Picture Credit: Netflix

Bridgerton fans, rejoice! Netflix has just announced that the show’s fifth season has officially begun filming, with Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) as series leads.

While Bridgerton Season 4 focused on the love story of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), who fell in love with the ‘Lady in Silver’ Sophie (Yerin Ha), the season also had a heavy focus on Francesca’s story, adapting a large chunk of the story told in Julia Quinn’s novel When He Was Wicked. In season 4, Francesca was happily married to John Stirling. However, midway through the season, John shockingly passed away in his sleep, and Francesca was left alone. She found comfort in John’s cousin Michaela (who has been gender-swapped from the character in the books). By the end of the season, Francesca and Michaela developed a close bond — and their relationship turns romantic in Season 5.

As filming for the new season officially commences, Netflix has confirmed that the core story will be Francesca and Michaela. This goes against the sequence of the novels, in which Eloise’s (Claudia Jessie) story is told first. Check out the announcement:

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The official logline for Season 5 is below:

The fifth season of Bridgerton spotlights introverted middle daughter Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons. But when John’s cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) 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.

“I cannot say enough good things about Hannah and Masali. The two of them have such a beautiful friendship and support each other in such a beautiful way,” Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell told Netflix TUDUM in exclusive quotes this morning (no other outlet got pre-warning of the news although fan speculation had been rampant over the weekend). “But, beyond that, I really do think that they are two incredibly talented and special performers. They’re actors who are able to say so much with just an expression, with just their faces.”

“When you spend so much time with a character, you genuinely do want them to be happy. At the moment, [Francesca] is in such a devastating position. So I am really looking forward to her feeling like she deserves love,” Dodd added. “She’s always trying to get things right, and so much has gone wrong for her. I’m really excited for her to experience feeling loved [again] … and feeling enough within herself as well.”

Character descriptions for Francesca and Michaela in Bridgerton Season 5

What’s more, Netflix has provided character descriptions, offering details on where each character currently stands.

Francesca Bridgerton: Countess of Kilmartin: Reserved and contained, Francesca has long felt out of place in the world. As Michaela stirs up new feelings inside her, Fran will make discoveries about herself that could change everything.
Michaela Stirling: Beneath Michaela’s charming and vivacious exterior hides a vulnerable young woman who is quick to run the second she feels discomfort. But this season, Michaela must face her vulnerability head-on as she’s forced to navigate her relationship to her late cousin’s legacy — and to Francesca.