again when she fled Mayfair.
Bridgerton's showrunner Jess Brownell has been inundated with questions since that cliffhanger. And now, she's finally ready to answer them. Speaking to Netflix, she revealed that “More than ever, season 5 is going to be about yearning", hinting that we're about to witness the series' first sapphic love story. “It feels groundbreaking. Obviously, there are a lot of great shows that have depicted queer love. We’re not the first by any means,” she continued. “But to make an entire Bridgerton season about a sapphic relationship feels huge.”
How does this relate to Quinn's original novels? Brace yourself: spoilers ahead! In the book series, Francesca’s husband dies, and she then marries his cousin, Michael. For series 5, Netflix have confirmed that the same basic beats of the narrative will stay the same – grieving widow, new romantic prospects with a cousin – while turning into queer love story with a major gender swap.
“I’ve said from the beginning that this show, in so many ways, is about allowing people to see themselves represented, allowing themselves to dream, and imagine themselves in these fantastical roles,” said Brownell. “It never felt right to not be inclusive of queer love as well within that fantasy.”
What is the plot of Bridgerton season 5?
According to Netflix, "The fifth season of Bridgerton spotlights introverted middle daughter Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons. But when John’s cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran’s complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions."
Which cast members are returning for season 5?
Aside from Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza), we’re still waiting on official confirmation for the rest of the Bridgerton season five cast. That said, there’s no reason to believe the following familiar faces won’t be back:
- Benedict Bridgerton: Luke Thompson
- Sophie Baek: Yerin Ha
- Violet, Lady Bridgerton: Ruth Gemmell
- Anthony Bridgerton: Jonathan Bailey
- Kate Bridgerton: Simone Ashley
- Penelope Bridgerton: Nicola Coughlan
- Colin Bridgerton: Luke Newton
- Eloise Bridgerton: Claudia Jessie
- Queen Charlotte: Golda Rosheuvel
- Lord Marcus Anderson: Daniel Francis
- Will Mondrich: Martins Imhangbe
- Alice Mondrich: Emma Naomi
For obvious reasons, John Stirling (Victor Alli) won’t be back — unless it’s in flashbacks. Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) is also unlikely to return, given her plans to travel. It’s still unclear whether Lady Araminta and her daughters will make an appearance, while Daphne Bridgerton-Basset (Phoebe Dynevor), who was absent from season four, is not expected to return for the next instalment either.
Showrunner Jess Brownell explained the difficult decision.
Which new characters are joining Bridgerton season 5?
Netflix has revealed the details and the actors behind three exciting new characters set to join the ton in season five.
Tega Alexander will take on the role of Christopher Anderson. Yes, that Anderson — as in Lord Anderson — with Christopher introduced as his son. A Regency-era Casanova, he’s poised to give the Bridgerton bachelors a serious run for their money. But beneath the charm and cheeky confidence lies a thread of self-doubt that could threaten to unravel him. As for who might fall under his spell? Eloise feels unlikely, but Posy or Rosamund could be contenders if they return. Alexander may already be on your radar from MobLand and The Sandman.
Jacqueline Boatswain joins the cast as Helen Stirling, Michaela’s mother. Tasked with guiding her daughter through the chaos of the London social season, she’s bringing plenty of tough love with her. Boatswain has recently wrapped on The Blame for ITV opposite Michelle Keegan, and has also appeared in The Diplomat, The Marlow Murder Club, and Little Disasters.
Gemma Knight Jones will play Lady Elizabeth Ashworth, an old friend of Michaela’s. Acting as her guide and confidante in London, she’s well-versed in the unspoken rules of society, and clearly set to play a pivotal role in Michaela’s journey. She also appeared in MobLand
Which siblings are left for seasons 7 and 8?
The two youngest Bridgertons are Gregory and Hyacinth. In the fourth season, we learn that Gregory has gone to Eton to study and returned with a fuzzy beard, while Hyacinth is eagerly throwing herself into training for her eventual society debut, memorising the rules of hostessing and sneaking into balls.
Actors Will Tilson and Florence Hunt are both 19 in real life, and could conceivably film sex scenes by the time their turns in the spotlight roll around, but it wouldn’t be out of the question to recast the roles with older actors just so the audience doesn’t still think of them as the kids they were in season 1.
The plan has always been for an eight-season show, though that depends on Netflix, which has so far renewed the series through season 6.
A version of this article originally appeared on Glamour US.
