Picture Credit: Netflix
It’s been years since we last checked in with Lisa, Patrik, and their beautifully complicated blended family, but great news out of Sweden today: SVT is officially moving forward with a fifth season of the hit dramedy Bonus Family (Bonusfamiljen).
But will the new season make its way to Netflix globally? Here is everything we know so far about the revival and its potential streaming future.
The History of Bonus Family on Netflix
For those uninitiated, Bonus Family is a heartfelt and hilarious Swedish dramedy that follows a new couple, their exes, and their children as they navigate the emotional challenges and tricky logistics of blended family life.
Netflix has been the international home for the series since 2017, carrying it as an exclusive in regions like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The streamer even released the feature-length sequel movie, Long Live the Bonus Family, bringing fans what many assumed was the definitive, final chapter of the story.
For context, here is how the previous seasons rolled out on Netflix globally:
- Season 1: October 5th, 2017
- Season 2: July 15th, 2018
- Season 3: July 12th, 2019
- Season 4: December 14th, 2021
Season 5 is Officially in Production
According to the Swedish entertainment site FilmTopp, SVT initially announced in January that they were reviving the series after a massive six-year hiatus. Now, three months later, production is officially gearing up for the spring.
A recent casting call from Swedish production company FLX (Solsidan, Sjölyckan) confirms that cameras will start rolling next month. They are currently seeking extras to play chefs and waitstaff for “a bunch of fun restaurant scenes” filming in Stockholm on May 18th and May 25th.
While the official cast list hasn’t been explicitly confirmed by the network, fans can reasonably expect to see the core quartet return, including Erik Johansson (Patrik), Vera Vitali (Lisa), Fredrik Hallgren (Martin), and Johan Ulveson (Jan).
As for a release date, Swedish viewers are expected to get the new episodes on SVT in early 2027. Filming this spring and summer sets the show up perfectly for a post-production run in the fall, allowing for a cozy January or February 2027 premiere—a release window the network has favored for three of the show’s past four seasons.
Will Season 5 of Bonus Family come to Netflix?
Here is where things get a bit tricky. While SVT has greenlit and is actively producing the fifth season, its global status on Netflix is currently unclear.
Given that Netflix has held the international distribution rights for the first four seasons and the sequel film, it stands to reason that they would want to bring the new batch of episodes to international subscribers. However, streaming licensing deals can be incredibly complex, especially when a show is revived after a long hiatus. Sometimes, international co-production or distribution rights lapse.
We have reached out to Netflix for comment regarding their international distribution plans for Season 5 and will update this article as soon as we hear back.
If Netflix does acquire the rights to stream Season 5 globally, subscribers likely wouldn’t see it drop on the service until mid-to-late 2027, following its initial broadcast run in Sweden.
Are you excited that Bonus Family is returning for a fifth season? Are you hoping Netflix picks up the international rights? Let us know in the comments below!
