Bridgerton Season 5: Cast, Release Date And Everything We Know So Far

Now that Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha’s characters have found their happily ever, we’re ready for some more Bridgerton.

Back in March, Netflix began teasing more information about what fans should expect from the hit period drama’s next chapter, with its fifth iteration set to mark a turning point for Bridgerton.

If you’re as excited as us to return to the Ton, here’s everything we can tell you so far about the upcoming season 5…

After months of speculation, Netflix finally announced that the first series will revolve around Hannah Dodd’s Francesca and Masali Baduza’s Michaela.

The official synopsis for season five reads: “The fifth season of Bridgerton spotlights introverted middle daughter Francesca. Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran decides to re-enter the marriage mart for practical reasons.

“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.”

The last time viewers saw Francesca and Michaela, they were still reeling from the sudden death of Lord John Stirling. This loss leaves Francesca widowed, and Michaela without her closest confidant, forcing the pair to grow closer in their time of grief.

“They grieve very differently,” Hannah previously told Netflix. “I don’t think grieving is something that you get over. John’s going to be with Fran, and the impact of John will be with Fran forever.”

Season five will be inspired by Julia Quinn’s novel When He Was Wicked, and showrunner Jess Brownell says fans should expect Bridgerton’s signature mix of romance, laughs and pathos as well as “big-time yearning”.

“It’s going to be a season about queer joy. It is not going to be a season about queer trauma. … We’re having so much fun!” she said.

Meanwhile, speaking to Tudum, Masali teased that the show would have a darker side, with the new episodes exploring her character’s struggle to show her vulnerability.

“She’s used to having all these walls up. I’m excited to tear down those walls and have her let Francesca in,” the actor explained.

“I’m excited for people to see her wanted so deeply and so badly…I’m excited for people to see Michaela yearn for Francesca.”

Benedict Bridgerton has previously been shown having romantic encounters with men and women, but Bridgerton’s fifth season will be the first to have a queer love story as its central storyline.

This does mark a major departure from Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels, in which Francesca’s love interest was a male character named Michael, rather than a woman called Michaela.

Explaining this decision, Jess Brownell told Out Magazine: “I feel like Bridgerton made its name in many ways on being an inclusive universe, and for queer stories to be left out of that would not feel right.”

Speaking to Netflix, she described the choice as “groundbreaking”, enthusing: “To make an entire Bridgerton season about a sapphic relationship feels huge.”

Hannah and Masali are just as excited to lead this historical season of the streaming romance, with the latter claiming that queer love stories “have traditionally been excluded from things like period dramas – and queer people did exist, have always existed, and will always exist”.

Masali agreed: “It’s been really special to have Jess guide us on this journey, because she’s very excited about this story. What we really want to achieve is giving a realistic view of queer love onscreen and [giving them] a happily ever after.”

As mentioned, Hannah Dodd and Masali Baduza will take centre stage as Francesca and Michaela.

Joining them in the upcoming series will be The Sandman’s Tega Alexander as Christopher, the Casanova son of Lord Anderson, Carnival Row actor Jacqueline Boastwain as Michaela’s mother, Helen, and Mobland’s Gemma Knight as Lady Elizabeth Ashworth, an old friend of Michaela’s, who serves as her confidante and London guide.

Netflix has not yet confirmed the full season five cast, although most of your favourite actors are expected to return, including Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Golda Rosheuvel’s Queen Charlotte, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Polly Walker as Portia Featherington, Lorraine Ashbourne’s Mrs. Varley and Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown.

Nicola Coughlan has confirmed her return, too, but explained it will be in a more limited capacity.

Speaking to the Dish from Waitrose podcast, the former Derry Girls star said: “Season five has started filming already, so I won’t be in it very much. But I’m always happy to come back.”

There’s also been no official word on whether Simone Ashley, Luke Thompson, Phoebe Dynevor or Jonathan Bailey will return for season five.

Netflix confirmed that production was underway in late March, and announced more recently that the series will premiere on the streaming service in 2027.

This marks a shorter hiatus than fans of the period romance are used to, with Bridgerton traditionally taking a break of two years between seasons.

Jess previously admitted that the production team was “trying to speed up” their usual process, telling The Hollywood Reporter last year: “We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language.

“And the writing takes a very long time as well, so we’re kind of on a two-year pace.”

Yes! Netflix announced seasons five and six of Bridgerton earlier this year.

On the season four red carpet, Jess told Deadline that there are two sisters who will get their own love stories, hinting that Eloise will play the lead in season six.

Executive producer Shonda Rhimes has also made it clear she’s aiming for Bridgerton to run for a total of eight seasons, with one devoted to each of the show’s central siblings.

Until then, seasons one to four of Bridgerton – as well as spin-off series Queen Charlotte – are now streaming on Netflix.