By Shira Kramer, Editor-in-Chief
Netflix’s Bridgerton released its fourth season in two parts this year, with the first arriving on January 29 and the second following on February 26. While its release has been quite popular with fans, pushing the series to No. 1 on Netflix’s Top 10 list, they will have to be satisfied with just four seasons for some time. Although the show’s fifth and sixth seasons have been greenlit by Netflix, new episodes are unlikely to arrive anytime soon.
Since the show’s debut in 2020, Bridgerton has settled into a frustrating yet consistent pattern of producing a season every two years. For fans, this means that they either have to stretch eight episodes over 24 months or binge them in a few days and endure the wait. As a fan myself, I have often wondered why it takes so long for Netflix to produce a new season when it seems like other, lesser shows come out faster.
Executive producer Shonda Rhimes (founder of production company Shondaland, which is also famous for producing Grey’s Anatomy and How to Get Away With Murder) told Variety that Netflix is part of the problem. “They want to write everything, and then they want to shoot everything, which is — it’s very counterintuitive to the way I learned to make television,” she said.
While some may be quick to blame delays on COVID-19 or the SAG-AFTRA strike, those explanations no longer apply. Earlier seasons of Bridgerton were undoubtedly impacted by pandemic shutdowns, and the 2023 labor strikes across Hollywood temporarily halted many productions. However, those disruptions have since passed, and the extended gaps between seasons have continued. Therefore, the delays are not simply the result of external crises, but are instead built into the way the show is produced and released.
In addition to Netflix’s inevitable delays, Bridgerton is simply a larger production than most modern television shows. As is true for all period pieces, Bridgerton sets and costumes are far more complex to produce. Moreover, what may be a shock to viewers is that these sets are not permanent. They often need to be built, dismantled and rebuilt for each season, especially as the show includes new characters and storylines. The same is true for costumes which have to be made in large quantities prior to filming in order to maintain the show’s distinctive aesthetic.
Filming itself also takes time, as the Bridgerton cast is quite large. With a sizable ensemble and intricate scenes that do not always follow the plot of the books, production can take months. Not to mention the elaborate ballroom sequences, which require choreography, extras and detailed staging. Nothing in Bridgerton is effortless!
Even after filming ends, post-production requires additional time to edit, score and make visual adjustments. Because Netflix does not release one episode a week and releases in batches, many episodes have to be fully ready at once before the season can premiere.
Netflix’s decision to split season four into two parts also reflects a broader strategy to keep viewers engaged for longer periods. While this may build anticipation, it also highlights a growing frustration among fans who feel that shorter seasons should not require such long waits.
Still, despite the long breaks, fans continue to return. And, if we’re being honest, as long as Bridgerton remains as visually rich and emotionally engaging as it is, audiences will keep waiting — no matter how long it takes.
In the meantime, fans anticipating season five can rejoice because on March 24, it was confirmed that Francesca and Michaela will be the leads of the forthcoming season.
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