The wait for the next chapter in the world of the ton now has an official calendar. Netflix confirmed Bridgerton Season 4 will premiere in two parts on January 29 and February 26, 2026. This new season shifts focus to the artistic and bohemian Benedict Bridgerton, with his Cinderella-inspired romance finally coming to the screen.
The Central Love Story
Season 4 tells the love story of Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek. The narrative follows Benedict, the family’s second-eldest son, who has been reluctant to settle down despite his siblings’ marital bliss. His perspective changes at his mother’s famed masquerade ball, where he encounters a captivating “Lady in Silver” and is instantly smitten.
Unbeknownst to him, the object of his affection is Sophie Baek, a resourceful maid working for a formidable lady of the ton. The season’s core conflict revolves around Benedict’s search for the mysterious woman from the ball, unaware that the elegant Lady in Silver and the maid Sophie are the same person.
Luke Thompson, who plays Benedict, described the storyline as “a bit of a twist on Cinderella.” He expressed excitement about weaving the magic and romance of a classic fairy tale into the established world of the show, hoping the result would feel both grand and relatable.
Yerin Ha, who joins the cast as Sophie, shared what drew her to the character. “What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles — something that she constantly has to overcome,” she said. “Whether it’s this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict.”
New Faces in the Ton
The upcoming season introduces several new characters who will stir up the social season. Katie Leung joins the cast as Lady Araminta Gun, a twice-widowed matriarch described as fabulous, discerning, and blunt. She is focused on securing advantageous marriages for her two daughters, who are making their debut.
Her daughters are Rosamund Li, played by Michelle Mao, and Posy Li, played by Isabella Wei. Showrunner Jess Brownell provided insight into their personalities, noting that while Rosamund has become her “mother’s mini-me” and a “marriage mart pro,” Posy is “dreamy and often unserious,” which draws her mother’s disapproval.
Returning Favorites
The new season will see the return of many beloved characters from the Bridgerton family and beyond. Confirmed returning cast members include:
- Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton
- Simone Ashley as Kate Bridgerton
- Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton
- Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
- Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton
- Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton
- Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
- Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
- Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown
Additional returning characters include Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd), Hyacinth Bridgerton (Florence Hunt), Gregory Bridgerton (Will Tilston), and John Stirling (Victor Alli).
Release Schedule and Streaming
Netflix will release Season 4 in two parts, a strategy the streamer also used for the show’s third season. Part 1, consisting of four episodes, will debut on January 29, 2026. Part 2, with the final four episodes, will follow on February 26, 2026. The entire season will be available for streaming exclusively on Netflix.
The series is produced by Shondaland, with Jess Brownell serving as showrunner. Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, and Tom Verica are executive producers.
The Story Behind the Season
The fourth season is based on “An Offer from a Gentleman,” the third book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series. The show’s narrative will follow the book’s general premise of a masquerade ball and a forbidden romance across social classes, while likely making adjustments for its television adaptation.
The chemistry between the leads has been a focus during production. Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha first met at a dinner at the showrunner’s home, an encounter Ha described as putting her at ease. “I remember Luke stood there with arms wide open, just ready for an embrace,” Ha recalled. “That was the moment I was like, ‘Ah, OK, I don’t need to stress about these little things now. I can just genuinely focus on the on-screen connection with him.’”
The show has also made a thoughtful change from the source material. The character, named Sophie Beckett in the books, has been given the Korean surname Baek for the series. Yerin Ha shared that this decision was empowering, making the role feel like a better fit for her.
“To make Sophie’s name fit someone who looks like me is really empowering,” Yerin Ha said. “It’s a really nice way for me to feel like the role is fit for me, rather than me having to fit a certain mold.”
Fans got their first proper look at the new season during Netflix’s “Season of Love” fan event in February 2025, which featured a clip of Benedict and Sophie’s meet-cute at the masquerade ball. The show officially began production in September 2024, filming at the newly constructed backlots of Shepperton Studios outside London.
Also Read: Bridgerton Season 4: Meet Yerin Ha’s Sophie Baek, Benedict’s Mysterious New Love
