Here's what to expect next, gentle reader. Everything we know about Bridgerton season 5 (including who might be romanced next) Here's what to expect next, gentle reader. By Allison DeGrushe :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/allisondegrusheEWbiophotoe5f8e89253c84b7085a43c502a3051a4.jpg) Allison DeGrushe Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at . She has been working at since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify. EW's editorial guidelines February 26, 2026 5:00 p.m. ET Leave a Comment :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/bridgerton10224263e85dfd22eaa42519f0386c8080935f3.

Here's what to expect next, gentle reader.

Everything we know about Bridgerton season 5 (including who might be romanced next)

Here's what to expect next, gentle reader.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

EW's editorial guidelines

February 26, 2026 5:00 p.m. ET

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Claudia Jessie as Eloise and Hannah Dodd as Francesca on 'Bridgerton'. Credit:

Liam Daniel/Netflix

- *Bridgerton *season 4 is now streaming in its entirety on Netflix.

- The series was officially renewed for a fifth season in May 2025.

- Showrunner Jess Brownell has hinted at which character's love story will lead the way in season 5.

**Warning: This article contains spoilers for *Bridgerton *season 4, part 2.**

Another Bridgerton has finally found their perfect match. Season 4 of Netflix's wildly popular (and delightfully steamy) series follows Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) as he finally* *gets his own love story.

At a glittering masquerade ball, he's instantly drawn to the mysterious "Lady in Silver." Benedict assumes she's high society, but in reality, she's just a maid named Sophie (Yerin Ha). Despite all the controversial offers and obstacles trying to keep them apart, the two make it down the aisle and say "I do."

With another Bridgerton off the market, fans are wondering who's next? Here's everything you need to know about *Bridgerton *season 5.

Will there be a *Bridgerton *season 5?

Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury and Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton on 'Bridgerton'.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Why, yes — *Bridgerton *is returning for a fifth season. At Netflix's Upfront in May 2025, the streamer announced that the Shondaland darling had been renewed for seasons 5 and 6.

The show's official Instagram account joined the fun, announcing the renewal in a manner most fitting for the Ton: through a Lady Whistledown letter.

What is *Bridgerton *season 5 about?

Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton on 'Bridgerton'.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Details about *Bridgerton *season 5 are still being kept very hush-hush, but showrunner Jess Brownell did drop a major hint at the season 4 premiere. While speaking with Deadline, she revealed that her pocket square actually held a clue about who's next in line to lead the fifth and sixth seasons.

"Both characters with the initials on my pocket square will get seasons in 5 and 6," she said. The white square was embroidered with the letters E and F, which fans quickly connected to Bridgerton sisters Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Francesca (Hannah Dodd).

As for who goes first, well, Brownell isn't telling. "You'll learn really soon [who stars in *Bridgerton *season 5]," she recently told Decider. "We tend to make an announcement close to the start of production about who the new leads are. So you should expect that this season as well."

10 'Bridgerton' main cast members who left the series — and where they are now

How to read the 'Bridgerton' books in order, from the OG novels to the Rokesby prequels

If the series returns to Julia Quinn's original book order, season 5 would belong to Eloise. As the fifth Bridgerton sibling, her love story is told in the fifth novel, *To Sir Phillip With Love*, chronicling her romance with Sir Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton). Fans will remember Philip from season 1, when he was married to Marina (Ruby Barker).

That said, *Bridgerton *has already proven it isn't locked into the original romance order. Season 3 jumped ahead to focus on Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), even though Benedict's love story actually comes earlier in the book series. If the writers decide to switch things up again, Francesca could easily be next.

In season 3, part 2, Francesca's husband John Stirling (Victor Alli) dies in his sleep, just like in the book, *When He Was Wicked*. Later, she falls for John's cousin, Michael, who has been reimagined as Michaela (Masali Baduza) for the show.

Brownell previously explained to * *that the change was made with "immense thought" and respect for the source material, and it opens the door** **for the show's first major queer romance.

"I didn't want to just insert a queer character to check a box," she continued. "I really wanted to tell a story about a portion of the queer experience. There's also a certain piece of Francesca's story historically that allows us to ensure a happily ever after for her and Michaela. It was really important for me in crafting a main queer story for us to give that couple a happy ending just like every other couple."

Who's in the cast of *Bridgerton *season 5?

Masali Baduza as Michaela and Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton on 'Bridgerton'.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

The full season 5 cast hasnt been officially announced yet, but fans can expect much of the ensemble to return, including Jessie as Eloise and Dodd as Francesca. Adjoa Andoh is also likely to return as Lady Danbury, since Brownell recently told *Deadline *that the character is "absolutely a part of the story in season 5."

And, as the series has shown time and again, London's high society may soon see a few new faces stirring up gossip, romance, and just the right amount of scandal.

When does *Bridgerton *season 5 come out?

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony, Luke Newton as Colin, and Luke Thompson as Benedict on 'Bridgerton'.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

There's still no official release date for *Bridgerton *season 5, but executive producer Shonda Rhimes has confirmed that work is well underway. "The writers are in the writer's room working on that, so I know what season 5 is all about from beginning to end," she shared on Sirius XM back in October 2025.

Rhimes also teased that season 5 will be brimming with passion, calling it a "really sexy season."

A few months later, in February 2026, Brownell revealed to Decider that season 5 is "starting production very soon."

Where can I watch Bridgerton?

*Bridgerton *is available to stream on Netflix.

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