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Netflix has released a teaser for the upcoming season of its hit show Bridgerton, including a much-anticipated confirmation of the show’s first queer love story.
Although the regency romance has explored queer plots in previous seasons, the Bridgerton teaser released on Wednesday depicts the show’s first major queer love story – between the Bridgerton clan’s introverted middle daughter, Francesca Stirling, played by Hannah Dodd, and Michaela Stirling, played by Masali Baduza.
In the 48-second trailer, the two women are standing on a balcony and turn to look at one another before reaching for each other’s hands as the words “love begins again” flash between takes.
Fans caught onto the fact that Dodd’s character could be queer after Baduza was announced to play “Michaela” in season three. In the cult-followed book series that the Netflix show is based on, Francesca (spoiler alert) falls in love with her husband’s charming and headstrong cousin, Michael, two years after her spouse’s passing.
Season four of one of Netflix’s most popular series explores Francesca’s grief following the death of her husband, John Sterling, played by Victor Alli, and leaning on Baduza’s character during the process.
The next season will explore Francesca’s journey re-entering the marriage market for practical reasons. But when Michaela returns to London to tend to their Scottish estate, her complicated feelings lead to her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.
Francesca, who is a Countess of Kilmartin, is described by Netflix as a reserved and contained person who often feels “out of place in the world”. When Michaela stirs up new feelings, Francesca “will make discoveries about herself that could change everything”.
Netflix describes Michaela, meanwhile, as having a charming and vivacious exterior that “hides a vulnerable young woman who is quick to run the second she feels discomfort”. In this season, Michaela “must face her vulnerability head-on as she’s forced to navigate her relationship to her late cousin’s legacy – and to Francesca”.
Netflix and Shondaland, Bridgerton creator Shonda Rhimes’ production company, also announced on Wednesday that Bridgerton has begun production of its fifth season in London.
The new season will be eight episodes long. Previous seasons of Bridgerton have followed a two-tranche episode formula, in which four episodes are dropped before the other half is released a few weeks later.
The announcement of the main romance storyline for season five could mean that the love story of the fan-favourite character Eloise Bridgerton, played by Claudia Jessie, is explored in a later season.
Season four of Bridgerton starred Yerin Ha, a South Korean-Australian actress, who studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Kensington, Sydney.
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