After a long wait, Bridgerton is finally back on Netflix after an absence of 18 months. With the action now focusing on the complicated romance between Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), how has the fourth season fared with critics?
The latest iteration of the period romance drama, which is based on Julia Quinn’s 2001 novel An Offer from a Gentleman, sees Benedict be pressured to find a wife to keep the prestige of his family name going.
His life is changed, however, when he meets the Lady in Silver at a masked dance, and becomes obsessed with discovering her identity. Unbeknownst to him, the figure behind the mask is maid Sophie, and he strikes up a bond unaware that they are one and the same.
After the first four episodes of the eight-part season were released on Thursday, the fourth season looks to be a hit with critics so far, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reporting an impressive approval rating of 83% from 36 reviews.
Viewers can be rest assured that the first half of Sophie and Benedict’s love story is on the right track. In fact, we’re sure you’ll be just as desperate as us to find out how they will bounce back from that startlingly frank cliffhanger.”
Sydney Morning Herald
“What elevates this season, however, is its crack at class politics. Forget the dress, Cinderella is about workers’ rights and the abuse of servants (Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo, pay me a fair wage etc).”
The Guardian
“Though previously resistant to Bridgerton’s charms, I am now forced to concede that its puddingy mix of clunking soap and fairytale wish-fulfilment is … watchable. If not, indeed, quite difficult to resist. Curses.”
Vulture
“Bridgerton’s fourth season, by comparison, does something that should be rudimentary and yet in the context of this show is remarkable: Its minor plots are thematically relevant to the main story.”
Time Magazine
“Bridgerton remains an enjoyable romance. I just wish it had the courage to, as Benedict so self-righteously puts it, chart a more venturesome course – and give its hero a chance to do the same.”
USA Today
“Season four could have been an open door to something new, even though the writers were hampered with less than ideal source material. Instead, it’s tiresome and slow-going between rare moments of real heat and intrigue.”
Bridgerton season 4 part 1 is streaming on Netflix now, with part 2 set to be released on 26 February.
