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South Australian Coroner Calls for Urgent Lifejacket Rule Changes Following Tragic Death Toll

AU

NewsFinale Journal

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February 26, 2026

South Australian Coroner Calls for Urgent Lifejacket Rule Changes Following Tragic Death Toll

The call for a state government to pioneer tougher lifejacket regulations comes in the wake of an inquest into the fatalities of eight men across four distinct boating accidents.

And South Australian coroner David Whittle says “prudent” offshore fishermen should consider equipping their lifejackets with GPS-enabled personal locator beacons.

On Thursday, findings were presented regarding the tragic events of 2024 and 2025, scrutinizing whether the state’s maritime safety protocols adequately addressed lifejacket usage.

SA coroner urges lifejacket reforms after eight deaths (9News)

The first tragedy involved Paul Eckert, 73, Thomas Eckert, 40, and Alan Bottrill, 71, who perished after their vessel capsized due to a large wave at Buffalo Reef, located 55 kilometers east of Port Lincoln, on March 25, 2024.

Remarkably, Thomas Eckert’s brother, Danny, and his 13-year-old son managed to reach safety on the reef and were rescued the following day.

The coroner highlighted the “comprehensive and well-coordinated” rescue efforts, noting that eyewitnesses confirmed a wave nearly three meters higher than the boat was responsible for the overturning.

On August 14, 2024, the bodies of Kangaroo Island professional fishermen David Neave and Rodney Ingram were found near their overturned boat, off Cape Cassini, hours after the alarm was raised when a thick fog set in.

Mr Whittle found that capsize was “a plausible and likely scenario” that occurred after fog had obstructed landmarks and the vessel may have inadvertently navigated close to a reef “resulting in a wave taking them by surprise”.

In the third incident, fisherman Peter Martin, 77, drowned off Cape Finniss, near Elliston on the Eyre Peninsula on November 30, 2024.

Mr Whittle found that Mr Martin’s boat capsized as he attempted to retrieve a cray pot which was snagged on the sea floor, most likely as a result of an accident while winching the pot rope.

The fourth incident occurred on January 6, 2025 in Rivoli Bay near Beachport, in the state’s South-East.

Victor Kent, 69, and Roger Walker, 82, died after their boat capsized while they were checking cray pots.

None of the people who died in the four incidents were wearing lifejackets.

“While it is not certain whether these deaths would have been prevented, the use of lifejackets would have given each person at the very least a strong chance of survival,” Mr Whittle found.

In most states, including SA, lifejackets must be worn on boats less than 4.8m in length, and at all times by children aged 12 or younger.

A threshold of seven metres would mean 93 per cent of registered boats had a mandatory lifejacket obligation, Mr Whittle said.

He recommended that SA “lead the nation” and make lifejackets mandatory for anyone aboard a powered vessel up to seven metres in length.

For ultimate safety, rescue services and prudent fishermen travelling significant distances from shore should equip their lifejacket with personal locator beacons capable of GPS broadcasting, he said.

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Royal Rift: Harry and Meghan Reportedly Overlooked by Jordanian Royals in Latest Engagement

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February 26, 2026

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Royal Rift: Harry and Meghan Reportedly Overlooked by Jordanian Royals in Latest Engagement

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to have been overlooked by both King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan during their whirlwind tour of the Middle East, which has drawn comparisons to a royal visit.

Touching down in Amman late Tuesday night, Harry and Meghan quickly embarked on a series of humanitarian engagements, visiting multiple charitable organizations. These visits provided numerous photo opportunities, reminiscent of royal duties.

One notable event took place at the British Ambassador’s residence, where they met with World Health Organization representatives and embassy staff. This gathering has faced criticism, with some labeling it ‘entirely inappropriate.’

Today, the couple made their way to a rehabilitation center in Amman. The Duchess of Sussex chose to wear a more accessible fashion choice for the occasion, opting for a £109 jacket from Zara instead of high-end designer labels.

King Abdullah II of Jordan shares a close relationship with the British royal family, particularly with King Charles. The two were seen warmly interacting during an official visit to London last year, underscoring their strong ties.

Their relationship is so close King Abdullah and his wife Queen Rania were special VVIP guests at the coronation and Queen Rania has also had several meetings with Queen Camilla to discuss woman’s issues.

