Benedict Bridgerton fans, our time has finally come.
After the jam-packed finale of Bridgerton season three. members of the Ton undoubtedly had many questions. What happens to Francesca? Does Violet Bridgerton start another epic love story? When will Benedict finally have his moment?
Well, dearest readers, we officially have an answer to the latter, with Netflix confirming that Benedict Bridgerton will be the star sibling of Bridgerton season four.
With an ample amount of cliffhangers to choose from, we’ve got a lot to cover in the lead-up to season four, so keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know.
Will there be a season four of Bridgerton?
Good news Regency romance fanatics! Bridgerton season four is definitely happening, with Netflix confirming in July 2024 that a new season is on the way.
Who is the star of Bridgerton season four?
Benedict girlies – our time has officially come. Sharing the announcement to social media in July 2024, Netflix confirmed that Benedict Bridgerton will be the starring sibling of Bridgerton season four.
Speaking on the upcoming season, actor Luke Thompson told Netflix, “What’s striking about season four is that it’s the struggle between proper old-school fairytale – the romance of it – and the actual reality of the world, and both are true. You have to hold them both.”
“The scripts that Jess 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 really exciting to have that weaved into the world that we know of Bridgerton.”
Prior to confirming the news, Luke previously hinted that he would soon be taking over as leading man. Discussing the heartthrob success stories of his Bridgerton predecessors, Rege-Jean Page and Jonathan Bailey, Luke told Time Out London, “They’re my canaries in the mine showing me how it’s supposed to be done.”
Luke’s portrayal of the Bridgerton fan favourite has already garnered him an eager legion of fans, given Benedict’s free-love attitude to romance.
Despite remaining humble on whether he would be a sex symbol when the time comes (“Don’t count your chickens,” he said) the actor didn’t appear phased by his steamier scenes on the show.
“My body happens to be Benedict’s body,” he said. “As long as I’m playing a part, people are fantasising about his body, not mine.”
While we don’t yet know exactly how his story will pan out, in the final episode of season three, Benedict and Eloise made mention of an upcoming masquerade ball which, if you’ve read Benedict’s dedicated novel An Offer from a Gentleman, you will know is the venue of Benedict’s first meeting with his love interest, Sophie Beckett.
Who will play Sophie Beckett in Bridgerton?
In exciting news for members of the Ton, we now know who will be starring alongside Luke Thompson as the franchise’s newest leading lady.
Announcing the news in August 2024, sources speaking to Variety revealed that Australian actress Yerin Ha will be joining the cast of Bridgerton as Sophie Baek.
While she may be a newcomer to the Bridgerton universe, the 29-year-old is no stranger to TV blockbusters – starring in Halo and the upcoming Dune spin-off series, Dune: Prophecy.
Discussing her filming preparations, Yerin told Netflix’s Tudum that her experience so far had been “playful, freeing, [and] therapeutic”
“I remember Luke stood there with arms wide open just ready for an embrace. That was the moment I was like, ‘Ah, okay, I don’t need to stress about these little things now. I can just genuinely focus on the on-screen connection with him.”
The actress also teased what fans can expect for the upcoming season, sharing, “I get really excited by how many unexpected twists you’ll get in season four. A big one I’m sure I can mention is the masquerade ball.”
What happens in Benedict Bridgerton’s love story?
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
If you’re keen for a little insight into the love life of this artsy man with a penchant for hallucinogenic tea, his novel is called An Offer From a Gentleman and follows his relationship with Sophie.
Following the release of season three, some eagle-eyed fans have already spotted a sneaky hint of how Sophie and Benedict will be introduced to one another on-screen.
Sharing a behind-the-scenes snap to Instagram, a Bridgerton wig artist revealed that Lady Cowper’s name first name is Araminta – better known in the books as the step-mother of Benedict’s love interest.
While the details surrounding his season are still vague, in her novel, Julia Quinn went full “Cinderella”, introducing readers to Sophie – the illegitimate daughter of an Earl, who was left to work as a servant for his wife and her daughters when he passed away.
She sneaks out of the house one night and attends a masquerade ball at the Bridgerton’s place, meeting Benedict and falling head over heels. Who wants to bet he has all the detective skills of Chad Michael Murray in A Cinderella Story when it comes to identifying her? If you know, you know.
Years pass and the pair finally cross paths again when Benedict visits her new workplace. Realising she’s in a dodgy situation, he “rescues” her to come and work at his family home.
They fall for each other – duh – but due to that whole Regency-era society thing, they’re not considered a good match and can’t tie the knot.
A good way of summing it up thereafter would be: chaos ensues, love triumphs, we love Benedict and Sophie. You can buy the book here.
Who is Luke Thompson, AKA Benedict Bridgerton?
Luke Thompson is a 35-year-old British actor, best known for his role as Benedict Bridgerton in the Netflix romance series, Bridgerton.
He’s a trained actor, having studied at the University of Bristol and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Interestingly, Thompson spent eight years of his youth in France.
He is known around London for his stage roles, which include productions A Little Life and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
His turn in Bridgerton may have scored him a role in upcoming Netflix mini-series, Transatlantic.
While some might interpret Thompson’s theatre fame and string of Shakespearean roles as being more ‘serious’ than Benedict Bridgerton, Thompson has been quick to defend the romantic genre.
“I think misogyny has played a large part [in the misinterpretation of the romance genre]. It’s often labelled as over-the-top or silly. And I think: Take a look at sci-fi. That’s f—ing stupid too,” he told Time Out London.
Outside the world of The Ton, Luke is also rumoured to be in a relationship with his Bridgerton co-star Harriet Cains, who portrays Phillippa Featherington.
When will season four of Bridgerton be released?
After basking in the friends-to-lovers glory of Colin and Penelope’s love story, fans can’t wait to indulge in another eight episodes of Bridgerton’s trademark Regency-era romances.
Sadly for us, it appears that there will be an extended wait between Bridgerton season three and season four, with showrunner Jess Brownwell revealing that the new series will not hit our screens until at least 2026.
“We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language,” Jess told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Writing takes a very long time as well, so we’re kind of on a two-year pace. We’re trying to speed up but somewhere in that range.”
While audiences may have an extended wait for Benedict’s season, in good news, Netflix has confirmed that production on the fourth season of Bridgerton commenced in September 2024.
