The long-awaited fourth season of Netflix’s hit drama Bridgerton has finally arrived, but as viewers dive into the new season, there’s already a buzz surrounding the next one. The spotlight is now on the question of which Bridgerton sibling will take center stage in season 5. While there are many possibilities, all signs point toward one character in particular.

Each season of Bridgerton revolves around a different sibling from the Bridgerton family, delving into their romantic lives and exploring various themes. With eight siblings in total, the series is set to span eight seasons, with each focusing on one of the Bridgerton siblings. Season 1 introduced viewers to Daphne and Simon’s love story, while season 2 explored the enemies-to-lovers relationship between Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma. Season 3 covered the dramatic romance between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. The fourth season shifts its focus to Benedict and Sophie, offering a Cinderella-inspired tale.

However, four more Bridgerton siblings remain: Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. As of now, the show has generally adhered to the chronology of Julia Quinn’s novels, with one notable exception: Benedict’s book, An Offer From a Gentleman (2001), is the third in the series, while Colin’s story, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (2002), was adapted into the show before Benedict’s. Based on the order of the books, Eloise’s story is expected to be next, followed by Francesca’s in season 6. That said, there’s also a chance the writers could choose to cover Francesca’s entire arc first, since books 4, 5, and 6 all take place around the same time in the narrative. This wouldn’t disrupt the overall timeline of the series.

The decision about who will be the lead character in season 5 seems almost certain. The most significant hint comes from showrunner Jess Brownell, who, during a red carpet premiere, pointed to a pocket square she was wearing with the initials “E & F” embroidered on it. Brownell hinted that both characters with these initials would be featured in seasons 5 and 6, though she remained coy about which character’s story would come first. “In what order, I can’t say,” she added, sparking speculation among fans.

As season 4 comes to an end, both Eloise and Francesca’s stories remain unresolved, making it unclear who will take the lead in season 5. In the post-credit wedding sequence between Benedict and Sophie, both Eloise and Francesca are seen sitting together in the front row. When the question of who is next comes up, both women declare themselves not ready for marriage, leaving their futures open-ended. While Francesca’s storyline seems more prominent in season 4, given the significant progress made in her story, it’s important to remember that Eloise’s narrative is next in line according to the chronology of the books.

Francesca’s journey in Bridgerton season 4 is a heartbreaking one. After the tragic loss of her husband, Lord John Stirling, and the realization that she is not pregnant with his child, she struggles with immense grief and sorrow. Despite these tragic circumstances, she finds solace in her family and in Michaela, John’s cousin, with whom she begins to form a friendship. Season 4, part 2, balances Francesca’s storyline alongside Benedict’s, setting the stage for her story to continue in season 5. However, since Francesca’s novel, When He Was Wicked, was partially covered in season 4, there’s also a possibility that the writers might shift the focus to Eloise for a season, giving Francesca’s narrative more time to breathe after such a tragic turn.

Eloise, on the other hand, has a less dramatic arc in season 4. After declaring herself “on the shelf” and content to remain a spinster, there are hints by the end of the season that she may be reconsidering her position. Her jealousy over seeing her siblings settle down and start families suggests that she may be open to marriage after all. In the novels, Eloise’s story is told in To Sir Phillip, With Love, the fifth book in the Bridgerton series. The book follows Eloise as she is courted by Sir Phillip Crane, a man she has never met but has corresponded with through letters. Initially resistant to the idea of marriage, Eloise eventually becomes intrigued by Sir Phillip, leading to a romance filled with complications, including his two unruly children.

Sir Phillip Crane, last seen in season 2, had initially offered marriage to Marina, but their relationship was far from a fairytale romance. After a tragedy leaves Sir Phillip a widower, Eloise sends him a letter of condolence, which leads to their eventual connection. The book explores their relationship as they navigate the complexities of their union, with Eloise slowly warming to the idea of marriage. Her story promises to be filled with the kind of witty and emotional moments that have become a hallmark of the series.

Both Francesca and Eloise’s stories are poised to take center stage in the next seasons of Bridgerton. Netflix has already renewed the show through season 6, so both siblings’ arcs will eventually be explored. It’s just a matter of which character’s story will be told first. While season 5 is expected to focus on one of them, the order of their stories is still uncertain, leaving fans eagerly awaiting news on what’s to come.

As for the production of season 5, filming is slated to begin in Spring 2026. Given the scale of the production, it’s likely that filming will take around eight months to complete, with post-production adding even more time to the process. Therefore, it’s safe to expect that Bridgerton season 5 will likely be released sometime in late 2027 or early 2028. While fans will have to wait a little longer for the next chapter in the Bridgerton saga, the anticipation is already building as they eagerly await the next sibling’s journey to unfold.