The wait for Bridgerton Season 4 is almost over, and a new promotional video gives fans their longest look yet at Luke Thompson as the romantic lead. The season will tell the love story of Benedict Bridgerton and his love interest, Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha. Netflix has announced the season will be released in two parts, with Part 1 arriving on January 29, 2026, and Part 2 following on February 26, 2026.
The newly released clip shows a radiant Benedict Bridgerton surrounded by flowers, a clear sign that his character is moving from a reluctant bachelor to a man in love. The video is captioned with a question building excitement for the new social season: “The start of the social season is fast approaching. Mr. Bridgerton, do you believe you are ready?”
Benedict Bridgerton’s Central Love Story
Bridgerton Season 4 officially centers on Benedict, the artistic second-eldest Bridgerton brother. After his brothers Anthony and Colin have found their matches, the new season focuses on Benedict’s journey.
The official plot summary describes his initial reluctance, stating he is “loath to settle down” when the season begins. This changes at his mother’s masquerade ball, where an “enthralling woman captures his attention.” That woman is the mysterious Lady in Silver, who is later revealed to be Sophie, a resourceful maid working for the formidable Lady Araminta Gun.
The core conflict of the season revolves around Benedict’s struggle. He develops a real affection for Sophie the maid while still holding a fantasy for the mysterious Lady in Silver, unaware they are the same person. This storyline is a known adaptation of the third Bridgerton book, An Offer from a Gentleman.
A Classic Tale With a Bridgerton Twist
The producers have confirmed that Benedict and Sophie’s story is a fresh take on a classic fairy tale. In an interview, Luke Thompson shared his excitement about the scripts, noting the season’s compelling dynamic.
“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 really exciting to have that weaved into the world that we know of Bridgerton,” Thompson said.
He further explained the season’s central theme, stating, “What’s striking about season 4 is that it’s 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.”
Introducing New Faces and Returning Favorites
The season introduces several key new characters tied to Sophie’s story. Katie Leung joins the cast as the formidable Lady Araminta Gun, Sophie’s stepmother. Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei play Rosamund Li and Posy Li, Sophie’s stepsisters. Showrunner Jess Brownell described Rosamund as a “marriage mart pro chess player” and her mother’s mini-me, while Posy is “dreamy and often unserious, much to her mother’s disapproval.”
The cast also features many returning fan favorites. Jonathan Bailey (Anthony) and Simone Ashley (Kate) are confirmed to return, with Bailey appearing as a series regular. Nicola Coughlan (Penelope) and Luke Newton (Colin) will also be back as series regulars, continuing their story after season 3. Other returning cast includes Claudia Jessie (Eloise), Ruth Gemmell (Violet), and Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte).
Building the On-Screen Romance
The connection between the two leads, Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha, began off-screen. Ha shared that they first met at a dinner at showrunner Jess Brownell’s home, where Thompson made her feel immediately welcome.
“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.’”
Ha also spoke about what drew her to the role of Sophie, explaining, “What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles — something that she constantly has to overcome. Whether it’s this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict.”
The Road to Season 4
Production for the new season officially began in September 2024 and wrapped up in June 2025. The first official poster was released on September 29, 2025, focusing on Sophie’s masquerade ball ensemble. Netflix officially confirmed the January and February 2026 release dates on October 13, 2025, alongside a teaser clip of Benedict and Sophie’s first meeting.
Fans have eagerly shared their excitement on social media following the first look at the new leads. One fan wrote, “Well, I… am speechless. I thought I was completely obsessed and couldn’t leave S3 but hello Benedict and Sophie.”
Also Read: The Truth About King George’s Illness in ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Queen Charlotte’
Credits: Netflix Tudum
