Fans of the Ton received an unexpected update straight from the source, as Netflix’s own social media account accidentally revealed when they can next return to the world of Bridgerton. The streaming service inadvertently confirmed the two-part release schedule for the show’s highly anticipated fourth season.
The Accidental Reveal
The news came from an official, but perhaps over-eager, source. Netflix Netherlands posted a new promotional poster for Bridgerton Season 4 on its Instagram account. The poster, which featured Benedict Bridgerton and his love interest Sophie Baek in their masquerade ball attire, contained the key information fans had been waiting for. Although the post was swiftly deleted, it was not before sharp-eyed viewers captured the details.
The leaked poster confirmed that Season 4 will be split into two parts, following the same release strategy used for the previous season. According to the image, the first part of the new season is scheduled to arrive on January 29, 2026. The second part will then follow a month later, premiering on February 26, 2026.
Benedict’s Long-Awaited Love Story
Season 4 will finally turn the spotlight on Benedict Bridgerton, the family’s artistic and bohemian second son. The season will adapt the storyline from Julia Quinn’s novel An Offer from a Gentleman, which is a creative twist on the classic “Cinderella” fairy tale.
The official synopsis for the new season reveals: “The fourth season of Bridgerton turns its focus to bohemian second son Benedict (Luke Thompson). Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down — until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother’s masquerade ball.” While Benedict only knows her as the mysterious Lady in Silver, she is actually Sophie Baek, a resourceful maid with her own secrets and dreams, played by Yerin Ha.
Lead actor Luke Thompson has expressed his excitement about the scripts, stating:
“The scripts that Jess [Brownell] and her team have come up with are dynamite. They’re really, really, really exciting. The storyline is a bit of a twist on ‘Cinderella.’… It’s such a great story, but it’s also, I hope, really relatable.”
Building the Central Romance
The chemistry between the two leads appears to be a key focus. Yerin Ha, the newcomer playing Sophie, shared a positive experience from her first meeting with co-star Luke Thompson. She recalled, “I remember Luke stood there with arms wide open, just ready for an embrace. 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.’”
Thompson also highlighted the unique tone of the new season, describing it as a struggle “between a proper old-school fairy tale — the romance of it — and the actual reality of the world.” He noted that the show will pull back the curtain on the aristocratic households, introducing the people who keep them running.
New and Returning Faces
As with every season, new characters will be introduced to the Ton. The Li family will make their debut, consisting of:
- Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung): A twice-widowed mother determined to secure good matches for her daughters.
- Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao): Araminta’s beautiful and vain eldest daughter, who sets her sights on Benedict.
- Posy Li (Isabella Wei): Rosamund’s kinder and more dreamy younger sister.
Fans will also be pleased to see the continued mending of the friendship between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie). Showrunner Jess Brownell confirmed, “They’re more bonded than ever! Their trials and tribulations last season have added new depth to their friendship, and we’re excited for viewers to see how their relationship looks now that they’ve each grown up a little.” Additionally, Simone Ashley will return as Kate Bridgerton.
Fan Reaction and What to Expect
The accidental leak immediately sparked excitement and discussion among fans on social media. While many celebrated finally having concrete dates, others voiced mixed feelings about the split-season format, which requires a month-long wait between the first and second halves of the story. This release strategy is one Netflix continues to employ for its biggest shows, including Bridgerton, Wednesday, and Stranger Things, to build sustained buzz.
With filming having wrapped in June 2025, marketing for the new season is expected to ramp up in the coming months. An official trailer is anticipated to be released soon, potentially in October 2025, which should offer the first full glimpse of Benedict and Sophie’s romance and confirm the leaked release dates.
Also Read: Bridgerton Season 4 First Poster Reveals Yerin Ha as the Lady in Silver
Credits: The Direct, Whats-on-Netflix, Netflix Tudum
