‘Bridgerton’ Season 5 To Feature Francesca and Michaela As Netflix Show’s First Queer Leads; Deets Inside

Netflix has officially confirmed that Bridgerton Season 5 will centre on the romance between Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling. This announcement marks a historic milestone for the Shondaland series, as it features the franchise’s first same-gender central love story. Production is currently underway in the United Kingdom following the conclusion of Season 4, which focused on Benedict Bridgerton’s journey. ‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Part 2 on Netflix: Recap of Story So Far, Key Moments To Know.

‘Bridgerton’ Season 5 To Focus on Queer Love Story With Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling

The upcoming season will see Hannah Dodd return as Francesca, the introverted middle Bridgerton daughter, alongside Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling. The storyline picks up two years after the sudden death of Francesca’s first husband, John Stirling.

Watch ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5 Announcement Video:

While Francesca initially attempts to re-enter the marriage market for pragmatic reasons, her plans are upended when Michaela returns to London to manage the Kilmartin estate. According to Netflix’s official logline, the season will explore Francesca’s internal conflict as she navigates her "inner passions" versus societal expectations

Masali Baduza Steps Into the Global Spotlight

South African actress Masali Baduza, 30, takes on the pivotal role of Michaela Stirling. Baduza, who first appeared in the series during Season 3, is best known for her leading role as Sephy Hadley in the BBC drama Noughts + Crosses and her performance in the 2022 historical epic The Woman King.

Born in East London, South Africa, and trained at the New York Film Academy, Baduza has described her character as "independent, bold, and confident." In recent interviews with Netflix’s Tudum, she expressed excitement about exploring Michaela’s vulnerability, noting that the character often hides behind a charming exterior but must face her feelings head-on this season.

Hannah Dodd on Francesca’s Emotional Journey

Hannah Dodd continues her portrayal of Francesca Stirling, a role she took over in Season 3. Dodd has highlighted the importance of representing queer stories within the Regency-era setting, stating that such narratives have traditionally been excluded from period dramas despite queer people "always" existing.

Dodd noted that Season 5 will focus on Francesca finally feeling "enough within herself" and deserving of a second chance at love. The actress emphasised the deep bond between the two characters, explaining that as John’s cousin, Michaela is the only person who truly understands Francesca’s grief, connecting them on a unique emotional level.

More About ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5

The new season is an adaptation of Julia Quinn’s sixth Bridgerton novel, When He Was Wicked. In a departure from the source material, the show's creators gender-swapped the character of Michael Stirling to Michaela. Author Julia Quinn has publicly supported the change, noting that the television adaptation and the books can exist as two distinct versions of the same emotional journey. Will There Be ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5? Here’s What We Know.

The production, which consists of eight episodes, is expected to feature key sequences from the book, including the atmospheric "forced proximity" of the Scottish Highlands.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 25, 2026 01:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).