The star of “Bridgerton” Season 5 is officially Francesca, Netflix revealed March 24, marking the first season led by a queer couple and another major departure from the order of the Julia Quinn books that inspired it.
Season 5 is officially in production, the streamer announced on X, accompanied by a teaser video revealing that the two romantic leads will be Hannah Dodd’s Francesca Bridgerton and Masali Baduza’s Michaela Stirling.
“A certain countess shall find love again,” the caption teased.
In the clip, Francesca and Michaela stand together on a balcony overlooking the countryside, and after sharing a glimpse at each other, gently touch hands.
“Bridgerton” showrunner Jess Brownell previously confirmed that the already renewed Seasons 5 and 6 will be led by Eloise and Francesca, but she didn’t confirm which character pertains to which season.
Now, Francesca’s season is officially leapfrogging that of the character’s elder sister Eloise, played by Claudia Jessie. In Quinn’s “Bridgerton” books, Eloise’s story is told in Book 5, “To Sir Phillip With Love,” followed by Francesca’s in Book 6, “When He Was Wicked.”
This isn’t the first time the show has gone out of order. While Benedict’s season was told in Season 4, he’s the star of Book 3, “An Offer From a Gentleman.”
But this is the first time the show’s leading couple will be queer, a change fans have known since the Season 3 finale introduced a gender-swapped version of Francesca’s love interest from the book, Michael Stirling, as Michaela Stirling. The new couple already has a ship name, hailed by Netflix itself: “Franchaela.”
Here’s what to know about Season 5, including spoilers from the book.
What Will Happen in Season 5 of ‘Bridgerton’?
Warning: This section contains spoilers for the ending of “Bridgerton” Season 4.
Season 5 will pick up two years after the death of Francesca’s husband, John Stirling (Victor Alli), who suddenly died in Season 4, Episode 6.
After his death, Francesca was distraught and leaned heavily on Michaela, John’s cousin. Though their relationship started off rocky, with Dodd previously telling TODAY.com that Michaela “stirs something up” in Francesca, they mended fences after having a candid conversation about their differences and their shared love for John.
After his death, Francesca asks Michaela to stay in London with her as the search begins for the next heir to the Kilmartin line.
“If you would like it, I shall stay,” Michaela responds with a smile. But after Francesca grabs her hand and says, “I feel very close to you, Michaela,” Michaela pulls away, and in the next scene, has suddenly departed London.
“She has packed her belongings and left,” a maid tells Francesca, marking how both characters were left off in Season 4.
In Season 5, though, Francesca will find herself in search of a new partner, for “practical reasons,” after navigating her grief. Then, Michaela will return.
The official synopsis reads, “Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Francesca (Hannah Dodd) 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.”
What Happens In Francesca’s Book, ‘When He Was Wicked’?
Warning: This section contains spoilers to Julia Quinn’s “When He Was Wicked,” the inspiration for the forthcoming Season 5 of “Bridgerton.”
The beginning of “When He Was Wicked” establishes some of the events viewers have already seen play out on screen: Francesca, deeply in love with her husband, has her heart broken by his sudden death.
In the book, Michaela Stirling is Michael Stirling, and after his cousin’s death and after Francesca is confirmed not to be pregnant, he becomes the Earl of Kilmartin. But he has a secret: He’s been in love with Francesca since he first met her, at a party celebrating her engagement to John.
Wanting to avoid her and his complicated feelings, Michael leaves.
Four years later, Francesca decides she wants to get re-married just so she can have a child, thinking she already had her great love with John.
At this time, she reconnects with Michael, and they have a yearning, push-pull dynamic defined by attraction, seduction and heaps of guilt as Francesca finds herself falling for Michael.
After several steamy encounters, they decide to marry. In the final scene, Francesca visits John’s grave and finally admits she loves Michael, which he overhears, sealing their happily ever after.
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