At a Glance
- Showrunner Jess Brownell revealed Seasons 5 and 6 will center on Eloise and Francesca Bridgerton
- She hinted by wearing pocket squares embroidered with “E” and “F” at the Season 4 Paris premiere
- The order of the sisters’ seasons remains undisclosed
- Why it matters: Fans finally know which Bridgerton siblings get the spotlight after a nearly two-year wait for new episodes
Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell used fashion to confirm that Seasons 5 and 6 will follow Eloise and Francesca Bridgerton, though she kept the sequence a secret.
Brownell stepped onto the red carpet in Paris on January 14, 2026, wearing a mauve suit. The white pocket squares carried embroidered initials: an “E” and an “F.”
“I would say both characters with the initials on my pocket squares will get seasons in 5 and 6,” Brownell told Deadline.
The alphabetical naming tradition of the Bridgerton children points to:
- E for Eloise, portrayed by Claudia Jessie
- F for Francesca, played by Hannah Dodd
Netflix has already renewed both future seasons, but Brownell refused to specify which sister leads Season 5 and which follows in Season 6.
Premiere Date Split for Season 4
Season 4 will debut in two parts on Netflix:
- Part 1: January 29, 2026
- Part 2: February 26, 2026
The upcoming season turns the spotlight on Benedict, played by Luke Thompson. His love interest is Sophie Baek, a newcomer to the Ton portrayed by Yerin Ha.
The trailer shows the pair meeting at a masquerade ball and dancing until midnight. Sophie flees as the clock strikes, leaving behind a single glove that Benedict uses to find her, echoing the Cinderella fairy tale.
Viewers will also see Eloise and Francesca in the new episodes, setting the stage for their expanded roles.
Where Previous Seasons Left the Sisters
Season 3 ended with three key developments:
- Francesca married John Stirling (Victor Alli)
- Sparks flew between Francesca and John’s cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza)
- All four characters departed for John’s Scottish estate, with Eloise joining the journey
Eloise’s romantic arc has stayed quiet since Season 2. She shared a brief flirtation with printing-shop worker Theo Sharpe (Calam Lynch), but Theo has not appeared in later episodes.
Returning Cast for Season 4
Netflix’s Tudum has confirmed the following actors will appear:
- Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton
- Simone Ashley as Kate Bridgerton
- Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
- Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton
- Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
- Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton
- Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
The Season 3 finale introduced a gender-swapped Michaela Stirling, expanding the series’ queer story lines. Fans now wonder if future seasons will continue featuring central LGBTQ+ romances.
Key Takeaways
- Eloise and Francesca will headline the next two seasons
- Season 4’s split release begins January 29
- Benedict’s Cinderella-style quest for Sophie drives the immediate plot
- The order of the sisters’ seasons remains under wraps
