Shonda Rhimes Reveals How She Really Feels About Bridgerton’s Gender-Swap Twist

Bridgerton just made one of its boldest pivots yet with Francesca, and Shonda Rhimes is clearly into how viewers are rolling with it.

In a new chat with People on Sunday, April 26, Rhimes said fans have largely backed the show as it’s zigged and zagged from the books. She called the response to season 4 pretty extraordinary and, even better, said season 5 has already started filming. She’s seen early footage of Francesca and her newly gender-swapped love interest, Michaela, and loves how the story is opening up. No spoilers from her, but the vibe is: very happy, very confident.

Where Francesca’s story is headed

Quick refresher: Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn’s novels, with each season zeroing in on a different Bridgerton sibling’s love life in Regency London. Francesca (played by Hannah Dodd) steps into the spotlight in season 5. On the show, she married John Stirling (Victor Alli) and then lost him in season 4. In the books, she eventually finds love again with John’s cousin, Michael. The series swaps Michael for Michaela (Masali Baduza), who turns up in season 4 and sets the stage for Francesca’s next chapter.

The conversation around the change

Yes, the gender swap sparked debate online. Showrunner Jess Brownell addressed it head-on back in March, laying out the show’s values as clearly as it gets:

"There is no place for homophobia or racism or any form of bigotry in the Bridgerton world. Bridgerton is about love and inclusivity."

Brownell also singled out Baduza and Dodd (both 30) for support, saying the cast and crew deserve nothing but positivity and noting how many fans have already rallied around them. As for the creative choice, she’s been upfront: Bridgerton is a glossy fantasy where audiences should see themselves reflected, and making a whole season about a sapphic love story feels like a big, meaningful step for the show.

• Books vs. show: Francesca’s second-chance romance is with Michael in Julia Quinn’s novel When He Was Wicked; the series reimagines him as Michaela.
• Who’s who: Hannah Dodd is Francesca; Masali Baduza is Michaela; Victor Alli played John Stirling.
• Timing: Michaela appears in season 4; Francesca leads season 5.
• Production: Rhimes says season 5 is already filming, and the early Francesca/Michaela scenes are clicking.
• Status: Bridgerton is streaming on Netflix now.

Bottom line: the show is steering Francesca’s arc into new territory, the bosses are fully backing it, and cameras are rolling. If the footage is as strong as Rhimes suggests, season 5 could be Bridgerton’s boldest season yet.