Bridgerton season 4 is rapidly approaching, but Netflix is making a big change to Sophie Baek. Based on the character Sophie Beckett from An Offer from a Gentleman, the adapted female lead played by Yerin Ha will be Benedict Bridgerton’s (Luke Thompson) love interest in the fourth installment of Netflix’s steamiest romance.
Sophie and Benedict have a classic Cinderella story set in Bridgerton’s Regency era, under the reign of Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). The premise may seem deceptively simple, but the iconic period drama will update the 2001 novel and modernize the story for television, split across two four-episode releases in January and February 2026. One major change, however, is surprisingly subtle.
In Bridgerton Season 4’s Trailer, Sophie Is An Active Participant In Her Cinderella Transformation
She’s More Involved In The Masquerade Ball Scheme
As revealed by the trailer for Bridgerton season 4, Sophie Baek will actively take part in her secret trip to the Bridgerton masquerade ball. After ranting to her fellow workers about how step-mother Araminta (Katie Leung) and step-sisters Rosamund (Michelle Mao) and Posy (Isabella Wei) won’t appreciate the splendor, Sophie begins plotting her undercover mission, emphasizing her necessary disguise.
The short clip is already a vast departure from the book, which saw Sophie incredulous at the whim of her fellow staff. In the novel, Sophie was reluctant to go to the ball and relied on her fairy godmother equivalent to oversee the makeover. With a much more fiery spirit, Bridgerton’s take on Sophie could have an intriguing ripple effect.
Why Bridgerton Season 4’s Sophie Change Is Exactly What The Series Needs
Sophie Was A Passive Player In An Offer From A Gentleman
If her enthusiasm for attending the ball is any indication of her character’s confidence and overall agency, Sophie’s role in Bridgerton season 4 will be much more dynamic than her book counterpart. Throughout An Offer from a Gentleman, Sophie Beckett was incredibly passive. Often, it felt like major scenes were simply happening to her rather than truly involving her.
Bridgerton can still keep her reserved demeanor and appeasing nature— especially when necessary, like around her evil step-mother— but it’s imperative that Netflix makes Sophie’s character more well-rounded in the show. There’s no place for damsels in distress in a 2026 romance, and Bridgerton knows better than to resort to shallow stereotypes.
How Making Sophie More Autonomous Will Improve Bridgerton Season 4’s Romance
She And Benedict Have Always Been A Fan-Favorite Pair
Since the breakout hit first premiered on Netflix in 2020, Benedict has been one of the most beloved characters in the eponymous family. As such, Benedict Bridgerton’s romance has been a highly anticipated plot. The television adaptation has already taken creative liberties, like making Benedict canonically bisexual in season 3, and his one true love deserves to enjoy similar freedoms.
If her character has more grit and free will, Sophie could add some much-needed nuance to Bridgerton’s most straightforward story. Furthermore, allowing Sophie to break free from her fragility and helplessness will make her and Benedict a more even match. There’s still time for Bridgerton season 4 to fumble its female lead, but the trailer should leave viewers cautiously optimistic.
