Netflix has entered early production for the fifth season of its Regency-era dramaBridgerton, with the series preparing to shift its focus to another member of the Bridgerton family. Following Benedict Bridgerton's storyline in the fourth season, which premiered earlier in 2026, the next instalment will centre on Francesca Bridgerton.

Series author Julia Quinn confirmed the direction of the new season in an interview withMashableon 7 March. Quinn said the upcoming storyline draws heavily from her sixthBridgertonnovel,When He Was Wicked, which follows Francesca's complicated romantic journey involving the Stirling family.

The television adaptation, produced by Shonda Rhimes's Shondaland, has followed a format of dedicating each season to the romantic story of one Bridgerton sibling. Earlier seasons focused on Daphne, Anthony and Colin, while thefourth season highlighted Benedict's narrative.

Francesca Bridgerton's story will continue following events introduced in the fourth season, which showedher marriage to John Stirling. Quinn has said the storyline will explore themes from the original novel, including grief, attraction and the complicated emotions that develop after the loss of a loved one.

Kilmartin House is seeming rather crowded as of late, is it not?pic.twitter.com/ESrgKAiozb

The adaptation has introduced a notable change from the books by gender-swapping the character Michael Stirling into Michaela Stirling. Quinn explained that the change was intended to broaden representation in the series while keeping the core elements of the story intact.

The upcoming season is expected to explore Francesca's life after relocating to Scotland, which expands the geographical setting of the show beyond theLondon social scene known as the 'ton'.

francesca looking at michaela hoping to find some comfort but instead seeing as much sorrow on her who’s always a sunshine 😭😭🫂🫂🫂#bridgertonpic.twitter.com/sbVpZ40ERu

i love how michaela is bringing the best out of francesca, she can be carefree and stop thinking about expectations, like she’s radiantpic.twitter.com/734YIE0LYk

While Francesca's narrative is expected to lead the fifth season, Eloise Bridgerton remains one of the siblings whose story has yet to take centre stage. The character, played by Claudia Jessie, has been defined throughout the series by her scepticism toward traditional courtship and her interest in intellectual pursuits.

Source: International Business Times UK