Netflix confirms Bridgerton season 5 leads as Michaela and Francesca following huge cliffhanger

Netflix has just announced the leads for the upcoming series of Bridgerton, and the couple will have a lot of baggage to unpack in season five.

Earlier this afternoon (24 March), the streaming giant released a teaser trailer announcing that Hannah Dodd will be taking centre stage as Francesca Bridgerton, while Masali Baduza's Michaela Stirling will be her love interest.

Fans have been absolutely buzzing about Francesca and Michaela ever since the TV series gender swapped Francesca's future lover (the character is called Michael in the books).

While Francesca and Michaela aren't the only LGBTQ+ characters in Bridgerton - Benedict Bridgerton is bisexual - it's the first time a queer love story is taking centre stage.

Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell told Tudum: "I cannot say enough good things about Hannah and Masali. The two of them have such a beautiful friendship and support each other in such a beautiful way.

"But, beyond that, I really do think that they are two incredibly talented and special performers. They’re actors who are able to say so much with just an expression, with just their faces."

Brownell has explained that the upcoming season will be defined by the 'big-time yearning' of its central couple.

Opening up about the Regency-era series now shining a light on a queer relationship like Francesca and Michaela’s, Dodd said: "[Those love stories] have traditionally been excluded from things like period dramas - and queer people did exist, have always existed, and will always exist.

"So they deserve a love story just like everybody else."

Meanwhile, Baduza added: "I think it’s been really special to have Jess guide us on this journey because she’s very excited about this story.

The Bridgerton season five leads have just been announced (Netflix)

"What we really want to achieve is giving a realistic view of queer love onscreen and [giving them] a happily ever after. I think [this] is really important for a lot of the queer community to see onscreen, to know that it can work out, and that they deserve to also feel love."

Quick recap: Michaela is the cousin of Francesca's husband, Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli), making her first appearance at the end of season three.

Despite early tensions between the pair, they developed a firm friendship, with Michaela supporting Francesca after Lord John unexpectedly died in season four.

But the season finale left them divided.

Michaela is defined by her globe-trotting ways, and in the final episode, Francesca asked her to stay in Mayfair, saying she's the only person who truly understands her.

Michaela agreed to stay, but something unspoken passed between the two when they touched hands.

The pairing of Francesca and Michaela forms the foundation of Bridgerton’s first same-gender central romance (Netflix)

Shortly after, Michaela took off without saying goodbye - perhaps realising she was starting to fall for Francesca and wrestling with her feelings.

Fans are praying the couple will get their happy ending in season five, and they rushed to social media to share their excitement that the couple would be the leads.

One X user beamed: "LESSSGGGGOOOOOOOOOOO."

"IM GONNA CRY RN THIS IS INSANE," gushed a second, as a third chimed in: "Franchaela era incoming…... my heart isn’t ready!"

And a final period drama fan echoed: "They ARE the best thing that's ever happened to Bridgerton."