Netflix Breaks the Mold – ‘Bridgerton’ Introduces a Gay Storyline for the First Time with a New Season 5 Teaser
Netflix has confirmed that the upcoming season of Bridgerton will feature its first gay lead, centering on Francesca Bridgerton. The news was shared on March 24, with a teaser showing Francesca, played by Hannah Dodd, spending time with Michaela Stirling, her late husband’s cousin, in Scotland. The country will be a major setting for season 5, according to a Netflix spokesperson speaking to Out.
Francesca, the sixth Bridgerton sibling, was previously married to Lord John Stirling, played by Victor Alli, in season 3. Season 4 explored Francesca’s struggles with intimacy and ended with her husband’s unexpected death, leaving her widowed.
Now, the series will explore a same-sex romance for the character, a storyline that did not exist in Julia Quinn’s novels. In the books, Michaela was originally a male character named Michael.
Showrunner Jess Brownell, who is openly out, told Out that she wanted to include queer stories in Bridgerton. “It’s hugely important to me to be able to tell queer stories in Bridgerton,” Brownell said. “I feel like Bridgerton made its name in many ways on being an inclusive universe, and for queer stories to be left out of that would not feel right.” She added that exploring the stories of Benedict and Francesca over the next seasons is exciting.
A certain countess shall find love again…
— netflix⁷ (@netflix) March 24, 2026
Bridgerton Season 5 is now in production. Starring Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton and Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling. pic.twitter.com/DFDQoyKmUW
Hannah Dodd had previously told Deadline that season 5 would focus on either Francesca or her sister Eloise, with the expectation that Eloise would headline season 6. On the possibility of Francesca having a same-sex relationship, Dodd said, “It’s tricky with Francesca’s story because we don’t know what our writers are going to do… But if that does ever happen, I’d be really, really grateful and honored to tell that story.”
Brownell also shared that Michaela’s arrival will shake up Francesca’s life. “We’ve just dipped our toe into that relationship, so I think it needs a little more time to breathe, but when Michaela does show up, she’s someone who brings with her quite a lot of chaos,” Brownell said. “And I think for better or worse, she’ll shake up the dynamics between Fran and John.”
With season 5 set to explore new ground for the Bridgerton universe, Netflix fans are looking forward to seeing how Francesca’s story unfolds in Scotland, blending the signature high-society drama with a fresh, inclusive perspective.
This is a bold move for Bridgerton and a step forward for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream period dramas. What do you think of Francesca’s storyline taking this new direction? Share your thoughts in the comments.