Bridgerton Season 5 Filming Kicks Off With First Queer Lead Couple

On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the wait finally came to an end. Netflix officially confirmed that Bridgerton Season 5 has begun filming, with a twist no one predicted last year. Hannah Dodd’s Francesca Bridgerton and Masali Baduza’s Michaela Stirling are stepping into the spotlight as the series’ first lead couple, marking the franchise’s debut of a same-sex romance storyline. The announcement put a definitive period to months of heated fan speculation regarding which sibling would take center stage in the fifth installment.

The choice is significant, both narratively and culturally. By placing Francesca and Michaela at the forefront, the showrunners are leaning into a bold adaptation of Julia Quinn’s novel When He Was Wicked. The big catch? In the books, the love interest is a man named Michael. Here, he’s been reimagined as Michaela Stirling, a move that respects the source material while modernizing the scope of representation.

A Bold Departure From the Books

Usually, these period romances stick pretty close to the original text. Turns out, not this time. The narrative picks up roughly two years after the death of John Stirling. Francesca decides to step back into the marriage mart—not necessarily for love, but for practical reasons, given her family’s precarious financial situation. Complications arise immediately when Michaela returns to London to manage the Kilmartin estate.

This shift represents a massive departure from the novels’ traditional sequence. Originally, the books feature Eloise Bridgerton’s story before Francesca’s. Showrunner, Jess Brownell has opted to prioritize the queer narrative earlier in the franchise’s run. It’s a gamble, but one that reflects the show’s growing confidence in its ability to rewrite history rather than just reenact it. As Baduza noted, the goal is simply "giving a realistic view of queer love onscreen and a happily ever after." Dodd added historical weight to the argument, reminding everyone that queer people did exist in the Regency era, even if their stories weren’t widely recorded.

Accelerating the Production Engine

Production timelines in Hollywood are notoriously slow, but things are picking up pace here. Season 5 is currently being filmed outside London, utilizing the permanent Georgian-style backlot at Shepperton Studios. That infrastructure pays off. The backlot opened during Season 4, and it seems the writers are already ahead of the game.

Jess Brownell stated in late February that the writers’ room had finished scripts well before cameras rolled. This is a stark contrast to the gaps seen previously. Season 4 concluded on February 23, 2026, and by mid-March, Season 5 was underway. That four-month turnaround is faster than usual. "We're really keen to try to pace up our release schedule," Brownell told TechRadar recently. The result? Scripts are done, and Brownell is just polishing the finale while principal photography begins.

Rhimes' Grand Vision for the Future

All of this happens under the watchful eye of executive producer Shonda Rhimes. Back in January 2025, at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Rhimes laid out the master plan. She intends for Bridgerton to run for exactly eight seasons. That means one dedicated season for each of the eight Bridgerton siblings. We’re halfway through the journey now, adapting half of Quinn’s source novels.

The franchise is clearly expanding its horizon. Rhimes has teased possibilities for spinoffs following the success of the Queen Charlotte prequel. While we are focused on Francesca right now, the long-term strategy ensures the universe keeps growing even after the main saga concludes. It’s a robust plan, designed to keep audiences engaged for nearly a decade.

When Can Viewers Expect The Premiere?

No one wants to ask the obvious, but when does it actually air? Netflix hasn’t dropped an official calendar date yet. However, sources indicate a potential window in the second half of 2027. Some projections push that back toward late 2027 or early 2028, depending on post-production work.

The teaser announcement maintained the series' signature style, complete with a Whistledown column update telling readers not to fret. It’s a clever way to hype the release without breaking character. For now, the production team is working hard to deliver what looks like a career-defining chapter for both Dodd and Baduza.