'Bridgerton' season 5 in production, show announces 1st queer lead couple
"Bridgerton" is so back -- back in production for season 5, that is.
Netflix has announced that cameras have started rolling on the fifth season of the hit romance series, which is based on Julia Quinn's bestselling novels.
This new season will feature the middle Bridgerton daughter, Francesca Stirling, the Countess of Kilmartin, played by Hannah Dodd, as its lead. It will also be the first season of the series to have a queer couple at the forefront of the story.
"Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons," the season's official logline reads. "But when John's cousin Michaela 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."
Francesca, who "has long felt out of place in the world," according to a description from Netflix, "will make discoveries about herself that could change everything" in season 5.
Masali Baduza will return as Michaela Stirling, Francesca's love interest and the cousin of her late husband.
Michaela's "charming and vivacious exterior hides a vulnerable young woman who is quick to run the second she feels discomfort," a description from Netflix states. "But this season, Michaela must face her vulnerability head-on as she's forced to navigate her relationship to her late cousin's legacy -- and to Francesca."
Francesca's romantic storyline with Michaela was suggested at the end of season 3, which was released in 2024. At the time, some fans were upset over the twist, which strays away from her story in Quinn's sixth "Bridgerton" novel, "When He Was Wicked."
Quinn responded to the discourse online and said that she is "committed to the Bridgerton world becoming more diverse and inclusive as the stories move from book to screen."
"But switching the gender of a major character is a huge change, and so when Jess Brownell first approached me with the idea of turning Michael into Michaela for the show, I needed more information before conferring my agreement," she added.
Morevoer, Quinn said that she trusts Shondaland's "vision for Bridgerton," and said that she wanted to make sure that the show "could remain true to the spirit of the book and of the characters."
Dodd talked about the idea of Francesca's potential storyline ahead of season 4 and told "Good Morning America" Digital in an interview, "I'm really proud to be a part of that. I think this is a show that celebrates all kinds of love."
In a previous interview with ABC Audio about "Bridgerton" season 4, part 2, Baduza spoke about Michaela and Francesca's budding relationship.
"I think Michaela and Francesca bring out sides to them that they're maybe not used to having to confront," Baduza said at the time. "I think getting to see them become friends was so lovely."
She added, "Getting to see how unnerved Francesca makes Michaela, but her having to ... push all those feelings down and just pretend that no, she's not freaking out, was a nice challenge."
"Bridgerton" season 5 will consist of eight episodes. Brownell serves as its showrunner and executive producer, while Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica and Chris Van Dusen also executive produce.
