Is Bridgerton’s Eloise or Francesca the Season 5 Lead? Hints Explained

Season 5 of Bridgerton will follow either Eloise or Francesca — but did the season 4 finale confirm which of them would be next?

Based on Julia Quinn‘s book series, Bridgerton devotes each season to a new member of the fictional family. Season 1 was focused on Quinn’s The Duke and I, which was about Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset’s (Regé-Jean Page) love story.

Season 2 followed The Viscount Who Loved Me about Anthony Bridgerton’s (Jonathan Bailey) connection with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). Benedict Bridgerton’s (Luke Thompson) season was delayed despite him being the subject of the third novel — An Offer From a Gentleman — so viewers watched him and Sophie (Yerin Ha) get their happily ever after in season 4 while the third season focused on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) as seen in Quinn’s book Romancing Mister Bridgerton.

Showrunner Jess Brownell confirmed that Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton) or Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza) are next in line when she wore two white pocket squares with the initials E and F at the season 4 premiere in January.

“Both characters with the initials on my pocket squares will get seasons in 5 and in 6,” Brownell told Deadline at the time. “In what order? I can’t say.”

Some of Us were curious enough to look for possible hints throughout season 4 about who will be taking over now that Benedict is married to Sophie. Keep scrolling for a breakdown of the biggest clues:

Eloise’s Shift as a Character

While past seasons showed Eloise getting involved in hijinks and constantly attempting to avoid the marriage mart, this time around showed Us a different side to her. Eloise still wasn’t interested in finding a husband but she was more of a presence at balls and didn’t run at the mere mention of one.

John’s Heartbreaking Death

As book fans already knew, Francesca wasn’t meant to stay married to John for long. His death would push her into a period of mourning before she eventually found love again with his cousin. Season 4 killed off John, introduced major hints that Michaela was developing a crush on Francesca and paved the way for their eventual reconciliation.

Eloise’s Thoughts on Weddings

The post-credits scene took Us by surprise when Eloise expressed interest in more weddings — if only to see her loved ones more. With Eloise coming around to the idea of love instead of swearing it off completely, the crumbs were being dropped for her to come into contact with Phillip with a more open heart than in past seasons.

Francesca’s Promise That She Will Never Get Married Again

Something about Francesca swearing off love felt like a build up to her inadvertently finding it again when she will least expect it. Perhaps sooner rather than later?