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How ‘Bridgerton’ Fans Have Reacted to Francesca and Michaela as Season 5 Leads
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How ‘Bridgerton’ Fans Have Reacted to Francesca and Michaela as Season 5 Leads

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Picture Credit: Netflix

After weeks of rumour, theories, and speculation, Netflix has announced that Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza) are the lead characters of Bridgerton Season 5. Following the announcement, we’ve been scouring social media for immediate reactions — and there’s a mix of jubilation and irritation from viewers. 

While Bridgerton Season 4 centred on the romance between Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie, the ‘Lady in Silver’ (Yerin Ha), it also focused heavily on Francesca’s story. It set foundations and even covered large elements of Francesca’s main arc, as covered in Julia Quinn’s novel When He Was Wicked. Initially, Francesca was happily married to John Stirling. However, midway through the season, John tragically passed away in his sleep, leaving her bereft.  She found comfort and solace in John’s cousin Michaela, who has been gender-swapped from the books. By the season’s conclusion, Francesca and Michaela’s bond grew more intimate — and their relationship will blossom into romance in Season 5. 

Season 5 takes a two-year time-jump. In that time, the show could have covered Eloise’s story, giving Francesca time to grieve. Instead, the writers have decided to power through and continue with Francesca’s arc.

In telling a queer story, Season 5 represents another significant breakthrough in queer representation. Of course, the writers of Bridgerton gender-swapped Michaela Stirling (who was Michael in the novels). The aim was to introduce a queer love story and showcase queer joy in a story that has a happy ending. This creative decision is one of the central talking points of the show, and it has viewers divided. 

‘Bridgerton’ Season 5 Confirms Francesca And Michaela As Leads, Begins Production‘Bridgerton’ Season 5 Confirms Francesca And Michaela As Leads, Begins Production

The decision to gender-swap the character of Michael had the full backing of author Julia Quinn, although she was hesitant to give her blessing at first. “Anyone who has seen an interview with me from the past four years knows that I am deeply committed to the Bridgerton world becoming more diverse and inclusive as the stories move from book to screen,” Quinn wrote on Instagram. “But switching the gender of a major character is a huge change, and so when Jess Brownell first approached me with the idea of turning Michael into Michaela for the show, I needed more information before conferring my agreement.”

Quinn ultimately became an ardent supporter of the change, writing: “I’m confident now that when Francesca has her Bridgerton season, it will be the most emotional and heart-wrenching story of the show, just like When He Was Wicked has always been the true tear-jerker of the Bridgerton book series.”

Showrunner Jess Brownell is incredibly passionate about depicting a sapphic romance in the upcoming season. It’s the first leading queer romance in the show’s history, and it’ll be one of the highest-profile ever put to screen. Such a level of representation was important to convey. “It feels groundbreaking,” Brownell told Netflix this morning. “Obviously, there are a lot of great shows that have depicted queer love. We’re not the first by any means. But to make an entire Bridgerton season about a sapphic relationship feels huge.”

How have fans reacted to the Bridgerton Season 5 announcement?

Bridgerton Season 5 LeadsBridgerton Season 5 Leads

Following the Season 5 announcement, fans have made their opinions on the matter heard. On the whole, the response has been positive; many have celebrated the introduction of sapphic romance into the story. Below are some of the most positive reactions and takeaways: 

Every positive reaction has had an equal amount of criticism. Some viewers are going to skip the upcoming season altogether.

On Facebook, reactions were similar. “And this will be the season I miss,” one user wrote. “Fran’s story is my absolute favourite of them all, with Eloise’s coming in a close second. It does not need modifying to the point that it no longer resembles the bones of the book.”

Many fans thought it was Eloise’s turn for the spotlight

EloisebridgertonEloisebridgerton

Given the strong foundation laid for Francesca’s story to continue to develop, it always felt like Hannah Dodd would take the reins for the upcoming season. That said, the decision to have Francesca take the lead goes against the chronological sequence of the novels, in which Eloise’s (Claudia Jessie) story is told first.

Fans are desperate to see Eloise take the spotlight, as the character has only been on the periphery in recent seasons. Among the biggest and loudest reactions was disappointment that Season 5 wouldn’t follow Eloise. “I just know it’s going to be hard to swallow, but oh well, I’ll wait another four years to see Philoise,” one user wrote. Another commented, “I was really looking forward to Eloises story! It was my favorite book in the series.”

For additional reactions, we made a post of our own:

“Disappointed. Most fans wanted Eloise and not Francesca. Quite frankly, no one wants Francesca’s season because of how they are changing the couple dynamics from the book,” one user wrote. 

Another expressed immense joy: “I’m absolutely delighted to see a queer love story in a series that champions inclusivity. In these times of misogyny and intolerance, it’s absolutely refreshing and necessary to see the story of two women in love.”

Eloise’s story may be partially told in Bridgerton Season 5

If one thing is for certain, once Season 5 has aired, there’ll be zero deliberation on who will lead Season 6. And for those planning so skip the upcoming season in favour of waiting for Eloise’s story, it’s worth noting that we’ll see the foundations being set for Eloise’s story in Season 5, much like how Francesca’s arc was partially covered in Season 4. 

Eloise’s romance begins as a long-distance relationship through letter-writing, which later transitions into an in-person romance. Eloise falls for Sir Phillip Crane, husband to Marina Thompson. The character has already been cast in the series, played by Chris Fulton. He appears in Season 1, marrying Marina after his brother’s death, and briefly appears in Season 2.

It seems likely that both Eloise and Sir Phillip Crane will begin exchanging letters in Season 5, planting the seeds necessary for them to lead Season 6.  

Bridgerton Season 5 has now started production. Netflix has not set a release date, but we expect to see it arrive sometime in late 2027 or early 2028.

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