'Bridgerton': Why Waiting For Eloise's Story Isn't Such A Bad Thing

Since the hit fourth season of Bridgerton ended, fans have eagerly speculated on which sibling would follow after second-son Benedict Bridgerton, to become the romantic lead for season five: marriage-averse Eloise, played by Claudia Jesse, or the recently widowed Francesca, played by Hannah Dodd. It was recently confirmed that Francesca would take the spotlight, finding a second chance at love with her late Husband John Stirling's cousin, Michaela, in the show's first queer leading romance.

A lot of the current buzz around season five is, understandably, focused on the decision to centre a queer relationship in the series. Although, almost equally prominent in the discussion are fans disappointed at having to wait even longer for Eloise's story, pointing out that the character's anti-marriage stance is getting old, and the fact that Eloise's book was released before Francesca's.

However, there are a number of reasons why it might not hurt for Bridgerton to hold off on telling Eloise's story.

Crossover of Events

The first three books in Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series, The Duke and I (Daphne's Story), The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony's Story), and An Offer from a Gentleman (Benedict's Story), occur more or less in chronological order. However, the following three books, while still each focused on a single sibling's story, feature significant crossover in the timeline of events.

A key event that sets off the core plot of Eloise's story actually occurs in Colin and Penelope's book, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, and although Eloise's book, To Sir Philip, With Love, was released before Francesca's book, When He was Wicked, the bulk of Francesca's story actually takes place before Eloise's. The Bridgerton TV series has already played with the timeline somewhat, switching the order of Colin and Benedict's stories. It makes the same, if not more sense to also switch Francesca and Eloise.

A Certain Tragedy setting up Eloise's story has yet to occur

In season one, Bridgerton deviated majorly from the books in the storyline of Marina Thompson, a debutante staying with the Featheringtons who is later revealed to be pregnant to her lover, a soldier named George Crane whom she believes to have abandoned her. After Whistledown/Penelope Featherington saves Colin Bridgerton from Marina's attempt to baby trap him, Marina learns George had died in battle, not abandoned her, and George's brother, Sir Philip Crane, offers to marry Marina and protect her honour. Colin briefly visits Marina in season two for closure.

Despite her prominent supporting role in season one of the TV series, Marina doesn't appear at all in the first book, the Duke and I. Instead, she is a distant Bridgerton cousin, mentioned in Eloise's book as the recently deceased Wife of Sir Philip Crane. Eloise writes a condolence letter to Philip, beginning a secret correspondence that leads into the core part of the story.

While a minor character in the book, Marina was a major character in season one, so her death, even if it occurred offscreen, would not pass without comment. In fact, it cannot pass without comment, because Marina's death is a major narrative trigger for Eloise's story. Having this death occur in Francesca's season may even be fitting from a plot perspective, as having witnessed her sister's grief over the loss of John may inspire Eloise's initial condolence letter to Philip.

The new Lady Whistledown mystery helps set up a part of Eloise's Story

Bridgerton's fourth season finale throws an unexpected twist at viewers when, shortly after Penelope decides to retire Lady Whistledown, a new anonymous writer takes up the column. Mostly, this allows the show to play with the mystery of Whistledown in a way it never could originally, because the answer was already out there among book readers. Aside from the mystery of the new Lady Whistledown's identity, the twist returns a potential plot point to the table for Eloise that was believed wiped out after the reveal of Penelope as Lady Whistledown.

In the third Bridgerton book, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, many in the ton are trying to uncover Lady Whistledown's identity and collect a reward. At one point, Eloise falls under suspicion after regularly being seen with ink stained fingers. This is a red herring, as Eloise is vindicated when Penelope reveals herself. The following book, To Sir Philip, with Love, circles back to explain Eloise's ink-stained fingers as a consequence of writing letters.

With the Lady Whistledown mystery back in play, the show may have a chance to use this red herring and plant early seeds to Eloise's season.

We could get our first major cliffhanger ending to a 'Bridgerton' season

The current new Lady Whistledown mystery is the closest Bridgerton has come so far to a true cliffhanger ending, but it is not a link to the major upcoming plot of Francesca and Michaela. The other seasons so far have each ended with the happily ever after moment of the season's lead couple, and perhaps a small teaser as to the next season's lead plot, such as at the end of season three,when Eloise reassures Benedict that she will return from Scotland in time to share the burden of their Mother's Masquerade Ball.

Bridgerton season five will have to tweak the usual conventions of their happy ever after, as being a Sapphic couple in Regency England, Francesca and Michaela will not have a traditional wedding, or the usual big reveal to the ton. Their ending, however the show handles it, will by necessity, and perhaps fittingly to Francesca's personality, be a quieter affair. Possibly, this would give the show room to end the season with a big bang of another kind.

The fifth Bridgerton novel, To Sir Philip, with Love, begins with Eloise having run away, unchaperoned, to meet Sir Philip, leaving her family with no clue as to where she has gone until they find her letters. Some fans believe that season five, in the series first major cliffhanger, will end with Eloise's disappearance, and the beginning of season six will circle back to explain the circumstances of where she has gone and why.

More time with Claudia Jessie and Eloise

While she had appeared in a few small roles prior, the opportunity to play serial marriage-avoider Eloise Bridgerton was easily the breakout role for English actress Claudia Jessie. Four seasons into the series, Eloise remains a firm fan favourite, which probably explains why some are disappointed at having to wait longer for the character's star season.

However, there is a flip side to this issue that some haven't considered. Eloise Bridgerton has been front and centre as a supporting player in all four seasons of Bridgerton so far. But, long time viewers will be aware that each Bridgerton sibling fades from focus somewhat after their lead season has passed. While fans may be disappointed at having to wait another season before Eloise takes centre stage, it also means we get an extra year with Eloise, and Claudia, before she steps back from the limelight once her lead role in season six is over.

Eloise's time will come, and it may be all the better if it is set up well in season five.