"BRIDGERTON" ADDS NEW MEMBERS OF THE TON IN SEASON 5

Netflix and Shondaland announced today Bridgerton Season 5 is adding new faces to the cast of the ton. The fifth season of Bridgerton spotlights introverted middle daughter Francesca Stirling (Hannah Dodd), who reenters the marriage mart for practical reasons but begins to question her resolve when John's cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) returns to London.

New Cast Include:

· Tega Alexander (he/him) (Mobland, The Sandman) will play the role of Christopher Anderson. A Regency-era Casanova who could give the Bridgerton bachelors a run for their money. Yet behind his cheeky facade lies a current of self-doubt that threatens to unravel him. The son of Lord Anderson will make his mark on society, one way or another...

o Tega Alexander Headshot (credit: Marc Sirisi)

o Bio: Tega can be seen most recently in Guy Ritchie's MOBLAND for Paramount+ and THE SANDMAN for Netflix. Tega is a multi-talented creative whose journey is deeply rooted in artistic expression, collaboration, and impactful storytelling. He is dedicated to pushing boundaries in acting, directing, and creative storytelling across multiple mediums.

· Jacqueline Boatswain (she/her) (Carnival Row) will play the role of Helen Stirling. Michaela's mother and the very source of her spirit. Like any mama, she seeks to guide -- and occasionally push -- her daughter through London's social season, with equal measures vivaciousness and tough love.

o Jacqueline Boatswain Headshot (credit: Darren Bell)

o Bio: Jacqueline has recently wrapped on The Blame for ITV opposite Michelle Keegan. Last year she filmed both The Marlow Murder Club and series 2 of After The Flood, reprising he role as Sarah Mackie. Prior to this she performed in the RSC's Pericles directed by Tamara Harvey that played in both Stratford and Chicago. Other recent credits include: Little Disasters based on the novel by Sarah Vaughan, Neil Gaiman's Sandman for Netflix and Anansi Boys for Amazon. Jacqueline can be seen in The Diplomat for Netflix and Chemistry of Death for Paramount+, as well as a great role in the latest Fantastic Beasts film, and four episodes of the second series of Carnival Row. Previous credits also include; Shakespeare and Hathaway for the BBC, Agatha and the Death of X for Channel 5, Alex Rider for Amazon Prime, Miracle Workers for CBS, Vera for ITV, and Lethal White for the BBC, and Bancroft for ITV (as a regular). She also recently appeared in Small Island at the National Theatre (available on demand at home). Jacqui has also had regular roles in Collateral for the BBC by David Hare and in Cuckoo for Rough Cut TV, and Shameless for Channel 4, as well as the Russell T Davies drama Cucumber for Channel 4. Additionally, Jacqui is an extremely well-respected stage actor appearing alongside Tom Hiddleston  in  Coriolanus at the Donmar Warehouse as well was working many times with the National Theatre and Old Vic.

· Gemma Knight Jones (she/her) (Mobland) will play the role of Lady Elizabeth Ashworth. Elizabeth is an old friend of Michaela's who serves as her confidante and London guide. Beneath Elizabeth's playful charm lies a grounded realist who is wise to the unspoken rules of society.

o Gemma Knight Jones Headshot (credit: Alan Howard)

o Bio: Gemma is a versatile stage and screen actor whose work spans television, film and theatre. Television credits include Kill Jackie (Amazon), Mobland (Paramount+), Going Dutch (FOX), Professor T (ITV), Andor (Disney+) and the long-running BBC series EastEnders. On film, she has appeared in Sunray (Apple TV) and the musical feature Been So Long (Netflix). Gemma's extensive theatre work includes A Christmas Carol (Old Vic), Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre), Falsettos (The Other Palace), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Gielgud & Piccadilly Theatre), The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre), Sister Act, Hairspray (UK tour), Been So Long (Young Vic).

About Season 5

· Logline: The fifth season of Bridgerton spotlights introverted middle daughter Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons. But when John's cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran's complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.

· Character Descriptions:

o Hannah Dodd as Francesca Stirling. Countess of Kilmartin: Reserved and contained, Francesca has long felt out of place in the world. As Michaela stirs up new feelings inside her, Fran will make discoveries about herself that could change everything.

o Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling. Beneath Michaela's charming and vivacious exterior hides a vulnerable young woman who is quick to run the second she feels discomfort. But this season, Michaela must face her vulnerability head-on as she's forced to navigate her relationship to her late cousin's legacy -- and to Francesca.

· Episode Count: 8

· Filming Location: London, UK

· Showrunner/ EP: Jess Brownell

· Executive Producers: Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica, and Chris Van Dusen

About Bridgerton

Bridgerton captivated viewers around the world when Netflix and Shondaland debuted the iconic series in 2020. The fifth season will turn its focus to introverted middle daughter Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and is currently in production in London. Season 4 recently debuted at #1 on the Global English TV list and reached the Top 10 in 92 countries with each season continuing to be among Netflix's Most Popular, with Seasons 1 and 3 currently ranking as #5 and #7, respectively, while the fan-beloved prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, dominated the Global Top 10. The franchise has amassed a global fandom that caters to an underserved romance audience, piercing the cultural zeitgeist with unparalleled success and igniting trends as fans celebrate their love of the series through memes, music, books, fashion, décor and more. Live experiences like the Bridgerton Concerts by Candlelight series, and immersive offerings at both Netflix House locations in Philadelphia and Dallas, as well as a growing collection of consumer products, have catapulted the Bridgerton name into an extraordinarily sought-after lifestyle brand. The franchise will continue to offer fresh ways for its passionate fan base to immerse themselves in the Bridgerton universe both on and off screen. Follow @BridgertonNetflix.

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