Their son Crown Prince Hussein is also friends with Prince William, spending time together in recent years in Britain and Jordan, from watching the football together to a joint visit to a RAF base.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, who were at a community event in Llanidloes, Wales, together this afternoon, also attended Hussein’s wedding in 2023.

But despite Harry and Meghan being in Amman, a source in Jordan told the Daily Mail: ‘There is no meeting scheduled between the Duke and Duchess [of Sussex] and the Jordanian Royal Family.’

The only member of the Jordanian Royal Family Harry and Meghan met briefly was Princess Basma Bint Talal, an aunt of the current King during a visit to a venture run by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development.

Meghan and Harry wore muted colours on the second and final day of their trip to Jordan

The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today

The Duchess and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the World Central Kitchen this morning

Meanwhile the Prince and Princess of Wales were at a community event in Llanidloes, Wales, this afternoon

Meghan opted for a chic Zara jacket and heels for today’s event

Indeed, King Abdullah appears to have deliberately swerved any public meeting with the California based couple – instead choosing to meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

While in another seemingly apparent rebuff, King Abdullah met the head of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is leading the Duke and Duchess trip to Jordan.

Official photographs showed King Abdullah at talks with the WHO chief as well as a sizeable party of delegates but Meghan and Harry were nowhere to be seen.

This is despite the Sussexes’ own charity Archewell Philanthropies partnering with the WHO.

The King and Crown Prince also met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Amman yesterday.

The current Jordanian king’s late father King Hussein, who died in 1999, was also on excellent terms with Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles highlighted this on a previous visit to Amman in 2013.

He said:’ I feel this friendship in the most personal of ways, as Jordan has always been part of my life.

‘His Majesty King Hussein came to the throne in 1952, the same years as my dear mother, the Queen.

‘They would be of great mutual support to each other through the decades ahead.’

King Abdullah was educated in Britain, served with the British army after graduating from Sandhurst Military Academy.

Another source in Jordan told the Daily Mail: ‘The fact the Duke and Duchess of Sussex haven’t met King Abdullah and been given the traditional royal welcome is glaringly obvious.

‘There has been no red carpet treatment, even though King Abdullah has met officials from the World Health Origination have been behind this visit by the Duke and Duchess

‘It’s well known that King Abdullah and King Charles have a very warm relationship and that was passed down through the friendship between the late Queen Elizabeth and King Abdullah’s father.’

A third royal insider said Harry and Meghan may be disappointed not to have been able to meet the King or Crown Prince of Jordan.

‘It’s a pseudo royal visit, mimicking many of the things they or William and Kate would have done when they were part of the Firm but it seems to be lacking in the ceremonial side of things’, the source said.

Meghan chose high street style over haute couture, wearing a £109 jacket from Zara

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the World Central Kitchen Food

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been on a two-day trip to Jordan (pictured yesterday) but were not scheduled to see the King or Crown Prince

Queen Rania at the Al Husseiniya Palace, in Amman, this week for the arrival of the Albanian President and First Lady

On whether the tensions between the Sussexes and Windsors have played a part, a third source added: ‘William’s certainly close to the Crown Prince.

‘They watched England beat Panama in a World Cup game together on TV in the Crown Prince’s “man cave” in the basement of the King and Queen’s palace in Amman in 2018.

‘William and Kate went to the Crown Prince’s wedding to Rajwa in June 2023. In October last year William and the Crown Prince went on a joint visit to RAF Benson.

‘Charles and the King are also pretty close.

‘Is it a snub? Harry and Meghan have met heads of state or other dignitaries on previous trips so you might expect it on this one’.

But the insider said it may never be known if this was a deliberate snub or a diary clash, for example.

However, Harry and Meghan were met by British diplomats in Amman, it has emerged.

Former Tory minister Tim Loughton, who is vying to be mayor of the couple’s ceremonial county of Sussex in May, told the Daily Mail that it was ‘entirely inappropriate’ that the couple were hosted by the British Ambassador.

He said it was baffling that Phillip Hall had rolled out the red carpet for him at his private residence given the couple claim to be private citizens and have quit royal duties.

Mr Hall had personally thanked the couple for coming to Jordan in his speech at an round table also involving the UN and World Health Organisation.

