Two weeks after it was announced that the upcoming fifth season will center on Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), the hit Netflix show announced three new additions to the cast.
Tega Alexander, Jacqueline Boatswain and Gemma Knight Jones will be joining the show in recurring guest rolesâand itâs clear their characters will be important ones.
Indeed, Tegaâwho is best known for his work in MobLand and The Sandmanâwill be playing Christopher Anderson on the series. And if his surname sounds familiar, thatâs because he is the son of Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) who was first introduced in season three.
âA Regency-era Casanova who could give the Bridgerton bachelors a run for their money,â a description of Christopher included in an April 8 press release reads. âYet behind his cheeky facade lies a current of self-doubt that threatens to unravel him. The son of Lord Anderson will make his mark on society, one way or anotherâŚâ
Jacquelineâwho previously appeared in Carnival Row and The Diplomatâwill be taking on the role of Helen Stirling, the mother of Michaela Stirling.
Described as the âvery sourceâ of Michaelaâs spirit, Helen âseeks to guideâand occasionally pushâher daughter through London's social season," per the showâs press release, "with equal measures of vivaciousness and tough love."
As for MobLand alum Gemma, she will be portraying Lady Elizabeth Ashworth.
âElizabeth is an old friend of Michaela's who serves as her confidante and London guide,â a description for her character reads. âBeneath Elizabeth's playful charm lies a grounded realist who is wise to the unspoken rules of society.â
Season fiveâwhich is based on the sixth book in Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series, When He Was Wickedâwill follow Francesca as she explores a blossoming romance with Michaela, the cousin of her late husband John Stirling (Victor Alli).
Showrunner Jess Brownell previously reflected on the monumental nature of their love story, telling Netflix's Tudum in March, âMore than ever, season five is going to be about yearning.â
âIt feels groundbreaking,â Jess added. âObviously, there are a lot of great shows that have depicted queer love. We're not the first by any means. But to make an entire Bridgerton season about a sapphic relationship feels huge."
The showâs intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot also gave a glimpse at whatâs to come, teasing that the fifth season will get viewersâ hearts racing.
In a post on her Instagram Story on March 26 beside a photo of Hannah and Masali, Lizzy wrote, âMoment of silence for all the husbands whose wives will leave them after watching season 5."Â
While fans will have to wait a bit until Bridgerton season five premieres, take a look back at some of the memorable moments from filming season fourâŚ
Luke Thompson (who plays Benedict Bridgerton) and Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) killed some time during filming by playing a clapping game.
Looks like Eloise and Penelope Featherington (played by Nicola Coughlan) are closer than ever, as the actresses were in good spirits on set.
Hannah Dodd (who plays Francesca Bridgerton) joined Claudia in making some silly faces during a chilly day on set.
Victor Alli (who plays John Stirling) shared a funny behind-the-scenes moment while shooting Bridgerton season four.
The castâwhich includes new members Yerin Ha (Sophie), Katie Leung (Lady Araminta Gun), Michelle Mao (Rosamund Li) and Isabella Wei (Posy Li)âwas equipped with umbrellas even when it got rainy on set.
There were clearly no ruff moments behind the scenes.
The costars flashed a smile while bundled up for the show, which centers on Benedict and Sophie's love story.