In an interview with Vanity Fair, showrunner Jess Brownell opened up about the progress of Bridgerton season 5. Brownell, who took over as showrunner in season 3 after series creator Chris Van Dusen departed from the role, shared that the hope is to continue to honor the relationship that Sophie and Benedict have built.
Brownell teases that viewers will learn who the new leads are soon. The showrunner also mentions that the writers' room is done, with drafts of the scripts already completed, and that the hope is to enter into production “not too long from now.” Read the full response below:
The writers room is done. We have drafts of all the episodes. We are starting production not too long from now. We’re definitely wanting to honor Luke and Yerin and all of their amazing hard work they’ve put into season four, take just a beat with that. But soon enough, we’ll be announcing where we’re going for season five.
The Bridgerton season 5 update honoring Sophie and Benedict is not too surprising. When possible, the Netflix series has made an effort to weave in its large ensemble of characters as the narrative allows. This was the case in season 4, with Jonathan Bailey reprising his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton for two episodes. Simone Ashley also returns as Lady Kathani Bridgerton for two episodes.
But even bigger than the news about who might next lead the Bridgerton cast is the fact that writing for the upcoming season is so far along. The romance drama, which is adapted from the Julia Quinn novels, with Shonda Rhimes as an executive producer, has taken two-year gaps between each season.
Season 1 was released in December 2020, with the second following in March 2022. The third installment came out in May 2024, split into two parts, followed by the recent season 4. That came out in January 2026, with the second half dropping at the end of February. All seasons are ratings giants that regularly dominate Top 10 ratings lists.
The hope for audiences is that, with the writers already at work, it won't be too long before audiences get a sense of the romance drama's next chapter and who is due for the spotlight in the Bridgerton family. Whether new episodes can come out in 2027 is unknown. But this early into 2026, it at least seems like a possibility.
Release Date
December 22, 2020
Network
Netflix
Directors
Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson
Writers
Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin
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Luke Thompson
Lady Violet Bridgerton
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Ruth Gemmell
Benedict Bridgerton
English (US) ·