Bridgerton Season 5: Francesca and Michaela Take the Lead

Bridgerton is officially putting Francesca and Michaela at the centre of Season 5, with Hannah Dodd and Masali Baduza leading the next eight episodes of Netflix’s hugely successful period drama.

Production is already underway outside London, with the new season due to arrive on Netflix in 2027. For the first time, an entire season of Bridgerton will be built around a same gender romance, giving Francesca and Michaela the same central love story treatment previously given to couples including Anthony and Kate, Colin and Penelope, and Benedict and Sophie.

Francesca and Michaela lead Bridgerton Season 5

Season 5 begins two years after the death of Francesca’s husband, John Stirling, played by Victor Alli. Having had time to grieve, Francesca decides to return to the marriage mart in search of a practical match.

Her plans become much more complicated when John’s cousin Michaela returns to London to help manage the Kilmartin estate. Francesca finds herself questioning the sensible future she had planned as her feelings for Michaela become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Hannah Dodd returns as Lady Francesca Stirling, while Masali Baduza reprises her role as Michaela Stirling. Netflix has described their story as a new chapter of love and hope for two women who were both deeply affected by John’s death.

Bridgerton promises a story about LGBTQ+ joy

The significance of the new romance is something the Bridgerton team is openly embracing.

Showrunner Jess Brownell has described dedicating an entire Bridgerton season to a sapphic relationship as a major moment for the series. She has also made clear that the story will retain everything audiences expect from Bridgerton, including romance, longing and a considerable amount of yearning.

Importantly, Brownell has said Season 5 will be about “queer joy” rather than “queer trauma”, giving Francesca and Michaela the opportunity to have a sweeping romantic story rather than making their sexuality the source of tragedy.

Dodd and Baduza have spoken about wanting the relationship to offer positive representation as well. Baduza told Netflix that they want to show a realistic view of LGBTQ+ love and give the characters a happy ending, while Dodd has discussed how important it is to acknowledge that LGBTQ+ people have always existed, including within the historical periods portrayed on television.

Three new characters join Season 5

Netflix has also confirmed three new recurring cast members who will become part of Francesca and Michaela’s world.

Jacqueline Boatswain will play Helen Stirling, Michaela’s mother, who shares much of her daughter’s bold personality and will attempt to guide her through the London social season.

Gemma Knight Jones joins as Lady Elizabeth Ashworth, an old friend and confidante of Michaela who understands the unwritten rules of society, while Tega Alexander will play Christopher Anderson, the son of Lord Anderson and a new bachelor entering the ton.

Their arrival gives Season 5 more room to explore Michaela’s family and friendships as her relationship with Francesca develops.

Eight new Bridgerton episodes are coming

Season 5 will consist of eight episodes, continuing Bridgerton’s established format. Filming is taking place in the UK, with Netflix confirming production outside London.

The season is inspired by Julia Quinn’s novel When He Was Wicked, although the television adaptation has made a major change by introducing Michaela in place of the book character Michael Stirling.

Netflix has already renewed Bridgerton for Season 6 as well, meaning the drama will continue beyond Francesca and Michaela’s story.

When will Bridgerton Season 5 be released?

Netflix has confirmed a 2027 release for Bridgerton Season 5, although an exact date has not yet been announced.

For LGBTQ+ viewers, Francesca and Michaela taking the lead is a significant development for one of Netflix’s biggest dramas. Their relationship will not sit quietly alongside somebody else’s romance. For eight episodes, they are the Bridgerton love story.

The first four seasons of Bridgerton are available to stream on Netflix in the UK, with Season 5 now in production.