Production Begins on Season Five of “Bridgerton”

Season five of “Bridgerton,” the popular romance series set in a reimagined early-1800s England, is now in the works. Netflix released a teaser trailer on Tuesday, featuring two women—one Black and the other white—in elegant empire-waist dresses, exchanging soft, intimate glances and touches.

The official “Bridgerton” Twitter account teased fans with a playful message: “Do not fret, dearest readers, for a certain countess shall find love again… Bridgerton Season 5 is now in production.”

Interestingly, while “Bridgerton” is set during the British Regency period, it really leans on modern aesthetics in its costuming and set designs. The actors strive to embody the old-fashioned style of speech, and the music includes orchestral reimaginings of contemporary tracks.

In the world of “Bridgerton,” an intriguing twist exists: King George III marries an African woman, Queen Charlotte. This union inspires a shift towards racial equality and the granting of aristocratic titles to people of color. Each season has spotlighted a different high-society romance:

• Season one: A white woman and a half-Black man.
• Season two: An Indian woman and a white man.
• Season three: A plus-size white woman and a typical white man.
• Season four: An Asian woman and a white man.

Now, season five turns its focus to an interracial and same-sex relationship—consistent with the series’ themes.

“Bridgerton” has enjoyed great success. The fourth season debuted at the top of the Nielsen streaming charts for the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1, accumulated an impressive 3.03 billion minutes of viewing, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

The show is produced by Shonda Rhimes, known for “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal.” Rhimes has shared insights into her approach to navigating network censorship for interracial and LGBTQ+ scenes. Her work particularly highlights interracial relationships, often featuring Black women paired with white men.

Season five is set to explore the love story between Francesca and Michaela Stirling. The storyline hints that Francesca, played by Hannah Dodd, will re-enter the marriage market two years after the death of her husband, John.

Kerry Washington, a star of “Scandal,” remarked in 2017 about Rhimes’ perspectives on diversity, saying she prefers to frame it as “normalizing.” This suggests that Rhimes is intentional with her casting choices and narratives, making them relevant to contemporary social conversations. In this light, “Bridgerton” sometimes feels more like an agenda-driven series than pure entertainment.

The show’s anachronistic elements can be thought-provoking, as one actress claimed Queen Charlotte’s depiction isn’t fictional—asserting that Charlotte was indeed a woman of color. Maybe that’s up for interpretation, as terms like “peach” or “porcelain” come into play when discussing color.

Overall, “Bridgerton” represents a form of escapism for a society grappling with its complex past.