<i>Bridgerton</i> Season 5: What We Know So Far

New love stories are on the horizon—and this time, the ton may be more in love than ever.

As Benedict Bridgerton prepares for his romantic lead in Bridgerton’s fourth season, fans can rest easy knowing there’s still much more to come. Netflix has officially renewed the hit Regency drama for seasons 5 and 6, ensuring that more of the Bridgerton siblings and their suitors will take center stage in the years ahead. But who will be next to seek out love amid the drawing rooms and scandals of Mayfair?

Netflix hasn’t yet confirmed a release date for Bridgerton season 5.

Season 4 began filming in fall 2024, so if the current pace continues, season 5 may start production sometime in 2026 or early 2027. The streamer is keeping details under wraps for now.

The season 5 lineup hasn’t been formally revealed, but fans can expect many of the core ensemble to return. Claudia Jessie (Eloise), Hannah Dodd (Francesca), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth), and Will Tilston (Gregory) are all still waiting for their turn in the spotlight, and any of them could be poised to lead.

Supporting characters like Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Julie Andrews (Lady Whistledown’s narration), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), and others could return, depending on the season’s storyline. And if recent seasons are any indication, new characters could soon be making their debut at court.

Netflix has yet to officially name the next Bridgerton sibling to lead season 5, but all signs suggest it could be either Francesca or Eloise.

Francesca’s story began unfolding in season 3, when she married John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin. But a spark ignited between Francesca and his cousin Michaela, a gender-flipped version of Michael Stirling from Julia Quinn’s novel When He Was Wicked. Showrunner Jess Brownell has already confirmed that the shift was intentional, and that Michaela will play a central role in Francesca’s arc going forward. With this foundation already in place—and Michaela’s casting confirmed—it’s likely the series will continue Francesca’s storyline next.

Still, Eloise’s time may be near. Her book, To Sir Phillip, With Love, follows her unexpected correspondence and eventual romance with Sir Phillip Crane, who was briefly introduced in season 1 as the widowed husband of Marina. But Eloise’s story has taken a more rebellious route on screen, leaving room for the show to either reimagine or delay her book’s plotline entirely.

Given Bridgerton’s track record of rearranging book order—as they did with Penelope and Colin’s romance—there’s a chance both sisters could share the spotlight, or that the series will pull another narrative switch.

That depends on the direction Netflix chooses. If Francesca leads, the inspiration will come from When He Was Wicked, a story of grief, guilt, and love rediscovered after loss. If Eloise is front and center, the plot would draw from To Sir Phillip, With Love, a tale of unexpected companionship that begins with letters and leads to marriage.

Of course, Bridgerton has never been afraid to remix its source material. Season 3 skipped over Benedict’s book entirely, using Romancing Mister Bridgerton as the basis instead. So season 5 might not follow the book order at all.

Though specific plot points remain closely guarded, showrunner Jess Brownell has indicated that the team is already laying long-term groundwork for future seasons. In multiple interviews, she’s shared her commitment to deepening the ensemble’s stories, expanding the world of Bridgerton while ensuring each character’s arc feels fresh and meaningful.

“We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language,” Brownell told The Hollywood Reporter last year. “And the writing takes a very long time as well, so we’re kind of on a two-year pace. We’re trying to speed up but somewhere in that range.”

With a two-season renewal locked in, that next chapter could arrive sooner than you think.

This story will be updated.