Bridgerton is returning for a fifth season but not every cast member is confirmed to reprise their role.
Bridgerton, which is based on the book series written by Julia Quinn, centers around members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. Season 1 followed Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset’s (Regé-Jean Page) romance, who were the central couple in the first book, The Duke and I.
Season 2, meanwhile, took inspiration from The Viscount Who Loved Me, which followed Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) finding love with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). Despite Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) being the subject of the third novel — An Offer From a Gentleman — his love story with newcomer Sophie (Yerin Ha) was pushed to season 4.
Instead, the third season focused on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) as seen in Quinn’s book Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
Showrunner Jess Brownell confirmed in January 2026 that Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton) or Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza) are next in line. The suspense has kept readers on their toes — as has former cast members stepping away from the show.
Page became the most memorable exit when he chose to wrap up one season in. While Bridgerton didn’t recast Simon, Page has stood by his decision not to return. Dynevor later confirmed her own exit from the series, which didn’t appear to be her choice.
The cast has continued to evolve as new leads took over. Keep scrolling to see which Bridgerton characters are returning — and which aren’t — in season 5:
Claudia Jessie
Regardless if Eloise is or isn’t the season 5 lead, she will be a major character on the show.
Hannah Dodd
Francesca is another key role that will be front and center despite the focus of season 5.
Masali Baduza
After getting extended screen time in season 4, Michaela is now a major player on Bridgerton.
Chris FultonWhile Chris Fulton hasn’t returned as Phillip Crane since season 2, the character is expected to either lead season 5 or have a big presence leading up to Eloise’s love story.
Luke Thompson
Despite his season coming to an end, Benedict has a key role in Eloise’s story and will likely be a large part of season 5 regardless.
Yerin Ha
The same goes for Benedict’s now-wife, Sophie, after Yerin Ha confirmed exclusively to Us Weekly that she was expecting to reprise her role.
Jonathan Bailey
With Jonathan Bailey’s screen time getting shorter and shorter, it isn’t clear what the show’s plans are for Anthony.
Simone Ashley
Simone Ashley has also showed support for Kate to return but she has been largely absent since season 2.
Luke Newton
Colin is probably coming back in season 5 but not in the same way he was featured in past seasons.
Nicola Coughlan
The question about how Penelope will be involved in the show has been asked since Lady Whistledown was taken over by someone else.
Victor Alli
John isn’t coming back after he was killed off based on Julia Quinn’s novel.
Florence Hunt
The actress’ role has gotten larger as the show builds up to Hyacinth taking the lead.
Will Tilston
The same can be said for Will Tilston, who is playing Gregory a.k.a the next lead after Eloise and Francesca.
Phoebe Dynevor
Daphne hasn’t been part of the show since season 2.
Phoebe Dyenvor’s onscreen love interest Regé-Jean Page, meanwhile, exited the show in season 1 and hasn’t been back.
Golda Rosheuvel
Despite the real Queen Charlotte’s death in 1818, showrunner Jess Brownell confirmed the show would get creative to keep Golda Rosheuvel on the show.
When Penelope’s identity as Whistledown was a secret, iconic film actress Julie Andrews did the voiceover for the character. Season 3 shook things up by having Penelope take that over after revealing she was behind the Whistledown columns but Andrews remained as the voice in season 4. The same can be said for the new author of Whistledown, who Andrews voiced with a bit of a vocal difference.
Adjoa Andoh
Lady Danbury may have left London but Adjoa Andoh hasn’t left the show.
Ruth Gemmell
Violet is a continued presence as each of her kids find love.
5 Actors We Think Should Play Classic Universal Monsters: Tom Cruise and More
This weekend, Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale assume the roles of the Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein’s monster in a new movie, just a few months after Jacob Elordi played the Creature in Guillermo del Toro‘s Frankenstein. While Watch With Us can’t wait to see how Buckley and Bale do in Maggie Gyllenhaal‘s new film, The Bride!, ...
Read more
Man Killed Blind Girlfriend in Motel, Lived With Her Body for Days
A man in Michigan is facing several years in prison after he was arrested for killing his visually impaired girlfriend at a motel and living with her dead body for several days. Daniel J. Varnes pleaded no contest during a court hearing on Tuesday, March 3, to one count each of second-degree murder, torture and ...
Read more
Serena Williams Goes Braless Underneath a Pink Silk Dress After Weight Loss
Serena Williams looked radiant in a sunset slip dress while ditching her bra. Williams, 44, showed off her figure in a pastel pink slip dress while posing in front of a body of water. In the pic, which she shared via Instagram on Thursday, March 5, Williams rocked a pink ombré number that faded into ...
Read more
'Party' Mom Allegedly Held 'Drunken' Parties for Teens, Encouraged Sex Acts
A California woman deemed a “party mom” by prosecutors was found guilty of 48 criminal charges after she allegedly hosted “drunken” parties for teens at her home, where she encouraged them to engage in sex acts while intoxicated, according to officials. The majority of the teens were 14 and 15 years old and some were ...
Read more
Fighting Hair Loss? This Serum Enhances Growth, Volume and Life
Whether due to stress, excessive heat damage or age, hair loss is unwelcome. More frightening is not knowing the cause, and seeing clumps in hairbrushes and shower drains can feel defeating. Thankfully, this physician-developed serum from The Spa Dr. is formulated to not only stop shedding, but to enhance growth, volume and shine for a ...
Read more
To All the Boys' Lana Condor Finally Reprises Lara Jean Role in 'XO, Kitty'
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before‘s Lana Condor is finally reprising her fan-favorite role as Lara Jean in the third season of XO, Kitty. Netflix announced on Friday, March 6, that Condor will appear in the upcoming season, which premieres on April 2, 2026. This will be the first time Condor appears in the ...
