Bridgerton‘s future is unclear (at least regarding whose stories will be told next), and the next three seasons will undoubtedly revolve around Benedict, Eloise, and Francesca, but the order in which their romances will be explored is a mystery. The Netflix historical romance TV show, created by Chris Van Dusen, is based on Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series. Just like each novel, every season of Bridgerton follows one of the Bridgerton siblings’ love stories, and so far, Daphne’s, Anthony’s, and Colin’s tales have been featured in the first, second, and third seasons, respectively.

Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell predicts that season 4 will premiere approximately two years following season 3’s ending. However, neither Brownell nor Netflix have revealed which Bridgerton sibling the upcoming episodes will center around.

There has been a lot of talk concerning which Bridgerton character will step into the spotlight in season 4. Some believe it will be Benedict because the series skipped over his story (according to the book order) to tell Colin and Penelope’s. Others think the writers will continue delaying Benedict’s romance and jump to Eloise’s with a character last seen in season 2. Meanwhile, a few predict Francesca’s story is next in line after her marriage to John Stirling in season 3. Whatever the case, all these tales will likely come to life on the screen one day, given the show’s success.

Bridgerton Season 4’s Lead Comes Down To 3 Characters, Says Showrunner

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Why Bridgerton Season 4 Should Be Benedict’s Season

Benedict’s Love Story Is Told In The Third Bridgerton Book

Although Eloise or Francesca may still be at the center of Bridgerton season 4, it’s more likely that Benedict will finally find the love of his life in the upcoming episodes, which is the way it should be. Benedict’s story is told in Julia Quinn’s third Bridgerton book — An Offer from a Gentleman. As mentioned above, the writers of the Netflix series decided to ignore the book order by adapting Colin’s novel before Benedict’s. They aren’t afraid to make changes to the Bridgerton books to better fit their story, and it evidently wasn’t time for Benedict’s romance, but it is now.

Bridgerton Book
Main Character
Publication Date

The Duke and I
Daphne
January 5, 2000

The Viscount Who Loved Me
Anthony
December 5, 2000

An Offer from a Gentleman
Benedict
July 3, 2001

Romancing Mister Bridgerton
Colin
July 1, 2002

To Sir Phillip, With Love
Eloise
July 1, 2003

When He Was Wicked
Francesca
June 29, 2004

It’s In His Kiss
Hyacinth
June 28, 2005

On the Way to the Wedding
Gregory
June 27, 2006

As the second-oldest Bridgerton sibling, Benedict has waited long enough to get married and settle down. Of course, Benedict needed to do some soul-searching and growing before he was ready to meet Sophie Beckett, and he has done a lot of that in the past three seasons. After his storyline in season 3 and Benedict’s discovery and acceptance of his bisexuality, it feels like season 4 is the right time for him to take center stage.

Benedict has always been a free spirit, which is why it has taken so long for his love story to come to fruition. He wasn’t ready to find a lifelong partner, and while Benedict told Lady Tilley Arnold in season 3 that he wanted to be free a little while longer, it was implied that Benedict would be well-equipped to settle down soon. Plus, given the tease of a masquerade ball towards the end of Bridgerton season 3 (which is where Benedict meets Sophie in the book), the odds of season 4 revolving around Benedict are (thankfully) favorable.

Why Bridgerton Season 5 Should Be Eloise’s Season

Eloise’s Romance Takes Place In The Fifth Bridgerton Book

Perhaps Eloise’s book story will come to life in Bridgerton season 4. But similar to her favorite brother, Eloise must undergo character development before she is ready to settle down. Of course, Eloise has grown a lot since season 1, but she hasn’t gotten to a place where she’s at least a tiny bit open to marriage and love, making her unequipped to lead season 4. As a result, it would make the most sense for Eloise’s romance (which takes place in Julia Quinn’s fifth Bridgerton novel — To Sir Phillip, With Love) to come in Bridgerton season 5.

Eloise decided to move to Scotland to stay with Francesca, John, and Michaela at the Stirling family’s estate during Bridgerton season 3’s conclusion. She wants to travel and see what else the world has to offer outside of London, while also figuring out a way to make a difference in it. Eloise simply has to find herself before she can commit to anyone in Bridgerton on Netflix.

Some predict that Bridgerton will completely change Eloise’s book story and give her a new love interest in the Netflix TV show.

After her falling out with Theo Sharpe at the end of Bridgerton season 2 and her feud (and eventual reconciliation) with Penelope in season 3, Eloise still has a lot of soul-searching to do. Hopefully, she will continue to grow in season 4, and the upcoming episodes will plant the seeds (like starting to write letters to Phillip Crane) for Eloise’s romance to bloom in Bridgerton season 5. 

Why Bridgerton Season 6 Should Be Francesca’s Season

Francesca’s Story Occurs During The Sixth Bridgerton Book

Francesca’s love story culminates in Julia Quinn’s sixth Bridgerton book — When He Was Wicked — and it seems like the show will (and should) follow suit by adapting the novel in season 6. Of course, based on the book, it would make sense for Francesca’s opportunity to step into the spotlight to come after Benedict’s and Eloise’s. However, it also makes sense solely in the context of the Netflix historical romance TV series.

When He Was Wicked picks up two years after Francesca and John’s wedding, and without giving too many spoilers away, that is when Francesca’s true love story begins.

Francesca met and married John during Bridgerton season 3, which somewhat falls in line with the narrative in the books. The sixth-oldest Bridgerton sibling marries John in between the third (An Offer from a Gentleman) and fourth (Romancing Mister Bridgerton) novels. When He Was Wicked picks up two years after Francesca and John’s wedding, and without giving too many spoilers away, that is when Francesca’s true love story begins. So, Francesca and John have to be married for a couple of years before her Bridgerton season can come along, meaning that season 6 will likely revolve around Hannah Dodd’s character.