Nicola Coughlan, star of “Bridgerton,” offered fans a glimpse of what’s in store for the fourth season of the popular series during an interview with “Good Morning America” at the 2024 Time 100 Next Gala in New York City.
Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, shared that her character is now “happily married” to Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). “It’s very fun to be playing a happily married person with a very cute baby,” she said. “It feels like they went through all their strife last time. Now, they just get to be in love and enjoy the best time together.”
The show has focused on different Bridgerton siblings each season, with season 3 spotlighting Colin and Penelope’s friends-to-lovers journey and Penelope’s reveal as the mysterious Lady Whistledown. Season 4, however, will follow the story of Colin’s brother Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), whose love interest, Sophie Baek, will be portrayed by Yerin Ha. “They’re hard at work as our leads this time,” Coughlan said. “They’re doing an amazing job.”
In addition to Benedict’s romance, season 4 will expand on the love life of Bridgerton sibling Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Fans got hints in season 3 about a potential relationship with a woman, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). Coughlan expressed excitement for the storyline, saying, “As a cast, we’ve been really craving a queer storyline, and that representation is so, so important. Hannah and Masali are going to do an incredible job.”
The adjustment in Francesca’s storyline, which differs from Julia Quinn’s sixth Bridgerton novel, “When He Was Wicked,” received mixed reactions from fans. However, Quinn addressed the shift in June, expressing confidence in the show’s direction. “It will be the most emotional and heart-wrenching story of the show,” Quinn stated, noting that the book has always been the series’ “true tear-jerker.”
Coughlan added her admiration for the show’s inclusive storytelling. “I love ‘Bridgerton’ because it tells all different types of love stories,” she said. “Everyone should feel represented in it.”
