“Bridgerton” released the first part of its fourth season on Jan. 29, containing four episodes, and continuing the series’ blend of scandal, romance and mystery.
The second part of the season is set to release on Feb. 26, and fans are eagerly anticipating the premiere.
“I was really excited for the fourth season to come out, because I get to see and hear more stories,” said Zoe Norris, a sophomore at Carlmont High School.
The season primarily focuses on Benedict, the second-oldest of the eight Bridgerton children. He pursues a mysterious woman whom he met and danced with at a ball. He eventually discovers that she is a maid, and, as a man of high social status, this creates conflict.
“I like how it ended on a cliffhanger, where I am very much looking forward to Feb. 26, when they release the second half of the season,” said Allison Caplan, a global director of marketing at Apple.
The show’s strategic cliffhangers keep fans coming back after each episode, but another reason fans love it so much is its Regency-era setting. According to Refinery, the show takes place in early 19th-century England, where the marriage market and social events like balls were central in the lives of young women.
Historically, it’s really interesting to be able to put yourself into that time and see how these aspects and literary themes carry through different time periods. You will see similar stories like love triangles in a more modern setting, and it’s exciting to see it in older times. — Eloise Waight
“Historically, it’s really interesting to be able to put yourself into that time and see how these aspects and literary themes carry through different time periods. You will see similar stories like love triangles in a more modern setting, and it’s exciting to see it in older times,” said Eloise Waight, a sophomore at Carlmont.
The interest in timeless themes is one of the factors that helped the show grow to international success. “Bridgerton” began as a period romance based on Julia Quinn’s popular novels. Its complex storylines and love tropes have viewers, especially teenagers, wanting more.
“A lot of people like romances our age, and throughout the show, each story is a different kind of plot. It’s fascinating for our demographic because you see all of these stories combined into one at the same time,” Norris said.
While viewers love the show, its positive reviews extend beyond the fan base, as each season has received strong critical acclaim.
According to Variety, when the fourth season debuted, it reached 39.7 million views in the first four days, making it the most-watched title on Netflix that week.
This success isn’t simply a coincidence. With its elaborate dresses, tiaras, grand dance scenes and vibrant color palettes, the show transports viewers into a world that feels like an escape from reality.
“Viewers like that it’s fanciful. The costumes are very appealing. The dramatic dresses are things you don’t see all the time. It’s light-hearted, and you don’t have to do a lot of thinking while you’re watching it, which is nice, given a lot of the heaviness of what’s going on in the world,” Caplan said.
