Shonda Rhimes, the executive producer behind the hit Netflix period drama Bridgerton, has confirmed that a new spinoff series is "definitely" in the pipeline. The 56-year-old creator expressed excitement about exploring more of the regency era world, building on the success of the 2023 prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Potential Focus on Violet Bridgerton
During an appearance on the Glass Half Full podcast, Rhimes told host Craig Melvin that she sees rich potential for further storytelling. She specifically highlighted Violet Bridgerton, the family matriarch played by Ruth Gemmell, as a strong candidate for a spinoff focus. "I've always said that I thought if we were going to do something like that, Violet would be a great person to tell the story about—the Bridgerton mom," Rhimes explained.
Violet's Journey in Season Four
Fans recently witnessed Violet's romantic storyline develop in season four, where her relationship with Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) blossomed. This connection emerged years after the death of her husband, Edmund Bridgerton. However, showrunner Jess Brownwell indicated that Violet wasn't ready for marriage yet, suggesting on Bridgerton: The Official Podcast that accepting Marcus' proposal "would be like her marrying the first guy right after her husband." Brownwell added that Violet has more personal growth ahead, needing to see her children established before pursuing her own desires fully.
Author's Perspective on Violet's Story
Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton book series that inspired the show, has addressed fan interest in Violet's story. Despite writing the novella Violet in Bloom, which explores Violet's life from childhood through meeting Edmund and his death, Quinn stated on her website's FAQ section that she doesn't plan to write further about the character. She expressed concern about the bittersweet nature of the story, given Edmund's early death at age 39, and admitted, "I don't think I could come up with anyone good enough for her. Seriously. I just adore her."
Alison Hammond's Bridgerton Role
In other Bridgerton news, This Morning presenter Alison Hammond surprised fans by revealing she has secured a role in the series. The 51-year-old entered the Bridgerton universe this season as host of its new official Netflix podcast, where she recaps drama and interviews cast members. Reports suggest producers were so impressed with Hammond that they want her to make a cameo appearance in season five, with insiders predicting she'll "steal every scene." During a Q&A with series four leads Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson, Hammond teased, "You won't know this yet, but we've just been speaking and apparently there's a new character!" Executive producer Tom Verica then announced, "Alison opens Season Five," sparking excitement among attendees.
Season Four Developments
The most recent season of Bridgerton saw significant changes, including Nicola Coughlan's Lady Penelope stepping down as the gossip columnist Lady Whistledown. As the season concluded, viewers heard a new voice taking over the Whistledown role, voiced by Julie Andrews, signaling a fresh direction for the series. The new narrator declared, "You thought I was gone for good, but far too much transpires for this author to remain silent."
Bridgerton continues to captivate audiences with its blend of romance, drama, and regency-era intrigue, available for streaming on Netflix. With Rhimes' confirmation of spinoff plans and new cast additions like Alison Hammond, the franchise shows no signs of slowing its expansion into new storytelling territories.
