The Featherington household has seen plenty of drama over the years, with housekeeper Mrs. Varley always at the center of it, helping Lady Portia with schemes and secrets. But things look very different now in Season 4. With all three Featherington daughters married and living elsewhere, the big house on the block feels empty. So where does that leave the loyal housekeeper? New details about Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 confirm that Mrs. Varley is not only back, but she is also taking her talents to a new address—right next door to the Bridgertons.
Mrs. Varley Is Back and Working for Someone New
Yes, Lorraine Ashbourne is back as the stern-faced, always-knowing Mrs. Varley in the new episodes. But fans who have watched Part 1 already noticed she is not just dusting the Featherington drawing-room anymore. In a recent interview, actress Katie Leung, who plays the new villainess Lady Araminta Gun, confirmed that Mrs. Varley has switched households .
After the dramatic events at the end of Part 1, Araminta and her daughters, Rosamund and Posy, have moved out of their country estate and into a house on Grosvenor Square. Where exactly? Just a few doors down from the Bridgertons. And who is running the show in that new household? None other than Mrs. Varley.
Leung described the new work relationship as hilarious, even if it spells more trouble for Sophie. “Things can only get worse when Varley’s around, but the dynamic between her and Araminta is just hilarious,” Leung told reporters . She praised Ashbourne for her comedic timing, pointing out that seeing the very strict Mrs. Varley working for the very strict Araminta creates a funny contrast. Both women are stern and serious, so watching them try to out-serious each other is going to bring some much-needed laughs to the tense storyline.
Why Did Mrs. Varley Leave the Featheringtons?
This move makes perfect sense when you look at where the Featherington family stands now. In previous seasons, Mrs. Varley was always by Portia Featherington’s side, helping forge letters, hide secrets, and manage the chaotic household. But Season 4 finds Portia (Polly Walker) in a very different situation.
Her daughters are all married. Prudence is with the Finches, Philippa is settled, and Penelope is now a Bridgerton. There is no big scandal to manage at home, and no husband to scheme against. The Featherington house is quiet. So, Mrs. Varley, being the skilled professional she is, likely sought employment elsewhere—or was “loaned out” to the new family in town.
In the world of “Bridgerton,” servants often move between households, and Mrs. Varley’s reputation as a capable housekeeper would make her a top choice for someone like Araminta, who is new to the area and needs to establish her home quickly. This shift also keeps a beloved character on screen without forcing her to stand around in an empty house.
What Mrs. Varley’s Move Means for Sophie
This is the important part for fans worried about Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). As viewers saw in Part 1, Sophie used to work for Araminta, and it was a horrible experience. Now, Sophie is living in hiding, trying to stay away from her evil stepmother. But with Mrs. Varley now working for Araminta, the danger level goes up.
Mrs. Varley knows everyone. She knows the servants, the tradespeople, and the layout of the ton. If anyone can spot Sophie hiding in plain sight or overhear gossip about where she might be, it is Mrs. Varley. Katie Leung described the upcoming episodes as a “cat-and-mouse game” where both women are trying to find each other . Having Mrs. Varley on Araminta’s side gives the stepmother a huge advantage. She now has a local expert who knows all the gossip and all the hiding spots in Mayfair.
The Penwood Family Moves to Grosvenor Square
The relocation of the Penwood family (Araminta’s household) is a major plot point for Part 2. In the first part, Araminta made it clear she would destroy Sophie if she ever showed her face in high society again. Now that they are living so close to the Bridgertons—and by extension, close to where Sophie is secretly getting closer to Benedict—the tension is set to boil over.
This setup is classic “Bridgerton.” It takes a Cinderella story and puts the evil stepmother right next door to the prince’s house. Sophie cannot avoid Araminta forever, especially now that she is catching the eye of Benedict Bridgerton. With Mrs. Varley now part of Araminta’s staff, the chances of Sophie being discovered are higher than ever.
Other Drama in Part 2: Polin and Lady Featherington
While Mrs. Varley is busy at her new job, the Featherington family drama continues at the Bridgerton breakfast table. In a new sneak peek for Part 2, viewers get to see Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton) having breakfast with Lady Featherington .
Portia is, as always, desperate for gossip. She pressures Penelope about the subjects of her latest Lady Whistledown papers, specifically wanting to know if the mysterious couple she wrote about is Mr. Hiscox and his mistress. Penelope refuses to name names, saying she is tired of everyone in the ton trying to control what she writes. Colin, ever the supportive husband, holds Penelope’s hand and defends her writing. This scene shows that even though Penelope is married and living in Bridgerton House, her mother is still trying to manipulate her—a reminder that some family dynamics never change, even if the housekeeper has moved out.
Release Date and Streaming Info for Part 2
For those waiting to see exactly how Mrs. Varley settles into her new role and whether she helps Araminta find Sophie, the wait is almost over. Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 premiered on Thursday(yesterday), February 26, 2026, on Netflix .
The final four episodes of the season will be available to stream globally at the same time. For viewers in the United States, the episodes typically drop at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time. For audiences in the United Kingdom, that means waking up on February 27 very early in the morning. In Canada, it aligns with US release times. In Australia and India, viewers can expect the episodes to be available on the morning of February 27 due to the time difference.
The second half of the season will focus on Benedict finally realizing that Sophie is his Lady in Silver, dealing with the fallout of his “offer” to her, and facing the wrath of Araminta and her new housekeeper, Mrs. Varley. Given the teasers showing a very steamy bath scene between Benedict and Sophie, Part 2 promises to deliver the romance and tension fans have been waiting for .
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So, as the Featherington house grows quiet, Mrs. Varley proves that a good housekeeper is always in demand, and her move to the Penwood household sets the stage for some of the most intense confrontations of the season. Be sure to watch Part 2 starting February 26 only on Netflix to see if Sophie can escape the watchful eye of her mother’s new, very capable ally.
