Fret not, gentle readers. A new season of Bridgerton fast approaches. Though the fourth season only just finished this past February, many fans of Netflix’s hit period drama are already anticipating the next Bridgerton sibling’s love story. And news just broke that it might just be here a lot sooner than expected.
Showrunner Jess Brownell gave viewers their first hint about season 5 at the Paris premiere of season 4, part 1 in early January. She wore two pocket squares embroidered with the letters E and F—in reference to Bridgerton sisters Francesca and Eloise—in the breast pocket of her brown and maroon suit. When asked about her accessory by a red carpet reporter, she said that “both characters with the initials on my pocket squares will get seasons in five and six.”
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Showrunner Jess Brownell wore a pocket square embroidered with the initials of the next two seasons
Brownell didn’t divulge the order at the time, and the ensuing season dropped plenty of hints and teasers that alluded to Francesca or Eloise leading the most immediate upcoming season. Earlier this year, on March 24, Netflix officially announced the start of production on season 5 and confirmed Hannah Dodd’s Francesca as the season’s lead—with Masali Baduza as Francesca’s love interest, Michaela Stirling. And today, May 13, the streamer surprised fans with news on when to expect the show’s next installment. Here’s everything else we know so far.
Which sibling will lead the next season of Bridgerton?
Netflix revealed via an Instagram post that Francesca Bridgerton would lead the fifth season of the period drama. The video showcased a romantic moment between Francesca and Baduza’s Michaela, and included shots of sprawling forests and rolling hills. These pans hint that the season might deviate from the ‘Ton up to Scotland, the location of the Kilmartin estate that belonged to Francesca’s late husband, John.
The end of season 4 saw Francesca become a widow, following the passing of John Stirling (Victor Alli), who also happened to be Michaela’s cousin. Michaela and Francesca grew closer in their grief, but then Michaela abruptly left Francesca and the ’Ton at the end of the season.
The series’s fifth season will take place two years later, according to an article from Netflix’s Tudum, and will follow Francesca as she decides to “reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons.” Things only get more complicated when Michaela returns to London to “tend to the Kilmartin estate,” reigniting old feelings “whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.”
Brownell divulged in a Q&A with Tudum that viewers will learn more about Michaela’s perspective as well as some “big time” yearning.
When will Bridgerton season 5 air?
When Netflix announced its season 5 leads earlier this year via an Instagram post, they also divulged that production on season 5 had officially begun. Now, just a month and a half later, Netflix’s chief content officer Bela Bajaria revealed at an upfront presentation to advertisers that the show will premiere its next season in 2027, per Variety. The exact date is unknown, as well as if audiences can expect a two-batch drop of episodes—as has been the case for the last two seasons. Still, this premiere will occur just a year after the fourth season dropped, breaking the show’s typical biennial release cycle.
Will there be a Bridgerton season 6?
Netflix also already green-lit Bridgerton’s sixth season. The streaming giant announced the renewal back in May 2025, before season 4 even started airing, via the official Netflix X account. Though we’re far from any concrete news or updates on production for season 6—much less any premiere dates—Netflix’s confirmation of Francesca as the season 5 lead also confirms Eloise Bridgerton as the season 6 lead, per Brownell’s pocket square easter egg.