At this point, Netflix's Bridgerton is widely known for diverting from Julia Quinn's novels and switching things up to consistently keep fans on the edge of their seats. Although we once thought that Benedict and Sophie's Cinderella story would take place in Season 3, they were instead swapped for Colin and Penelope's story from Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Characters that aren't in the books, like Golda Rosheuvel's Queen Charlotte, have a significantly larger role in the show, and the series is even gender-swapping, wanting to ensure more LGBTQ+ representation, which the books lack.
Still, the Bridgerton Season 5 leads are yet to be confirmed, but either way, it'll be a surprise to the audience for various reasons. Whether the spunky feminist ahead-of-her-time Eloise is next, or gentle-hearted Francesca gets a second chance at love after loss, the next two seasons are going to be excellent regardless.
Eloise Bridgerton Finding Love In Season 5 Would Surprise Countless Viewers
A considerable part of the reason why Eloise's story works so organically in the books is that the loneliness she experiences is deeply human. A woman wanting to be independent and also wanting companionship isn't mutually exclusive, and while she's ahead of her time as a feminist, it isn't dismissive of her earlier character journey. In the book, To Sir Phillip With Love, Eloise begins corresponding with the titular character after she realizes that most of her siblings, as well as her best friend, are in love and doing their own thing.
It's also worth noting that while it's one thing to be the black sheep in her family, it's another when your best friend "leaves you too." Once Penelope and Colin fall in love, Eloise's emotions about being left behind while life happens all around her are completely natural, especially at the age of 28, which is how old she is when it all happens. Age might just be a number in the 21st century, but it was a far bigger concern in the Regency era. Eloise's awareness shifting her narrative is a natural, albeit jarring progression, and it'll be especially shocking in the show.
For the longest time, fans speculated that Eloise would be the one in a sapphic relationship before we got casting for Masali Baduza as Michaela Sterling. And because Sir Phillip is already in the show, played by Chris Fulton, it's likely that Eloise's story will follow as it occurs in the books. However, just because book fans might catch onto the hints, fans of Netflix's Bridgerton might be shocked that she's willing to settle down. How it happens can even be surprising to book fans because while we'd only heard of Marina, we actually know her and have spent time with her in Season 1.
In addition, it's how Eloise will settle down that can be a welcome change from the books because part of what makes her story so unique is that, like Benedict, she doesn't want to conform to the demands of society. She doesn't want a traditional experience with courting, balls, formal engagements and whatnot. And if Season 5 does give her the space to explore her own desires, it'll be interesting to see the shift in how she and show-Phillip fall in love.
Francesca Needs Time To Grieve, But A Time Jump Could Also Benefit Eloise's Story In 'Bridgerton' Season 6
If the series decides to go with Franceca and Michaela's story next, we need a substantial time jump to, at the very least, ensure that both parties are in a better place. Losing John impacts both his wife and cousin profoundly, and it changes them entirely. At the end of Bridgerton Season 4, Michaela leaves, despite promising that she won't, and where she goes, we aren't exactly sure. In the book, Michael goes to India for a while, but considering that's a story that the show dove into with Kate and Anthony, there's a chance they won't repeat it again.
In an exclusive interview with JustWatch, Hannah Dodd also mentioned that "John and Francesca truly see each other for who they are; they understand each other." And before grief hits them, Francesca and Michaela are on their way toward building something that can also be full of great understanding. Yet, time in this case feels important to get through everything they've experienced and are currently experiencing.
In addition, at Benedict and Sophie's wedding in My Cottage, when Penelope asks Francesca if she thinks she can walk down the aisle again, Francesca responds with, "Me? A wedding? No. I've had my great love. One time is enough." The statement feels affirmative and completely understandable for a woman grieving, so if the show were to dive into Francesca in Season 5, a time jump of at least two years feels necessary. A year, to be sure, because of traditional mourning standards held in society. Simultaneously, both Francesca and Michaela need to heal on their own before coming together to discover that love can be found in the most unexpected of ways.
Because of these details, no matter which direction Bridgerton Season 5 heads in, this is the first time in the show's history where it isn't blatantly obvious to even die-hard fans. There's a twist in the detail that we're somewhat in the dark about all the elements. Plus, in a series where we almost always knew what was ahead, the shift can also be great narratively because of how Benedict and Sophie's story changes the idea that finding a true love match no longer needs to be as society demands, but how the characters want it.
