Bridgerton star Gracie McGonigal has opened up about her experience joining the cast for season four, calling it 'incredible' and hinting at a possible return for the upcoming fifth season. The actress, who portrayed serving girl Hazel in the latest series, spoke exclusively at the National Film Awards about her time on the Shonda Rhimes production.
Gracie McGonigal's Role and Experience
McGonigal's character Hazel developed a close friendship with Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha, after they worked together at Bridgerton House. Reflecting on the secrecy required, McGonigal told The Daily Express: 'It was incredible, it was really hard to keep under wraps, I wasn't allowed to say anything to any of my friends and family but it was absolutely unbelievable.'
She also highlighted how the latest season provided more insight into the lives of the 'downstairs' characters, adding: 'Bringing that different energy to the show, feeling like something new four seasons in, something you don't get all the time, it was lovely to do that.'
Praise for Co-Stars and Future Hints
McGonigal praised her co-stars Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha as 'unbelievable' actors, admitting she remains a big fan of 'everyone in the show.' She said: 'With something as amazing as Bridgerton, I'm still looking around like, "Ah I love your work!"'
When asked about the possibility of returning for season five, McGonigal coyly replied: 'TBC, I cannot confirm or deny, but I'm excited for it nonetheless!'
Season Five: A Groundbreaking Queer Love Story
Bridgerton is set to return in 2027 with a fifth season that will focus on a queer love story between Lady Francesca Stirling (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). Showrunner Jess Brownell told Netflix Tudum: 'It feels groundbreaking. Obviously, 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.'
Hannah Dodd added: '[Queer love stories] have traditionally been excluded from things like period dramas - and queer people did exist, have always existed, and will always exist.' Masali Baduza echoed this sentiment, saying: 'It's been really special to have Jess guide us on this journey, because she's very excited about this story. What we really want to achieve is giving a realistic view of queer love onscreen and [giving them] a happily ever after.'
Bridgerton first premiered in 2020, chronicling the romance between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page). Subsequent seasons followed Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) marrying Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), and most recently Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) falling for Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).