‘They are not working royals and do not represent the British Government or UK PLC. Given their capacity to say unhelpful things which border on political, giving them an official platform could be construed as them saying something that represents official UK policy’, Mr Loughton told the Daily Mail.

‘It would be legitimate for the embassy to assist on security issues and neutral briefing but not anything that platforms them on what should clearly be seen as a private visit by private individuals’.

King Charles III with King Abdullah II of Jordan at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, as the Jordanian monarch marked the year of his silver jubilee in 2024

Prince William and Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein watch England’s World Cup match against Panama at Beit Al Urdun Palace in Amman on June 25, 2018

One royal insider said that the involvement of the British Ambassador is an ‘intriguing’ part of the trip.

They said: ‘Once again British diplomats are involved. Quite why they have been there to welcome two private individuals is unclear to me.

‘Perhaps there’s frustration at the Foreign Office at the lack of overseas visits by some members of the family and they see this as a chance to get the UK viewpoint over and showcase what Britain is doing in the region’.

Breaking News: UN World Food Program Leader Cindy McCain Steps Down Due to Health Concerns

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February 26, 2026

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Breaking News: UN World Food Program Leader Cindy McCain Steps Down Due to Health Concerns

ROME — In a significant announcement, Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the U.N. World Food Program, revealed her decision to resign from her position in three months to prioritize her health. The announcement, made on Thursday, has sent ripples through the humanitarian community.

McCain, who is 71 and hails from the United States, encountered a mild stroke in October 2025. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, she returned to the World Food Program’s headquarters in Rome early January, ready to take on her responsibilities once more.

The World Food Program acknowledged her swift return to leadership, emphasizing her dedication to managing the organization’s efforts against the numerous hunger crises worldwide. However, the organization noted that the job’s intense demands were beginning to surpass her recovery pace.

“With a heavy heart, I am announcing my intention to step down as the executive director of the World Food Program,” McCain expressed. “Serving this incredible organization has been the honor of a lifetime.”

In her statement, McCain highlighted the World Food Program’s critical role in saving lives, emphasizing their work in the most dangerous, impoverished, and remote areas of the world—places where their presence is most crucial.

She added she had hoped to finish her term and the decision to leave the organization was “one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make.

”But my health has not recovered to a level that allows me to fully serve the enormous demands of this job,” she said.

McCain stressed that “over the past three years, we have delivered life-saving and life-changing assistance for millions of the world’s most vulnerable people — and this unwavering commitment will be more important than ever in the years to come.”

McCain was appointed in March 2023 to lead the world’s largest humanitarian organization for a five-year term. She had previously served as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. agencies for food and agriculture under former President Joe Biden.

The widow of Republican Sen. John McCain, she broke with Republicans when she endorsed Biden for president in 2020, making her a key surrogate for the Democrat after now-President Donald Trump spent years criticizing her husband and his military service.

She has since become the face of the World Food Program, one of the few U.N. agencies that has received bipartisan support for its efforts to help nearly 150 million people confronting conflicts, disasters and impacts of climate change this year.

McCain and the WFP have been in the spotlight as the agency has sought to respond to the humanitarian crises caused by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and Israel’s offensive inside the Gaza Strip.

McCain had succeeded David Beasley, a former South Carolina governor who had led WFP through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the global food crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas Emerges as the Jennifer Lopez of the Streaming Age

Entertainment

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February 26, 2026

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the lead in Prime Video’s latest pirate action thriller The Bluff, has carved a niche for herself in the English-language entertainment space with approximately ten fiction films and two prominent espionage series on American television. Based on these contributions and the reception of films like Love Again and We Can Be Heroes, one might categorize her as a streaming-era luminary—an actor whose work thrives on digital platforms rather than traditional cinemas, as suggested by Love Again‘s box office performance. This portrayal somewhat captures Chopra Jonas’s North American trajectory over recent years. However, it overlooks her extensive career, marked by her status as India’s highest-paid actress, with over 30 film appearances in the past 24 years, excluding her numerous guest roles and special dance appearances.

Chopra Jonas’s presence in both films and television showcases her rare cross-cultural success, a feat few in the Indian film industry achieve. Yet, this journey into the global spotlight can pose challenges, even for seasoned performers. It presents a unique form of modern fame that might sometimes dilute the grandeur of a star, despite her worldwide recognition.

