New Delhi, March 4 The fifth season of the popular period romance series "Bridgerton" will focus on the search for a new Lady Whistledown, the anonymous gossip columnist who has been a central figure in the series for four seasons, according to showrunner Jess Brownell.
The fourth season of the show, which premiered on Netflix in two parts, saw Penelope Bridgerton (Nicola Coughlan) stepping down as the mysterious columnist midway through the season, followed by a new Lady Whistledown taking center stage in the dramatic finale, surprising everyone including Penelope.
Brownell stated that veteran actress Julie Andrews, who has voiced the character throughout the series, will return for season five, but with subtle changes to her performance to reflect the shift in authorship.
"We definitely have a new Whistledown for season five... We have a completely new one," Brownell told
"You might have noticed at the end of season four that Julie Andrews is still the voice, but she's made slight changes to her performance to suggest a different writer. This writer might have a different moral code and a different worldview. We will see this play out in season five and see how the search for this new Whistledown impacts society," she added.
When asked if the next installment would center on Eloise, the fifth Bridgerton sibling, the showrunner said the team would announce the new lead character in due course.
"I wish I could answer that, but we want to focus on giving Yerin Ha her moment," Brownell said, referring to the lead actor of the fourth season, whose romantic relationship with Luke Thompson is a key element of the latest chapter.
Season four, which concluded on Netflix on February 26, focuses on Benedict Bridgerton (Thompson), the second Bridgerton sibling who has long resisted his mother's (Lady Violet Bridgerton) wishes to settle down.
However, this changes at a ball hosted by his mother, where he is captivated by a mysterious attendee known only as the Lady in Silver, who later turns out to be Sophie Baek, a young maid.
Adapted from "An Offer from a Gentleman," the third book in Julia Quinn's "Bridgerton" series, the season follows Benedict as he struggles with his feelings for Baek.
The story also explores the class divide between them, as Sophie comes from a more humble background.
"We were incredibly lucky to have Julia Quinn's book as a guide, and with Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson on board, I believe they bring so much brilliance to their roles. But the upstairs/downstairs dynamic is definitely something new for the show," Brownell said.
"And there were a lot of discussions about how we would approach that, what the tone of the show would be. We tried to find a balance between focusing on the fact that these people have difficult lives while still allowing moments of joy and an aspirational love story between Benedict and Sophie," she added.
After multiple seasons of elaborate romantic declarations, Brownell said it has been challenging to recreate the magic of these confessions in "Bridgerton" style.
"With love confessions, it becomes harder season after season to recreate that magic. But I think what we try to do is keep it grounded and focus on who these characters are and how they should be perceived by the person who loves them," she said.
As Sophie comes from a lower social class, she is often judged based on her social standing, but she truly desires to be "seen for who she is," Brownell added.
"And also, for Benedict to truly love her in a way that he is willing to be fully committed. I would say that what's most important this season, more than any of the love confessions, is Benedict's willingness to be with Sophie, and that's what matters," she said.
In earlier seasons, the characters, especially the men, underwent significant transformations, signaling their readiness for marriage.
For Benedict, the transformation is not just about a polished appearance and proper grooming, but also about personal growth.
"It's really about him recognizing the kind of man he needs to be to deserve someone like Sophie," Brownell said, adding that Sophie also experiences her own transformation towards the end of the season.
"She gets to dress up for the ball. And I'm really excited about seeing Yerin Ha portray a lady in society. Yerin is stunning, and to see her in some incredible gowns will be really fun in season five," she added.
Preparing for a show like "Bridgerton" is "nerve-wracking," said Brownell, adding that she relies heavily on her amazing team.
"I feel like when we're in the writing stage, I really trust my writing staff. When we're in the production stage, I really trust our department heads and crew. And it takes a village, especially for a show this huge. I have to delegate. And I have magnificent people who work with me on this show," she said.
According to Brownell, the USP of the show is the balance between its old-fashioned setting and the modern energy.
She credited Chris Van Dusen, Shonda Rhimes, and Betsy Beers for setting the tone in the earlier seasons, which made the show feel fresh and modern while still being rooted in classic romance.
"I think for me, stepping in at season three, it's been about focusing on the characters and letting their story unfold naturally. We always try to stay true to the class and gender roles because I think those are the obstacles that shape our world. And beyond that, we have a little fun with costumes and language.
"And for the people living in that time period, it didn't feel like they were in the past. It felt like they were very modern. And I think that's how audiences perceive the show because of those subtle tweaks," she added.