Read more
Father of Ohio Girl Found Dead in Suitcase Was Denied Visitation for 4 Years
The father of one of the two girls found dead inside a set of suitcases left in an Ohio park has broken his silence after the girls’ mother was arrested and charged with their murders. “I just feel useless,” the grieving father told FOX 8 News. “I couldn’t save my daughter.” The man spoke to ...
Read more
Rachel Zoe Is Open to Getting Married Again, But Doesn’t ‘Need a Man’
Finding love is not top of mind for Rachel Zoe following her divorce from Rodger Berman. Zoe, 54, told Interview magazine that dating has been “really fun,” in an interview published on Thursday, March 5. “But also, I don’t ‘need a man’ for traditional reasons. I’m financially independent. I’m socially independent. I have my kids,” ...
Read more
13 Lilly Pulitzer-Style Spring Blouses Hiding on Amazon, From $10
Lilly Pulitzer prints are gorgeous, but spending over $150 on a single blouse stings. The good news? Amazon is packed with bright, colorful tops that capture that same Palm Beach energy for a fraction of the cost. These 13 Lilly Pulitzer-looking spring blouses on Amazon look and feel expensive without the designer price tag. Think bold ...
Read more
3 Best New Netflix Movies to Stream This Weekend (March 6-8): ‘Nuremberg’ and More
Netflix is continuing its 2026 winning streak by sticking to its successful formula of adding interesting new and older movies to its already impressive library. At the top of Watch With Us’ March 2026 binge list is Nuremberg, a compelling World War II drama starring Russell Crowe. If you’re still in Game of Thrones withdrawal, ...
Read more
Why Has 'Love Story' Received Backlash? Negativity to JFK Jr. Show Explained
Ryan Murphy‘s Love Story has caused a variety of strong reactions — but why has there been so much backlash surrounding the show about John F. Kennedy Jr.? Before Love Story even premiered on FX in February 2026, Murphy was criticized by the Kennedys for his plans to dramatize Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr.‘s story ...
Read more
Team USA's Amber Glenn Will Not Be Accepting Invitation to the White House
After taking home a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Team USA figure skater Amber Glenn will not be celebrating her accomplishment at the White House. Glenn, 26, spoke exclusively to Us Weekly on the red carpet of the 37th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on Thursday, ...
Read more
Mom Who Smothered 4-Year-Old Son to Death With Pillow Dies in Prison
A mother from New York has died in prison more than a decade after she was found guilty of smothering her 4-year-old son to death with a pillow. The Westchester County District Attorney confirmed that Manuela Morgado was sentenced to serve 20 years to life in prison in 2014 after she pleaded guilty to second-degree ...
Read more
Fire Country's Bode Fights With Chloe About Her Son Causing Vince's Death
Fire Country‘s Bode makes it clear that he can’t forget Tyler after Chloe’s son admitted to causing Vince’s death. In Us Weekly‘s exclusive clip from the Friday, March 6, episode of the hit CBS series, Bode (Max Thieriot) is visited by Chloe (Alona Tal), who asks him for help with Tyler (Conor Sherry). Bode, however, ...
Read more
Death Penalty Sought in Fatal Beating of Girl Whose Body Was Found in Trunk
Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty for a Georgia woman charged in the murder of 4-year-old Autumn Fox, who was beaten to death before her body was hidden, according to court filings. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Jessica Motes, of Hall County, Georgia, on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery and first-degree ...
Read more
Britney Spears' Ex-Husband Sam Asghari Dodges Question About Her DUI Arrest
Sam Asghari has broken his silence on ex-wife Britney Spears’ recent DUI arrest— kind of. Asghari spoke to NewsNation on Thursday, March 5, discussing the ongoing military conflict between the United States and Iran. However, a question about Spears was slipped into the mix. Asghari attempted to dodge the inquiry, deciding to keep the conversation ...
Read more
Million Dollar Listing's Tracy Tutor Sues Luxury Realtor for Sexual Assault
Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles star Tracy Tutor has accused fellow luxury real estate agent Oren Alexander of sexual assault. Tutor, 50, claimed in a Thursday, March 5, lawsuit obtained by Us Weekly that Alexander, 38, allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2014. In Tutor’s filing, she claimed that she was invited to meet Alexander ...
Read more
Bridgerton Showrunner Shuts Down Fan 'Bigotry' After Gender Swap Backlash
Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell slammed ongoing backlash from fans directed at the show’s decision to gender-swap a character. “There’s no place for racism, homophobia or any kind of bigotry in the Bridgerton universe,” Brownell told Vanity Fair on Tuesday, March 3, when asked about the continued negativity directed at actors Masali Baduza and Hannah Dodd. ...
Read more
This Hydrating Sunscreen Will Make You Want to Use SPF Every Single Day
My friends call me the sunscreen police. The first thing I ask them when we meet up is, ‘Did you apply your SPF today?’ (Yes, even in the winter.) I’ve heard every excuse as to why they don’t wear it: It’s too gloopy. It doesn’t play well with my other skincare. It breaks me out. ...
Read more
Mormon Wives’ Jessi Is ‘Extremely Unhappy’ With Plastic Surgery Results
Jessi Ngatikaura got emotional while discussing her plastic surgery results. Ngatikaura, 33, took to TikTok on Thursday, March 5, to get candid about her look after getting an upper and lower blepharoplasty and fat injections in her face. While doing press for season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Ngatikaura shared that she ...
Read more