Consider The Bluff, Chopra Jonas’s latest foray into streaming content. It stands as her most significant English-language lead role to date. While she had a notable part in the acclaimed sequel, The Matrix Resurrections, it wasn’t centered around her. In contrast, The Bluff is her stage—a narrative where she embodies a reformed pirate who has settled on a Caribbean island as the fabled “golden age of piracy” fades. But when her past resurfaces, threatening her family, she transforms into an action hero, delivering swift justice to those who intrude on her peace.

Chopra Jonas’s experience from series like Quantico and Citadel—the latter also an Amazon production under the Russo Brothers—seems to have honed her skills for American action films. These narratives often demand intense John Wick-style choreography and a fierce maternal protectiveness when women lead. However, while The Bluff captures her as a formidable action figure, the plot’s focus on her protective instincts over her son and sister-in-law may not fully leverage the excitement one might expect from a pirate’s tale.

Her portrayal in The Bluff exhibits a somewhat calculated range, blending romantic flashbacks, intense action, and emotive moments, while subtly highlighting her physical appeal. This multi-faceted display evokes a sense of being reminiscent of Jennifer Lopez—not only as an ageless and captivating performer but also in choosing roles that accentuate her strengths. Her character, however, seems curiously devoid of guilt for the past’s repercussions on her family, as she excels in every facet of action and emotion. Perhaps it’s time we start dubbing her “Cho-Jo” in homage to her dynamic prowess.

There can be a similar muchness to contemporary Indian cinema, with action, melodrama, romance, crime, drama, and comedy coexisting comfortably. But The Bluff isn’t a maximalist extravaganza; it’s just a silly pirate thriller that takes its star’s branding a little too seriously. It doesn’t help that it’s produced by the Russo Brothers, who have become accidental specialists in streaming fugazi cinema meant to resemble movies you hazily recall enjoying. By those diminished standards, The Bluff is downright terrific. It’s definitely better than anything the Russos have directed for various streamers.

It’s also a better pure showcase for Chopra Jonas than Heads of State, her previous Prime Video movie, where she’s there for a bait-and-switch-and-unswitch operation, appearing to get surprised-killed in the first scene before returning in the second half of the film. Her character isn’t much (she’s Idris Elba’s love interest who also… loves puns?) but she does get to do some fight scenes and grabs the spotlight for one of the best moments in the film, starring in a rapid-fire mini-montage explaining how she survived from her seeming death and made her way back to the narrative.

These Amazon actioners in turn mark a massive improvement from the appalling Love Again, a soppy rom-com so wilted that it made an actress with two decades of experience regress to neophyte levels. With that movie serving as an early American vehicle for Chopra Jonas, is it any wonder that she might choose subsequent projects with a Lopez-style increase in image-burnishing control? It’s probably frustrating that not long after American companies became seemingly more open to the idea of embracing stars from other cultures, the star market in general took an IP-abetted nosedive. Even someone as established as Lopez can’t always tell the difference between good movies, bad movies, and an insane vanity project. This has left the American-cinema version of Priyanka Chopra Jonas as something like a shiny label, floating from product to product, unsure of what exactly to sell.

Jesse Hassenger (@rockmarooned) is a writer living in Brooklyn podcasting at www.sportsalcohol.com. He’s a regular contributor to The A.V. Club, Polygon, and The Guardian, among others.

Stream The Bluff on Prime Video

Driver Allegedly Ran Red Light at 75 mph, Colliding with Pregnant Woman’s Vehicle, Leading to Immediate Labor and Miscarriage: Police Report

Crime

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February 26, 2026

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Driver Allegedly Ran Red Light at 75 mph, Colliding with Pregnant Woman’s Vehicle, Leading to Immediate Labor and Miscarriage: Police Report

Inset: Alexander D. Mendoza being arrested by a Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy (BCSO). Background: The intersection where Mendoza allegedly ran a red light, hitting a pregnant driver (Google Maps).

A 30-year-old Texas man faces charges after allegedly causing the death of an unborn child in a tragic car accident. Authorities say the man ran a red light while under the influence, colliding with a pregnant woman’s vehicle and leading to an early labor.

Alexander Diaz Mendoza was apprehended this week, according to court documents, and is now charged with aggravated assault using a deadly weapon.

