'Bridgerton' Adds Three New Faces for Season 5
We have our first look at the Stirling clan, and who will be trying to manage a pair of gals just trying to be pals in 'Bridgerton' Season 5.
With Bridgerton officially swapping Books 5 and 6 to focus first on Francesca Stirling (Hannah Dodd) as the widowed Countess of Kilmartin and the franchise’s first-ever main LGBTQ+ romance, it’s time for the newest casting additions. Every season brings in a coterie of friends and family for the love interest de jour, and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) is no different.
In fact, the show clearly planned for this to be the point at which the Stirling clan made their entrance, despite Francesca marrying Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) back in Season 3. We only got a short scene with John’s mother, Janet (played by Carol Moses), in Season 4’s “The Beyond” after John’s passing, and have met no one else on either his or his cousin Michaela’s side of the family. But with a couple of new additions, we have a better look at the Stirling clan, and who will be trying to manage a pair of gals just trying to be pals.
First up, there’s Jacqueline Boatswain, who PBS viewers will recognize from the hit series The Marlow Murder Club. She plays Helen Stirling, Michaela’s mother, “the very source of her spirit.” Along with her, we’ll meet Michaela’s bestie, Lady Elizabeth Ashworth, played by Gemma Knight Jones, who recently guest-starred in Professor T.
The third addition is not part of the Stirling clan, but is an interesting addition nonetheless: Tega Alexander (MobLand) as Christopher Anderson, the son of Lady Violet’s love interest, Lord Marcus Anderson. As fans recall, Violet decided to put her romance with Marcus on hold to support Francesca after John’s passing. Adding his son (described as “a Regency-era Casanova”) to the mix suggests Violet and Marcus are far from over.
Here’s the synopsis for Season 5:
The fifth season of Bridgerton spotlights introverted middle daughter Francesca. Two years after losing her beloved husband, John, Fran decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons. But when John’s cousin Michaela 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.
This season cycles up Dodd (Harlots) and Baduza (Noughts + Crosses) to series leads, and the addition of Lord Anderson’s son all but confirms the return of Ruth Gemmell & Daniel Francis as Dowager Lady Violet & Marcus Anderson. Other sure-to-appear siblings include the still-single Eloise (Claudia Jessie), Gregory (Will Tilston), and Hyacinth (Florence Hunt), plus Sophie Lamont as Celia the Housemaid.
The rest of the ensemble has not been officially confirmed; however, it seems like a good bet we’ll see the return of Luke Newton & Nicola Coughlan as Colin & Penelope Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey & Simone Ashley as Viscount & Viscountess Anthony & Kate Bridgerton, and Luke Thompson & Yerin Ha as Benedict & Sophie Bridgerton. (Once again, sorry to Phoebe Dynevor & Rege-Jean Page. We know it’s weird.) Other returnees will most likely include Golda Rosheuvel & Hugh Sachs as Queen Charlotte & Brimsley, Martins Imhangbe & Emma Naomi as Will & Alice Mondrich, and Julie Andrews as the Voice of Lady Whistledown. Pour one out for Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), who we hope has found her way back to London in the two years since Season 4’s farewell ball.
Jess Brownell will continue as showrunner for Bridgerton Season 5 after taking the reins in Season 3, with Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica, & Season 1 and 2 showrunner Chris Van Dusen as executive producers.
Bridgerton Season 5 is now in production and will probably debut in late 2027 at the earliest, but more likely early 2028, and probably in multiple parts again. Seasons 1 through 4 of Bridgerton, as well as the Queen Charlotte prequel, are all streaming on Netflix.
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