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TV & Film

Major ‘Bridgerton’ Star Takes Step Back As Season 5 Shifts Focus

Lady Francesca Stirling and Michaela Stirling take center stage as the Netflix hit prepares for another cast shakeup.

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read

The drama inside the Regency ballrooms is taking a major turn behind the scenes. Netflix’s global smash hit *Bridgerton* is preparing for another significant cast shuffle, with reports confirming that a major star from the series is taking a step back from an upcoming season of the hit period romance. Devoted fans of the franchise are no strangers to cast movements. The hit series has built its empire on a rotating lineup of leading figures, allowing different members of the Ton to step into the spotlight while past leads transition into supporting roles or move on to new projects.

Is Hannah Dodd leading Bridgerton Season 5?

Six actors in period clothing, standing outside a large house.
Six actors in period clothing, standing outside a large house.

The central spotlight for Season 5 is officially shifting focus. The upcoming fifth season of the streamer's flagship drama will be centered around Lady Francesca Stirling, brought to life on screen by actress Hannah Dodd. After steadily building her presence in previous episodes, her character is stepping up to anchor the main story. Sharing the narrative spotlight alongside Dodd is Masali Baduza, who portrays Michaela Stirling. Their relationship will form the main emotional core of the upcoming fifth chapter, keeping up with the show's signature style of centering each new season on a specific romantic pairing within the family's world.

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in Season 3 of Bridgerton, sitting by a window, looking sad.
The actress (seen here on the Netflix series) referred to it as “bittersweet” during an interview with on Tuesday. ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Who is playing Michaela Stirling in Bridgerton?

Will Tilston, Polly Walker, Florence Hunt, Luke Thompson, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan on Bridgerton.
“I feel like, God, I had such an epic run,” she said. (Seen here: Will Tilston, Polly Walker, Florence Hunt, Luke Thompson, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Newton and Coughlan.) ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Actress Masali Baduza takes on the pivotal role of Michaela Stirling, pairing up with Hannah Dodd’s Francesca for the high-profile fifth season. Their characters will drive the romantic focus of the upcoming batch of episodes, delivering plenty of high-society scandals, heartfelt moments, and intense chemistry to the screen. As one major fan-favorite performer takes a reduced presence in the upcoming order, the shift allows room for Francesca and Michaela to take full ownership of the screen. The strategy has kept the series fresh over multiple seasons, giving every chapter its own distinct tone and romantic pair. With Season 5 set to spotlight Lady Francesca and Michaela Stirling, the series continues to evolve its massive universe. Audiences are already eagerly awaiting how this next chapter will shake up the high-society scene when the romance unfolds on Netflix.

The photos · 6

Six actors in period clothing, standing outside a large house.
The actress (seen here on the Netflix series) referred to it as “bittersweet” during an interview with on Tuesday. ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
“I feel like, God, I had such an epic run,” she said. (Seen here: Will Tilston, Polly Walker, Florence Hunt, Luke Thompson, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Newton and Coughlan.) ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
“I think that’s part of the beauty of that world is it keeps reinventing itself. Every season being a new story — it takes on a different guise,” Coughlan continued. (Seen here: Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and New
Coughlan’s character also portrayed Lady Whistledown, the secret author behind the town’s gossip column. (Seen here: Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Newton as Colin Bridgerton.)
However, the identity of Coughlan as Lady Whistledown was revealed at the end of Season 3. (Seen above: James Phoon, Bessie Carter, Harriet Cains, Lorn Macdonald, Coughlan.) ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

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People also ask

Who is leading Bridgerton Season 5?
Season 5 of Bridgerton will focus on Lady Francesca Stirling, portrayed by Hannah Dodd, alongside Michaela Stirling, played by Masali Baduza.
Who plays Michaela Stirling in Bridgerton?
Michaela Stirling is portrayed by actress Masali Baduza in the Netflix series Bridgerton.