When Bridgerton returns for a new season, it will be without one of its original stars in the main ensemble, in what they’ve called a “bittersweet” development. While each season focuses on a different couple, Nicola Coughlan’s Penelope Featherington has been an active presence on the Netflix show since its very first episode in 2020. However, she’ll have a reduced role in season five after being cast in comedy series Only Murders in the Building opposite Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez.
God, I had such an epic run. I think that’s part of the beauty of that world is it keeps reinventing itself. Every season being a new story – it takes on a different guise.
I’ll always pop back to Bridgerton if they want me. If I can be set dressing, I’ll be there. No problem.” Coughlan led season three alongside Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, and she called her smaller season five “nice and low pressure”. the titular family’s introverted middle daughter, Francesca (Hannah Dodd), in what will be the Netflix show’s first queer love story.
The season will show Francesca deciding to “re-enter the marriage mart” for practical reasons two years after losing her husband, John – but when his cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) returns to London, her “complicated feelings” will have Francesca “questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions”. New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Dodd made her debut in the show’s third season, which aired in 2024, with Baduza’s character making her first appearance in the season three finale. The role of Francesca was previously played by Ruby Stokes in the first two seasons, before being recast due to Stokes’ scheduling conflicts.
Baduza said the show is hoping to provide “a realistic view of queer love onscreen and give them a happily ever after“, adding: "I think [this] is really important for a lot of the queer community to see onscreen, to know that it can work out, and that they deserve to also feel love.” Showrunner Jess Brownell said of the new leading duo: “I cannot say enough good things about Hannah and Masali. The two of them have such a beautiful friendship and support each other in such a beautiful way. They’re actors who are able to say so much with just an expression, with just their faces.” The eldest Bridgerton daughter Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) married Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) in season one, while Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) wed Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) in season two.
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