Unless Bridgerton decides to deviate from the books again in season 5, the show’s best character will finally be given the spotlight. Recently, Netflix announced that Bridgerton had been renewed for seasons 5 and 6, with speculation running rampant about which characters would be featured in the upcoming seasons. Second son Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) Cinderella-like love story will be the highlight of Bridgerton season 4, after he was skipped over in favor of Colin’s (Luke Newton) and Penelope’s (Nicola Coughlan) story for season 3, and the show now has a chance to follow the original book order once more.
In Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books, the saga starts with Daphne’s (Phoebe Dynevor) tumultuous relationship, then chronicles the other Bridgerton siblings’ love stories by age (and alphabetically). The show, however, decided to switch things up and focus on Colin and Penelope’s love story in season 3 instead, an understandable choice given the groundwork done on their relationship in seasons 1 and 2 and Penelope’s dangerous Whistledown business. While Bridgerton season 5’s leading sibling may seem obvious, there’s a genuine possibility that Bridgerton will decide to shake things up one more time.
Eloise Has Long Been Bridgerton’s Best Character
The Enduring Appeal of Eloise’s Character
Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) has long been one of my favorite Bridgerton characters. She’s inquisitive and funny, competitive and independent. Even when she struggles with her mother’s expectations, she stays true to herself and her undeniably progressive beliefs. She’s loyal until she’s betrayed, and protective over those she cares about. Her friendship with Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) was an unfortunate but understandable blip. Her closest friend had fed her and her family’s deepest secrets to the rumor mill, and she needed someone to lean on during London’s stressful social season.
Eloise has learned a lot about herself in the past two seasons, and I can’t wait to see her grow now that the truth of Lady Whistledown’s identity has finally been revealed. That obsessive phase of her life is over, and she can finally move on. Now, for the first time, she may be ready to let love into her life. I want her romance to be on her terms. She deserves someone who will let her be her authentic self, and I hope we see that happen in Bridgerton season 5.
Bridgerton Season 5 Will Be Eloise’s – Based On The Books
The Anticipation for Eloise’s Storyline in Season 5
The fifth Bridgerton book, To Sir Phillip, With Love, is Eloise’s book, so it makes sense that Bridgerton season 5 becomes Eloise’s story. At the end of Bridgerton season 3, Eloise was headed to Scotland with Francesca (Hannah Dobbs), Fran’s new husband, John Stirling (Victor Alli), and John’s cousin, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). Hopefully, that time away from her still somewhat shaky friendship with Penelope and the pressure of London society will give Eloise a new lease of life and prepare her to meet her match.
One of the themes in Eloise’s book is that, despite relishing her independence, she feels more alone after witnessing so many of her siblings fall in love and start their own families. This might be especially true after Benedict’s upcoming season 4 love story, as Netflix’s adaptation has given Eloise and Benedict one of the best sibling dynamics in the show. If her free-spirited, artistic brother could find true love, could she perhaps find someone to love her unconditionally as well?
Could Bridgerton Change The Book Order Again?
The Potential for Deviations from the Book Series in Season 5
There’s still a chance Bridgerton could decide to swap Eloise’s season with Francesca’s. Bridgerton season 3 spent a surprising amount of time on Francesca’s story, as we watched her fall for and marry the quiet and kind-hearted Earl of Kilmartin. However, those who have read Francesca’s book, When He Was Wicked, will know that John Stirling isn’t her final happily-ever-after – he’s her first. Michaela (Michael, in the book) will play a major role in Francesca’s life. Season 3’s surprise introduction could mean that Bridgerton plans to finish Francesca’s story first before it moves on to Eloise’s.
Though I’d love to see Eloise featured in Bridgerton season 5, this change would make sense. Very little has been done to set up Eloise’s love story. If the showrunners plan to give her the same love interest as she has in her book, the show would need to do a lot of work to make that story believable and do right by one of Bridgerton’s most complicated and tragic characters. Changing Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker), Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton), and Eloise’s trajectories will take time and great care, and they shouldn’t rush that process. It may even make more sense to give her an entirely new love interest instead.
Additionally, if, for some reason, Bridgerton season 6 is to be the show’s final season – though Gregory and Hyacinth each have their own written love stories, too – having Eloise’s romance be the show’s last hurrah would be quite fitting. Eloise is one of Bridgerton’s most beloved siblings, and if anyone will try to put off falling in love as long as possible, it’s her. Though I’d love to see Eloise be the show’s focus sooner, Bridgerton season 6 could be the perfect season for her, too.
