Bridgerton actress Gracie McGonigal has remained tight-lipped about whether she will return for the upcoming fifth season of the hit Netflix series, but has hinted that she is 'excited' for what lies ahead.
McGonigal portrayed Hazel, a serving girl who becomes a close friend of Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) after they work together at Bridgerton House in season four. Speaking exclusively at the National Film Awards, she told The Mirror: '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.'
Season Four Focused on 'Downstairs' Characters
McGonigal discussed how the latest season gave fans 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.' She praised co-stars Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha as 'unbelievable' actors and admitted she is a big fan of 'everyone in the show'. 'With something as amazing as Bridgerton, I'm still looking around like, "Ah I love your work!"' she said.
Season 5 Return Uncertain
When pressed on whether she might return for the fifth season, McGonigal coyly replied: 'TBC, I cannot confirm or deny, but I'm excited for it nonetheless!' The show is set to return in 2027, with Hannah Dodd and Masali Baduza taking centre stage as Lady Francesca Stirling and Michaela Stirling as their romance unfolds. The series will focus on a queer love story, which showrunner Jess Brownell described as 'groundbreaking'.
Queer Love Story 'Groundbreaking'
'It feels groundbreaking. Obviously, there are a lot of great shows that have depicted queer love. We're not the first by any means,' Brownell told Netflix Tudum. '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 said: '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, adapted from Julia Quinn's novels by Shonda Rhimes, first premiered in 2020. The first season followed Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page), the second focused on Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), and the third centred on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). Season four shifted the spotlight to Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). All seasons are available to stream on Netflix.
