🚨 BREAKING BOMBSHELL from Bridgerton Author: Julia Quinn Just Dropped That FUTURE Seasons Could RECAST These Two Fan-Favorite Characters… The Ton Is PANICKING! 😱💔

The drama never sleeps in the Ton. Click below for the full exclusive quotes from Julia Quinn that have everyone spiraling—you won’t believe her take! 😤🔥

As Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 gears up for its February 26, 2026, premiere on Netflix—bringing more romance between Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha)—a new wave of speculation has swept through the Ton. This time, it’s not about steamy scenes or plot twists, but casting: Could two of the show’s youngest stars be replaced down the line?

In a recent exclusive interview with Us Weekly (published February 2026), series author Julia Quinn directly addressed fan concerns about potential recasting of Hyacinth Bridgerton (Florence Hunt) and Gregory Bridgerton (Will Tilston). The youngest siblings, who have appeared since Season 1 as mischievous children, are set to lead their own stories in the later seasons—likely Seasons 7 and 8—of the planned eight-season run, one for each Bridgerton sibling’s novel.

Quinn, whose books inspired the Shonda Rhimes-produced hit, explained the practical realities of long-term television production. “It takes a few years to film, so by the time we get to Hyacinth and Gregory, the actors are going to be well into their 20s,” she said. “So I think it’ll probably be OK.” She recalled seeing Hunt and Tilston at a recent premiere: “They were both drinking wine… They’re both 18 now and Will was there with his girlfriend.” The comment underscores how much time has passed since the actors, who started at ages 12 and 13, began filming.

The possibility of recasting isn’t hypothetical for Bridgerton. The show has already navigated one high-profile change: Francesca Bridgerton was originally played by Ruby Stokes in Seasons 1 and 2 before Hannah Dodd took over in Season 3, a switch attributed to scheduling and character expansion. Fans have grown accustomed to seeing child actors age on screen, but the leap to adult romantic leads—complete with the series’ signature intimate moments—raises questions about continuity and audience attachment.

Quinn emphasized that final casting decisions rest with showrunner Jess Brownell and Netflix, not her. “I don’t necessarily know how they’re gonna spin it or write it or what they’re going to keep and change,” she noted. Still, her tone was optimistic, suggesting the current actors could handle the transition naturally, much like other long-running series where child stars mature into leading roles (think the Harry Potter cast or Stranger Things ensemble).

Showrunner Brownell has outlined priorities for the immediate future: The next two seasons will focus on Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd), in either order. Eloise’s story, drawn from To Sir Phillip, With Love, involves her eventual romance with Sir Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton, who appeared in Seasons 1-2 and 3). Quinn was asked about Fulton’s potential return but offered no firm details, only noting she doesn’t control those choices.

Hyacinth and Gregory’s books—It’s in His Kiss and On the Way to the Wedding—feature the characters as young adults navigating the marriage mart with wit, schemes, and eventual happy endings. Hyacinth, the sharp-tongued youngest daughter, pairs with Gareth St. Clair in a treasure-hunt romance; Gregory, the romantic idealist, pursues the complicated Lucy Abernathy. These stories demand performers capable of carrying emotional depth and chemistry, which could prompt producers to seek older talent if Hunt and Tilston’s ages or availability don’t align.

Fan reactions have been mixed but passionate. On Reddit’s r/BridgertonNetflix and social media, some insist on keeping Hunt and Tilston for nostalgia: “Florence is the perfect Hy; I hope they don’t recast her!” Others argue recasting makes sense for authenticity: “They HAVE TO recast… they are ADULTS when their stories happen.” The debate echoes broader industry discussions about child-to-adult transitions in long-form TV.

Netflix has committed to adapting all eight Bridgerton novels, with Seasons 5 and beyond still unconfirmed in exact order or release dates. Production timelines mean Hyacinth and Gregory’s seasons could be years away—potentially into the late 2020s or beyond—giving ample time for the current actors to age further or for creative decisions to evolve.

Quinn’s comments come amid other Bridgerton updates. She confirmed no spinoff for Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), despite fan pleas, citing busy schedules and no plans for extended stories. She also teased returns for the couple in Season 4 Part 2.

For now, the focus remains on Benedict and Sophie’s unfolding tale in Season 4, with its masquerade intrigue and emotional stakes. But as the series marches toward its conclusion, the question of recasting Hyacinth and Gregory looms as a potential flashpoint—balancing loyalty to familiar faces with the demands of portraying grown-up romance in the scandal-filled world of the Ton.

Whether Netflix opts for continuity or a fresh start, one thing is clear: In Bridgerton, change is inevitable, but the drama endures.