‘Bridgerton’ Theory: Why Hyacinth’s Love Interest Could Arrive in Season 5

Countless theories have surfaced ever since Bridgerton announced its Season 5 leads, Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) — and not just ones concerning how the main couple’s love story. For many Bridgerton viewers, the show’s side-plots are also of interest. Some have predicted that Eloise’s (Claudia Jessie) story won’t be the only one the show will lay the groundwork for in Season 5.

We’ve seen fan speculation that Hyacinth’s (Florence Hunt) love interest may come onto the scene. Based on what we know of the books, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

We know what you’re thinking: Isn’t it too soon for Hyacinth’s romance? Let’s backtrack a little. Though teenage Hyacinth isn’t all that eager to enter society anymore by the end of Season 4, showrunner Jess Brownell teased that this may change in Season 5. She told Swooon that “we’re fortunate that we still have Hyacinth’s debut ahead of us, and I think she is quite keen to debut sooner rather than later. It might not be immediately, but I think we will always find ways to bring the story back to Mayfair and to the balls and to the Marriage Mart.”

Season 5 will take place two years after the events of the previous season, meaning Hyacinth very well might have had a change of heart and be of-age for her debut. But even if she doesn’t officially enter the Marriage Mart in Season 5, Gareth St. Clair may still come into the picture. Why? If you’ve read author Julia Quinn’s It’s In His Kiss, which Hyacinth’s season will be based on, you know that Gareth isn’t far removed from the world of the Bridgerton siblings. He’s Lady Danbury’s (Adjoa Andoh) grandson!

By the end of Season 4, Lady Danbury gets permission from the Queen to leave Mayfair. She wants to return to her ancestral home in Africa and revisit her roots. That doesn’t mean Lady Danbury will be absent next season. Brownell has already confirmed that she’ll be in Season 5. What if Lady Danbury returns to London with her grandson, Gareth, and Season 5 incorporates the prologue from It’s in His Kiss?  (Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Julia Quinn’s It’s in His Kiss.)

Years before Hyacinth and Gareth fall in love, Gareth’s father calls him home from university and announces that he’s going to be married. It doesn’t make sense to Gareth, who’s only 18 and still studying. Further, the bride his father has picked, Mary, has an intellectual disability. Gareth has been her friend and defender for years, but she’s “like a child” mentally. Gareth insists that it would be wrong to marry her. His father, Richard, claims that they need Mary’s dowry to save their family from financial ruin. (Both Gareth’s mother and older brother have died.) During their conversation, Richard reveals that Gareth isn’t his biological son and threatens to cut him off if he doesn’t go through with the marriage.

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Lady Danbury, Gareth’s maternal grandmother, gives him funds for university and a place to stay. When Gareth and Hyacinth’s romance begins, a decade has passed. They’ve been in each other’s social circles by that point, and Hyacinth has been reading aloud to Lady Danbury for some time, but they haven’t truly interacted. When she and Gareth properly meet, Hyacinth has already spent three seasons out in society, unable to find someone who matches (and enjoys) her sharp, outspoken nature.

We could see Hyacinth’s debut (and unsuccessful turn on the Marriage Mart) all coming to pass before her season begins — as well as the events of Gareth’s prologue. It’s only a matter of when, since Hyacinth’s story would likely unfold in Season 7, which has yet to be greenlit. It’s certainly possible that Bridgerton could push off some of Gareth’s storyline to Season 6, but maybe at least mention him in Season 5. Let us know your prediction in the comments below!

Bridgerton, Season 5, TBA, Netflix