Tega Alexander (Mobland, The Sandman), Jacqueline Boatswain (Carnival Row) and Gemma Knight Jones (Mobland) are set as new cast additions to Netflix‘s Regency-era romantic drama Bridgerton for its upcoming fifth season, which focuses on Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling’s (Masali Baduza) love story. Filming is currently underway in London.
In Season 5, two years after losing her beloved husband John, introverted middle Bridgerton daughter Francesca (Dodd) decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons. But when John’s cousin Michaela (Baduza) returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran’s complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.
Alexander will play Christopher Anderson, a Regency-era Casanova who could give the Bridgerton bachelors a run for their money. Yet behind his cheeky facade lies a current of self-doubt that threatens to unravel him. The son of Lord Anderson will make his mark on society, one way or another…
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Boatswain will play Helen Stirling. Michaela’s mother and the very source of her spirit. Like any mama, she seeks to guide — and occasionally push — her daughter through London’s social season, with equal measures of vivaciousness and tough love.
Jones will play Lady Elizabeth Ashworth. Elizabeth is an old friend of Michaela’s who serves as her confidante and London guide. Beneath Elizabeth’s playful charm lies a grounded realist who is wise to the unspoken rules of society.
Netflix and Shondaland opted to go with Francesca for Season 5, who will be followed by her sister Eloise (Claudia Jessie) as the Season 6 lead.
The eight-episode fifth season is executive produced by Jess Brownell, who serves as showrunner, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica and Chris Van Dusen.