Excitement! Panic! Pride! It is with these three words that Hannah Dodd and Masali Baduza take on the lead roles in season five of Bridgerton. And what a journey we are set to embark on!
In the video below, we present together for the very first time as season five leads, Dodd and Baduza. Hello, #Franchaela!
Originally in the Bridgerton book series by Julia Quinn, Francesca’s love story played out in book number six, When He Was Wicked. The Netflix show still spotlights introverted middle Bridgerton daughter Francesca, but she will take part in the television series’ first queer love story for the two leads.
Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran (Dodd) decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons. But when John’s cousin Michaela (Baduza) returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran’s complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.
“One of the only things that differentiates book Michael to Michaela is the gender,” offers Baduza. “Michaela, like Michael, is very charming but keeps people at bay with this pretense. There is a lot to Michaela’s inner world that she is hiding — trauma, guilt — and that’s very similar to Michael.”
As part of one of the first queer love stories that we’ve seen on Bridgerton, both actors are thrilled to represent the many facets that romance can bring to the screen. “I hope [the queer community] feels celebrated,” says Baduza, “because every love story is beautiful.”
Beyond the relationship, Dodd feels like both characters are in truly interesting places. “Francesca has got nothing at this point, which is exciting as a character to get to start at, as horrendous as it is going to be for her.”
Dodd is looking to lean into the authenticity of Francesca: “I just want her to work out what the right thing for her is instead of always trying to deliver for everyone else.”
Baduza feels that where we left off with Michaela at the end of season four brings us to a place where, hopefully, Michaela will “take some ownership and responsibility and accountability for her actions and then see where their relationship is going to grow from that point on. They both challenge each other, and I’m excited to play with that.”
For her part, Dodd can’t wait for the TV series’ Francesca to catch up to the book’s Francesca. “A bit more sarcasm, a little more confidence,” she says. “We’ve always been trying to track to get to this place.”
Now, whether or not the spirit of John was present for this first presentation of the leads for season five, we’ll let you decide. But in the meantime, stay tuned right here for the more you can only get from Shondaland.com — all the behind-the-scenes tidbits, the star interviews, and more.