The wait for Bridgerton Season 4 has a clear focus: the love story of Benedict Bridgerton and his captivating love interest, Sophie Baek. The new season, scheduled to arrive in two parts, will finally adapt the fan-favorite Cinderella-inspired romance from Julia Quinn’s novels. Australian actress Yerin Ha has been cast in the pivotal role, bringing a new layer of diversity and intrigue to the ton.
The Central Love Story
Bridgerton Season 4 will focus on Benedict Bridgerton, the family’s artistic and bohemian second son, played by Luke Thompson. After watching his older brothers find love, Benedict’s own story begins at a masquerade ball hosted by his mother, Violet Bridgerton. It is there that he meets a mysterious woman known only as the Lady in Silver and is instantly captivated. Their enchanting evening is cut short when she disappears at midnight, leaving him with nothing but a glove and a determination to find her.
The object of his affection is Sophie Baek, a resourceful and determined woman working as a maid for a formidable family in the ton. Her life as a servant is a far cry from the glittering world of the Bridgertons, and she must navigate the vast social divide that separates her from Benedict. The season will explore whether their connection can survive the constraints of their very different realities.
“What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles — something that she constantly has to overcome,” Ha said. “Whether it’s this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict.”
A Beloved Character Comes to Life
For fans of the book series, Sophie is a cherished character. Her story, drawn from the third novel, An Offer From a Gentleman, is a modern and grown-up take on the Cinderella fairy tale. In the book, she is known as Sophie Beckett, the unacknowledged daughter of an earl. After his death, she is forced to work as a servant for her stepmother and stepsisters. Despite her circumstances, she is known for her strong values, resilience, and kindness.
A key reason readers connect with Sophie is her unwavering principles. In the story, Benedict offers her a life as his mistress, a common arrangement for the era given their class differences. However, Sophie refuses to compromise her self-worth, even for the man she loves.
“The fact that she’s like, ‘No, I’m not going to settle for that,’ is pretty admirable,” one fan of the books noted. “It’s this very adult theme of choosing what’s right for yourself.”
A Meaningful Adaptation for a New Star
In a meaningful change from the source material, the show has adapted the character to honor the actress portraying her. While the character is Sophie Beckett in Julia Quinn’s books, the Netflix series has changed her surname to Sophie Baek. Showrunner Jess Brownell worked with Yerin Ha to choose a Korean surname that starts with ‘B,’ seamlessly integrating Ha’s heritage into the role.
“A name is the first bit of identity that you share with the world, and that’s why changing a name can be so powerful,” Ha explained. “To make Sophie’s name fit someone who looks like me is really empowering.”
This makes Ha the first East Asian actor to play a main romantic lead in the series, continuing Bridgerton’s tradition of diverse casting. Ha has described the experience of joining the cast as “nerve-wracking,” but said her new co-stars made her feel instantly welcome. Claudia Jessie, who plays Eloise, even gifted her a crocheted bookmark, while other cast members reached out to offer support before they had even met.
New Faces and Key Relationships
The new season introduces several characters central to Sophie’s world. Katie Leung plays the formidable Lady Araminta Gun, Sophie’s employer, who is determined to see her own daughters married well. Those daughters are Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao), who is vain and eager to please her mother, and Posy Li (Isabella Wei), her kinder younger sister.
The dynamic between Sophie and Benedict will be the core of the season. The actors have worked closely to build their characters’ chemistry, including through dance rehearsals. Luke Thompson confirmed they have been practicing their steps together, joking that he’s only stepped on Ha’s toes once.
“The dancing is like an extension of their emotions, and a way for them to connect,” Ha said of their rehearsals.
Thompson has praised the new scripts, calling them “dynamite” and expressing excitement about bringing the “twist on Cinderella” to life. He described the central struggle of the season as the clash between a “proper old-school fairy tale” and the “actual reality of the world,” suggesting that true love must be found somewhere in the middle.
Fan Excitement and Release Plans
The announcement of Yerin Ha’s casting was met with widespread celebration from fans online. Many expressed their long-held excitement to finally see Benedict and Sophie’s story, often referred to by the couple nickname “Benophie,” play out on screen. The positive response highlighted how Ha embodies the spirit of the beloved character.
Netflix will release the season in two parts, a strategy it also used for Season 3. Part 1 of Bridgerton Season 4 will be released on January 29, 2026. Part 2 will follow on February 26, 2026. While this release pattern has drawn some criticism from fans who prefer to binge the entire season at once, it ensures that the buzz and conversation around Benedict and Sophie’s romance will extend for nearly a month.
Also Read: How Accurate Are Bridgerton’s Costumes? The Real Fashion Truth Behind the Fantasy
Credits: Netflix Tudum
