Netflix confirmed that season five of the period drama Bridgerton will premiere in 2027 and will focus on the relationship between Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling.
Lead cast members Hannah Dodd and Masali Baduza will portray Francesca and Michaela, respectively.
“When you spend so much time with a character, you genuinely do want them to be happy. So I am really looking forward to [Francesca] feeling like she deserves love,” Dodd said in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum platform.
Season five takes place two years after the previous season and follows Francesca’s return to the marriage market after the death of her husband, John Stirling, played by Victor Alli.
Michaela, John’s cousin, returns from India and reconnects with Francesca. The upcoming season will explore the relationship between the two characters as they deal with grief following John’s death.
Dodd said the series will show how Francesca and Michaela process grief differently while developing feelings for each other.
“They grieve very differently. 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,” Dodd said.
Baduza said Michaela also continues to mourn John while finding healing through a new relationship.
Season five is based on When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn. The television adaptation follows a gender-swapped version of the original story, a change that Quinn previously approved.
Netflix also confirmed that season six of “Bridgerton” will center on Eloise Bridgerton, played by Claudia Jessie, and her relationship with Sir Philip Crane.
