Bridgerton fans have been guessing which sibling would be next, and Netflix has now settled it. Season 5 will follow Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling, and it is set to arrive in 2027. An exact date hasn't been shared yet.

Bridgerton Season 5 Begins Where Season 4 Left Off

Season 4 ended with a heartbreak that hit viewers hard. Francesca's husband, John Stirling, died suddenly, leaving her a widow. His cousin Michaela lost her closest family member in the same moment.

The new season jumps ahead by two years. Francesca decides to go back to the marriage mart, but for practical reasons, not romantic ones. Then Michaela returns to London to look after the Kilmartin estate, and Francesca's neat plan starts to fall apart.

Two Women Who Grieve Differently

What makes this story different is that neither woman is a stranger to the other's pain. Hannah Dodd, who plays Francesca, says the two of them grieve in very different ways, and that grief is never something you simply get over. John stays with Francesca for life.

Masali Baduza, who plays Michaela, describes her character as someone who keeps her walls up and runs the moment things get uncomfortable. Letting Francesca in will mean facing all of that.

Bridgerton's First Same-Gender Love Story

This is the first time the show has built an entire season around a love story between two women. Showrunner Jess Brownell says it feels huge, even though queer love has been shown on screen before. She also promises "big-time yearning" and a season about joy rather than trauma.

The story is inspired by Julia Quinn's novel When He Was Wicked, where the character of Michael has been reimagined as Michaela. Francesca's struggle with infertility will also continue, and the makers say it will be handled with care.

Costumes And Music To Look Forward To

The costume team is doing some of the storytelling this time. Dodd says viewers will see Michaela in a new light through what she wears and Baduza has teased plenty of ball gowns. Brownell is also thinking of using songs by queer artists to set the mood. Baduza's pick is Chappell Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!", while Dodd feels "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls is Francesca's song.

What Else Is Coming

Season 6 is already confirmed, and a spin-off about a young Violet Bridgerton is on the way too. Three new faces have also joined the cast for Season 5 and they are Tega Alexander, Jacqueline Boatswain and Gemma Knight Jones.
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