New Bridgerton season to have same-gender love story

Returning for a fifth series, the hit period drama will follow the love story between Lady Francesca Stirling, played by Hannah Dodd, and Masali Baduza’s Michaela Stirling, according to the Netflix website, Tudum.

The series, created by showrunner Jess Brownell, will take place two years on from season four, which saw Lord John Stirling die, leaving Francesca widowed and his cousin Michaela without her closest relative and confidant.

The series will follow introverted middle daughter Francesca as she decides to re-enter the marriage mart.

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However, things do not go to plan when Michaela returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, forcing Francesca to face her feelings.

Ms Dodd said: “(Queer love stories) have traditionally been excluded from things like period dramas — and queer people did exist, have always existed, and will always exist.”

Ms Baduza added: “It’s been really special to have Jess guide us on this journey, because she’s very excited about this story.

“What we really want to achieve is giving a realistic view of queer love onscreen and (giving them) a happily ever after.”

The costume drama, which is based on a series of books of the same name by Julia Quinn, follows the eight siblings of the Bridgerton family in their quest to find love.

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Ms Brownell said: “It feels groundbreaking. Obviously, there are a lot of great shows that have depicted queer love. We’re not the first by any means.

“But to make an entire Bridgerton season about a sapphic relationship feels huge.

“We are still always grounding our love stories in the fact that this series is about joy and more than ever, Season 5 is going to be about yearning … Those of us who know what it’s like to be in a sapphic relationship or have a sapphic crush understand that’s so baked into the experience.”

Known for its orchestral and string quartet covers of modern pop songs, Brownell also revealed the season will include a number of queer artists for its musical backdrop.

The latest series followed the Cinderella-style love story between the second-eldest son of the Bridgerton clan, Benedict, played by Luke Thompson, and series newcomer Yerin Ha, who played maid Sophie Baek.

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The show also stars Irish actress Nicola Coughlan, Wicked star Jonathan Bailey, and Sex Education’s Simone Ashley.

Mr Bailey was born in Oxfordshire’s Wallingford in 1988 and grew up in nearby villages, including Benson and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

He went to school locally, later winning a music scholarship to Magdalen College School in Oxford, before going on to build a high-profile screen and stage career.

Alongside Bridgerton, the 37-year-old has also had award-winning roles in the West End and starred in Broadchurch.

Season five of Bridgerton is already in production and will film outside of London, with a series six already confirmed to follow.