Bridgerton fans now know that season 5 will focus on Francesca’s love story — but what else has been revealed about possible book changes, character exits and more?
The Netflix series, which is based on the book series written by Julia Quinn, centers around members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. Season 1 centered around Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page), who were the central couple in the first book, The Duke and I.
Season 2, took inspiration from The Viscount Who Loved Me, which followed Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) as he found love with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). Despite Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) being the subject of the third novel — An Offer From a Gentleman — his love story with newcomer Sophie (Yerin Ha) wasn’t explored until season 4.
The third season focused on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) as seen in Quinn’s book Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Showrunner Jess Brownell later confirmed that Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton) or Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza) are next in line.
In March 2026, Netflix confirmed that Francesca and Michaela would be the focus. Keep scrolling for everything to know about season 5:
Was ‘Bridgerton’ Renewed for a 5th Season?
Netflix has previously renewed Bridgerton for seasons 5 and 6. As a result, Brownell already mapped out the characters at the center of both seasons.
Has the ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5 Lead Already Been Chosen?
Brownell previously teased that seasons 5 and 6 would be centered around Eloise and Francesca when she wore two white pocket squares with the initials E and F at the season 4 premiere in January 2026.
“Both characters with the initials on my pocket squares will get seasons in 5 and in 6,” Brownell told Deadline at the time. “In what order? I can’t say.”
Francesca was confirmed as the next lead in March 2026.
When Would ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5 Premiere?
It remains to be season but likely not until 2027 or later based on the delay between past seasons of the show.
Who Are the Potential Contenders to Lead ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5?
Looking ahead, fans presumed that Francesca would be a potential contender to lead season 5, since her marriage to John (Victor Alli) has already taken place on the show. This set up her romance with John’s cousin Michael despite Bridgerton making another shocking change by making the character Michaela instead.
Eloise, meanwhile, is expected to make her long-awaited debut, but she has not had any interactions with her love interest, Phillip Crane yet.
Which Cast Members Would Return for ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5?
Based on past seasons, lead couples have had their screen time fizzle out once their story was over. Characters such as Penelope, Colin, Benedict, Sophie, Eloise, Francesca, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), Hyacinth (Florence Hunt), Gregory (Will Tilston), and Lady Whistledown (Julie Andrews) are expected to return for more episodes.
The matriarch of the Bridgerton family will also continue to play a big role but it remains unclear whether other members — and their partners will return.
Who Could Leave ‘Bridgerton’ Before Season 5?
Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) hinted that she may not be around in season 5 because she wanted to leave London to travel. Francesca’s husband could also be written off since book fans know his death is meant to take place shortly after his wedding.
Will Couples From Past ‘Bridgerton’ Seasons Make Onscreen Appearances?
After his season 1 exit, Page hasn’t hinted at any plans to return to the rule of Simon. Meanwhile, Dynevor appeared in the second season but later revealed she wasn’t in the next selection of episodes. Bailey and Ashley, who were the stars of season 2, returned for the next two seasons but their screen time has been cut down more and more.
How Many ‘Bridgerton’ Books Are Left From Here?
Eloise’s To Sir Phillip, With Love and Francesca’s When He Was Wicked are the immediate next choices. Hyacinth’s It’s In His Kiss and Gregory’s On the Way to the Wedding are still left as well.
Is the Plan to Explore Every ‘Bridgerton’ Book in the Series?
According to Quinn, Netflix does plan to release eight seasons to correspond with all the books.
“I know who is scheduled next,” she exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2025. “It could always change, like [the order] has changed in the past.”
The author continued: “My hope is that all the siblings will eventually take the lead because we love them [all]. That was kind of the whole point of the books is that you’ve got these eight separate stories, but they’re all connected.”
Although some fans have expressed frustration with the seasons going out of order from the books, Quinn defended the decision.
“With books or film or television, they have different needs … to make them work well, and they have different strengths,” she explained at the time. “Certain things that work great in the book don’t necessarily work well on television. And so, one of the things about the television show, which they changed up a bit [that] was necessary, was to turn it a little bit more into an ensemble.”
