At a Glance
- Showrunner Jess Brownell revealed Eloise and Francesca will headline Seasons 5 and 6
- She hinted at the order by wearing pocket squares embroidered with “E” and “F”
- Season 4, focused on Benedict, drops in two parts starting January 29
- Why it matters: Fans finally know which Bridgerton siblings get the spotlight next
The wait for Bridgerton Season 4 is almost over, and the series’ creative chief has already teased what-and who-comes next.
At the January 14 red-carpet premiere in Paris, showrunner Jess Brownell arrived in a mauve suit accented by white pocket squares stitched with the letters “E” and “F.” When asked about the embroidery, Brownell told Deadline, “I would say both characters with the initials on my pocket squares will get seasons in 5 and 6.”
The Pocket-Square Clue
Because the Bridgerton children are named alphabetically, the initials point to:
- E for Eloise, played by Claudia Jessie
- F for Francesca, played by Hannah Dodd
Brownell did not reveal which sister claims Season 5 and which gets Season 6. “In what order? I can’t say,” she added, noting only that Netflix has already renewed both installments.
Season 4 Release Plan
Before viewers reach those future chapters, Season 4 will split its rollout:
- Part 1 arrives on Netflix January 29
- Part 2 follows on February 26
The upcoming season centers on Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and his romance with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), a new face in the Ton. A trailer shows the pair meeting at a masquerade ball, dancing until midnight, and Sophie fleeing as the clock strikes-leaving only a glove behind. Benedict’s ensuing search mirrors a Cinderella-style quest to identify the mysterious woman.
Where Previous Seasons Left Key Characters
- Francesca wed John Stirling (Victor Alli) last season, yet sparks ignited between her and John’s cousin Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). The trio departed for the Stirling estate in Scotland, with Eloise joining the journey.
- Eloise has seen little romance since Season 2, when she shared a brief flirtation with printer Theo Sharpe (Calam Lynch). Theo has not reappeared in recent episodes.
Returning Cast for Season 4
Netflix’s Tudum confirms the following familiar faces:
- Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton
- Simone Ashley as Kate Bridgerton
- Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
- Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton
- Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
- Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton
- Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
Additional fan favorites are also expected to appear.
A Shift From the Books
Season 3 concluded with Michaela Stirling, a gender-swapped version of the novels’ Michael Stirling, setting the stage for more queer storylines. Whether future seasons will continue to diverge from Julia Quinn’s source material remains to be seen within the episodes themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Eloise and Francesca Bridgerton will anchor Seasons 5 and 6.
- The release order of their respective arcs is still under wraps.
- Season 4 launches in two parts, starting January 29.
- Benedict’s Cinderella-style love story leads the upcoming episodes.
