After revealing its leads to be Francesca and Michaela, Bridgerton began filming its fifth season in March 2026. Now the upcoming season has officially cast three more key characters.
Shortly after releasing its fourth season, Bridgerton is returning to production on its fifth season, chronicling the queer romance between Francesca and Michaela. The upcoming season began shooting in London as late as March 24. Filming on the season is expected to last for around 8 months before wrapping. A release date is still quite a way off, with the next batch of episodes likely arriving on the streamer in 2027 or early 2028. However, with filming underway — and the first set images emerging — Netflix is announcing all new cast members.
The official synopsis for Bridgerton Season 5 is:
The fifth season of Bridgerton spotlights introverted middle daughter Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran 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.
In Netflix’s latest round of casting, they’ve announced three new cast members. Two of them will be playing characters we know from the books, while another plays a character original to Season 5. Let’s take a look.
Bridgerton Season 5 casts Gemma Knight Jones, Jacqueline Boatswain & Tega Alexander
Gemma Knight Jones plays Lady Elizabeth Ashworth
Lady Elizabeth Ashworth is a close friend and confidant of Michaela Stirling. She seeks to mentor Michaela in London society. Beneath Elizabeth’s playful charm lies a grounded realist who is wise to the unspoken rules of society.
Gemma Knight Jones is known for:
- Bridget Jones’ Diary (playing Mrs. Jones)
- Harry Potter (playing Poppy Pomfrey)
- Sense & Sensibility (1995) (playing Mrs. Dashwood)
Jacqueline Boatswain plays Helen Stirling
Helen Stirling is the mother of Michaela Stirling. She is the paragon of her daughter’s spirit. Helen seeks to guide — and occasionally push — her daughter through London’s social season, with equal measures of vivaciousness and tough love.
Jacqueline Boatswain is known for:
- Agatha & The Midnight Murders (playing Frankie Lei)
- The Diplomat (playing Elaine Simms)
- Carnival Row (playing Mima Blodwen)
Tega Alexander as Christopher Anderson
A Regency-era Casanova and a new suitor within the ton society. He is the son of Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis). Behind his cheeky facade lies a current of self-doubt that threatens to unravel him.
Christopher Anderson is not a character in the novels by Julia Quinn.
Tega Alexander is best known for:
- The Sandman (playing Theo)
- The Witcher (playing Captain Stade)
- MOBLAND (playing Charlie the Jeweller)
Bridgerton Season 5 is expected to premiere in 2027 or 2028. In the meantime, Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.
