The Ton is abuzz as the highly anticipated fourth season of "Bridgerton" is set to grace screens in early 2026, with the first four episodes premiering on January 29 and the remaining four on February 26. This season will focus on Benedict Bridgerton's quest for love, promising a blend of fairytale romance and stark reality.
Luke Thompson reprises his role as Benedict Bridgerton, now taking center stage. Yerin Ha joins the cast as Sophie Baek, Benedict's love interest, in a "Cinderella"-esque storyline. Their paths first cross at a masquerade ball, where Sophie captures Benedict's attention as a mysterious lady in silver. The story takes a turn when Sophie becomes a maid in the Bridgerton household, leading to a tangled web of hidden identities and societal expectations.
Thompson shared his excitement about exploring the complexities of Benedict's character, hinting at the "struggle between a proper old-school fairy tale—the romance of it—and the actual reality of the world". Ha expressed her nervousness and excitement about bringing Sophie's story to life, emphasizing the privilege she feels in portraying a character whose journey differs from the previous leading ladies.
Showrunner Jess Brownell notes that season 4 will delve into Benedict's personal dimension, exploring his emotional complexity. Brownell also shared that the season would explore the class divide, a "totally new sensibility" for Bridgerton. "Benedict very much lives in a fantasy world. Sophie very much lives in a harsher reality," she explained.
Several familiar faces will return, including Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington. Simone Ashley, who plays Kate Sharma, will also be back. However, some characters, such as Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) and Prudence Featherington (Bessie Carter), will not be returning.
New additions to the cast include Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun, Sophie's stepmother. Michelle Mao will play Rosamund Li, and Isabella Wei will play Posy Li, Lady Gun's daughters. Susan Brown is expected to join as Mrs. Crabtree, a character central to Benedict and Sophie's story.
The creative team emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in "Bridgerton," with Ha noting that the show proves "more people can be represented". Thompson added that romance is often an "unlooked at genre" and that "Bridgerton" has allowed it to be taken more seriously.
Filming for season 4 wrapped in May 2025. A teaser trailer has already been released, offering a glimpse into the masquerade ball and the budding romance between Benedict and Sophie.
