Bridgerton has revealed the two characters that will be leading the fifth season of the Netflix show, but it has left some fans baffled by the decision.
Lady Francesca Stirling’s (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling’s (Masali Baduza) love story will be the focus of the next season of the Netflix show.
Starting back in 2020, the show is based on the book series of the same name by Julia Quinn.
They are set in an alternative London during the Regency era, with the main focus being on the Bridgerton family and their romantic entanglements.
In the third season, Francesa married John Stirling (Victor Alli), but she was left reeling by his sudden death in season four.
Michaela, who is John’s cousin, had become quite close with Francesca, and she was invited to stop her globe-trotting and stay with Francesca in Mayfair for a bit.
However, in one of the last scenes of season four, Michaela is shown to have left without saying goodbye, leaving the two emotionally further apart than ever.
It leaves a lot open for the next season, which will mark the first same-sex love story of the show (with Michaela being a gender-swapped version of Michael Stirling from the books).
Why are Bridgerton fans criticising the choice of leads for season 5?
In a post on the r/BridgertonNetflix Reddit, many fans were happy to see Francesca and Michaela’s love story confirmed, but were also a bit confused why it wasn’t being saved for a later season.
The fifth book in the Bridgerton series focuses on the love story between Eloise Bridgerton (played by Claudia Jessie) and Sir Phillip Crane.
However, this is being skipped over for the moment, which some aren’t too happy about.
One person claimed they saw it coming and wondered why they were rushing Francesca and Michaela’s storyline.
They added: “I’m also disappointed for Eloise, because damn it, she’s been here from the start, her love story is long overdue.”
Another said, “Happy to get the queer storyline, but absolutely irritated at the same time.
“It made so much more sense for Eloise to get her story while Francesca mourned John.
“So during this season are we going to get Eloise to start sending the letters to Phillip to set up her story?”
A third posted: “This is actually baffling to me.
“Like, why sideline Eloise for another season?
“What is she gonna be doing during S5?
“And also, as excited as I am to see a wlw (women loving women) story in Bridgerton, could they not have given Fran a season to mourn John?
“Michael was away for four years after John’s death in the book, and they’re cramming that into a year.”
Some people were more understanding of the decision to focus on Francesca and Michaela.
One person shared: “Marketing-wise I understand the choice.
“Franchaela popularity is on the peak due to having heavy plotlines last season.
“But they are also a risky pair with a fanbase that leans straight and female, so its better to bank on the popularity boost they get from this season
“Eloise is a fan favourite, nonetheless so they can afford to push her one more season.”
Another said: “Happy for them truly but I wish they wouldn’t have messed up the book order in the first place.”
Will you be watching Bridgerton season 5 when it releases? Let us know in the comments.