The incident, as reported by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, occurred on the night of February 19 at the intersection of Woodlake Parkway and Binz-Engleman Road in San Antonio.

“In this case, the suspect ignored a red light and crashed into another car,” Sheriff Javier Salazar explained in a video shared on the office’s Facebook page. “The car was driven by a pregnant woman. Due to the collision and the injuries she suffered, she went into labor prematurely, resulting in the loss of her baby.”

After securing a warrant on Tuesday, authorities arrested Mendoza. Sheriff Salazar mentioned that Mendoza is employed as a civilian at a nearby military base.

The sheriff said investigators were still waiting on results from “the Intoxilyzer,” a machine that uses infrared light absorption to measure breath alcohol content for evidentiary purposes. If the results show that Mendoza had more than the legally permissible amount of alcohol in his system at the time of the crash, he will likely face an additional charge of intoxication manslaughter in connection with the unborn child’s death.

A probable cause affidavit obtained by San Antonio-based CBS affiliate KENS provided some additional details about the fatal collision.

The document alleges that around 9:30 p.m., Mendoza was driving 75 mph in a 40 mph zone when he ran the red light and caused a crash involving four cars, one of which was driven by the pregnant woman. As a result of the collision, the pregnant driver’s car flipped and landed in a ditch.

Medics rushed the victim to a nearby hospital where she underwent emergency surgery but lost the child.

At the scene, authorities said Mendoza allegedly had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol, and was slurring his words. An open beer bottle with some alcohol still inside was also found on the floor of the front passenger seat, according to the affidavit.

Authorities are holding Mendoza in the Bexar County Detention Center. A judge set his bond at $125,000. He is scheduled to appear in court again before Judge Miguel Najera on May 5, records show.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Shocking Twist: Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ Contender Linked to Devastating Crash Involving NC Politician

Celeb Lifestyle

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February 26, 2026

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Shocking Twist: Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ Contender Linked to Devastating Crash Involving NC Politician

Brad Ledford, who is set to appear on the next season of The Bachelorette featuring Taylor Frankie Paul, has a controversial past involving a serious legal dispute following a car accident that left a politician paralyzed.

The incident occurred in April 2014 when Ledford, now 29, reportedly crashed his vehicle into a concrete barrier, causing it to catch fire instantly, as reported by The U.S. Sun on Wednesday, February 25.

At the time of the accident, Madison Cawthorn, who would later serve as a U.S. representative for North Carolina, was a teenager sitting in the passenger seat.

The crash left Cawthorn partially paralyzed, confining him to a wheelchair.

The report from The U.S. Sun indicates that the two friends were returning from a spring break trip to Florida when Cawthorn accused Ledford of driving his 2007 BMW X3 negligently.

“He was my brother, my best friend,” Cawthorn said of Ledford during a 2017 speech given at Patrick Henry College, per Mother Jones. “He runs to safety deep in the woods and just leaves me in a burning car as the flames start to lick my legs and curl up and burn my left side.”

Ledford denied Cawthorn’s account, telling People in 2021 that he pulled his best friend out of the passenger-side window.

Cawthorn sued Ledford twice over the injuries he sustained from the accident.

The first suit, which ended in 2016 and included Ledford’s parents’ company as defendants, is sealed. However, two years later, Cawthorn sued Ledford again. The U.S. Sun reported that the case concluded in 2022 “with a notice for voluntary dismissal with prejudice, meaning Cawthorn cannot sue Ledford again.”

The Republican politician, who served in Congress from 2021 to 2023, is currently running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives again, this time in Florida.

Bridgerton Season 4 Finale: End Credits Reveal Major Season 5 Star as Production Kicks Off, Confirms Showrunner

US

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February 26, 2026

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Bridgerton Season 4 Finale: End Credits Reveal Major Season 5 Star as Production Kicks Off, Confirms Showrunner

As you prepare to embark on Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 on Netflix today, there’s an exciting revelation you should be aware of. This season wraps up with an exclusive bonus feature not seen before. While previous seasons have concluded with charming teasers hinting at future family additions and unfolding dramas, the end credits of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 deliver something extra special. Expect to see the return of cherished characters, a significant romantic development, and the most substantial hints yet about the lead couple in Season 5.

