The anticipation for Bridgerton is at an all-time high as Netflix’s wildly successful period drama is gearing up for its highly anticipated fourth season. This time, the spotlight falls on Benedict Bridgerton—portrayed by Luke Thompson—who, after seasons of sideline revelry, is stepping into his own sweeping love story. Once a carefree, art-loving rogue, Benedict now finds himself at the center of a romance brimming with passion, intrigue, and scrutiny.
The big reveal came during Netflix’s Season of Love fan event, presided over by none other than Queen Charlotte herself (Golda Rosheuvel). There, Netflix debuted exclusive first-look images, a tantalizing sneak peek, and fresh details about the upcoming season. If the reveal is any indication, Bridgerton season four is poised to deliver everything fans adore—lavish visuals, exquisitely detailed costumes, and irresistibly smoldering romance.
At its core, Bridgerton is a story of love defying expectations, and season four is no exception, diving into Benedict’s unconventional journey to love that veers sharply from the structured courtships of his siblings. A free-spirited artist, long reluctant to embrace the obligations of marriage, he finds his carefully cultivated independence upended when he meets Sophie Beckett (Yerin Ha)—or Sophie Baek—a woman whose very existence is a carefully guarded secret. Their first encounter, a fleeting yet electrifying moment at a grand masquerade ball—set to unfold in the season’s premiere—ignites a romance as intoxicating as it is forbidden.
Described as “plucky, endlessly resourceful, and wary of trusting others,” Sophie—known to Benedict only as ‘The Lady in Silver’—is a mystery even to herself. Inspired by An Offer from a Gentleman, the third book in Julia Quinn’s beloved series, her story carries echoes of Cinderella: the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat, she has been forced into servitude by a cruel stepmother and bound by a past she cannot outrun. Their love is a collision of longing and defiance, a relationship that not only tests their hearts but challenges the rigid class divides of the Regency era.
For Luke Thompson, stepping into the lead role marks a thrilling challenge. “The scripts that [showrunner] Jess Brownell and her team have come up with are dynamite. They’re really, really exciting,” he told Tudum. “The storyline is a bit of a twist on Cinderella. You remember being told those stories as a child—the magic and the romance of them. It’s thrilling to have that woven into the Bridgerton world.” His co-star, Yerin Ha, echoed that sentiment, drawn to Sophie’s complexity. “What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles—something she constantly has to overcome. Whether it’s navigating social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict.”
While Bridgerton has always thrived on dazzling ballroom spectacles, season four delves deeper, peeling back the layers of high society to reveal its stark duality—those basking in luxury and those toiling behind the scenes to maintain the illusion. This tension adds an intriguing layer to Benedict and Sophie’s love story, highlighting the chasm between their worlds. “What’s striking about season four,” Thompson reflects, “is the struggle between a proper old-school fairy tale—the romance of it—and the actual reality of the world. Both are true. You have to hold both of them—the romance and the reality—in your hand. In its best version, ‘true love’ happens in the middle of that.”
As always, a new season brings fresh faces to the Bridgerton universe. Among the most anticipated additions is Scottish actress Katie Leung, who plays Lady Araminta Gun, a twice-widowed socialite determined to secure powerful matches for her daughters, Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and Posy Li (Isabella Wei). Meanwhile, returning cast members Emma Naomi (who plays Alice Mondrich) and Hugh Sachs (who plays Brimsley) have been promoted to series regulars, promising deeper storylines. And, of course, Bridgerton wouldn’t be Bridgerton without its reigning stars: Simone Ashley, Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, and Julie Andrews are confirmed to reprise their roles.
Beyond its captivating characters, Bridgerton season four boasts an even grander visual backdrop than its predecessors. Filming is well underway at Shepperton Studios, just outside London, where a newly constructed two-acre backlot features sweeping replicas of Georgian and Regency-era architecture—from opulent townhouses to bustling Mayfair streets—immersing audiences deeper into the world of the ton.
With eight episodes slated for release, though Netflix has yet to confirm a premiere date, Bridgerton season four is poised to reignite the fervor that has made the series a cultural phenomenon. But as love blooms, will Benedict and Sophie be strong enough to shatter the barriers of the ton, or will they be forced apart by a society that refuses to bend?
As Lady Whistledown would surely say: dear readers, we shall have to wait and see.
Words by Khushboo Malhotra
Support The Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.