**Warning: Spoilers ahead for Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 8 “A Dance in the Country,” now available on Netflix**

To start, yes, Bridgerton Season 4 includes a tantalizing post-credits scene you won’t want to miss.

If you find yourself binge-watching all of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 and feeling slightly dissatisfied—as though the full emotional resolution, especially after witnessing Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) court Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), has eluded you—that’s because the season’s high point unfolds just after the initial credits start rolling.

Here’s a breakdown of the Bridgerton Season 4 end credits scene and its implications for what we can expect in Bridgerton Season 5…

Benedict (Luke Thompson) leaning in to kiss Sophie (Yerin Ha) in 'Bridgerton' Season 4 Part 2 — Photo: Netflix

Is There A Surprise End Credits Scene in Bridgerton Season 4?

Yes, there certainly is! Still furious we never got to see Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley) tie the knot? Bridgerton Season 4 doesn’t make that mistake again!

Again — HUGE SPOILERS — but the Bridgerton Season 4 end credits scene is a very special Bridgerton wedding.

Are you sure you’re okay with spoilers?

REALLY?

Okay, the Bridgerton Season 4 post-credits scene depicts Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek’s very sweet, very understated, and very “them” wedding at My Cottage in the countryside. We get to watch Anthony stand in as Benedict’s best man, Sophie’s servant friends sitting alongside Posy (Isabella Wei) on the bride’s side of the assembly, and a very obvious tease for Season 5…

Slanted side-by-side of Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Eloise (Claudia Jessie) in 'Bridgerton' Season 4 Part 2 — Photos: Netflix

Who Will Bridgerton Season 5 Star? Eloise or Francesca?

Netflix has already renewed Bridgerton for Seasons 5 and 6 and showrunner Jess Brownell has already confirmed those seasons will tell Eloise’s (Claudia Jessie) and Francesca’s (Hannah Dodd) stories. However, she’s been mum on what order they’ll come out. The Bridgerton Season 4 end credits scene teases just this, with the family asking which sister will walk down the aisle next.

“You’ll learn really soon [who stars in Bridgerton Season 5], I would say,” Brownell told DECIDER this week. “We want to give fans a moment to really celebrate Yerin and Luke and everything they’ve put into this season, but we are starting production very soon on Season 5 and we tend to make an announcement close to the start of production about who the new leads are. So you should expect that this season as well.”

So far, we’ve seen more of Francesca’s story set up in the show than Eloise’s, but not by much.

In the first part of Francesca’s book, When He Was Wicked, we learn that the quiet Bridgerton girl married the kind John Stirling, Lord Kilmartin (Victor Alli), only for him to die suddenly. Meanwhile, there’s an unspoken attraction between Fran and John’s cousin “Michael.” The show has changed Michael to Michaela (Masali Baduza), opening the door to further explore Francesca’s confusion over her desire and concerns over her chances to one day be a mother.

“I think Michaela is such an interesting character because she definitely brings out a different side of Francesca, which is so fun to play,” Bridgerton star Hannah Dodd told DECIDER when she visited our NYC studio in December 2025. “Francesca doesn’t understand why, but it’s definitely a different sort of response to what she has with John. And I think it’s quite confronting and there’s lots of like tension there.”

In Eloise’s case, her book, To Sir Phillip, With Love, explores how the character finally decided to be pragmatic in choosing a partner. After a distant cousin dies tragically, Eloise’s polite correspondence with the grieving widower grows into a friendship and then an offer of marriage. The thing is, Bridgerton Seasons 1 and 2 already introduced us to Eloise’s future husband in Chris Fulton’s Sir Phillip Crane. However, the fact that Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) uses Lady Whistledown to ruin his first wife, Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker), to prevent her marrying Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) is a wrinkle invented by the Netflix show.

“I think that Eloise’s book, it probably won’t be as faithful as Benedict and Sophie’s, but I think it will be on par with some of the other seasons where we really try to honor the spirit of the book and the narrative arc, and a lot of the set pieces,” Brownell said. “But there may be slight tweaks to the structure or the characters, but not in a major way.”

Still hoping that Eloise will wind up with Season 2 love interest Theo (Calam Lynch)? Don’t get those hopes too high.

“I do think we intend to have her end up with the love interest from her book,” Brownell said.

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