It’s all change in the Ton as Bridgerton season 4 announces a new leading man for its latest outing, complete with a new love story that’s itching to be told.
Based on the Bridgerton book series by author Julia Quinn, Netflix’s glamorous period drama has only recently wrapped its two-part third season. In it, audiences were treated to a fairytale ending for Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, a duo whose romance had been bubbling away for some time.
With Bridgerton season 4, the search for true love is set to continue — this time with a new Bridgerton sibling leading the way. Intrigued? You don’t need to wait for Lady Whistledown to spill the tea to find out all the juice gossip. Here’s everything we know so far about the show’s future.
When is Bridgerton season 4 being released?
Bridgerton season 4 doesn’t have a release date yet, what we do know is that it’ll take almost two years to return as showrunner Jess Brownell revealed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
“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,” Brownell said.
“And the 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.”
It’s true. Despite knowing some exciting details about what’s in store, we still don’t know exactly when new episodes will arrive. Confirmation of a fourth season landed in July 2024 so it’ll likely be late 2025 or early 2026 before we can return to the Ton.
Is there a trailer for Bridgerton season 4?
While we don’t have an official Bridgerton season 4 trailer, Netflix has released a video revealing the show’s new central figure, Benedict Bridgerton.
This 55-second teaser will have to keep us all entertained until cameras on Bridgerton season 4 start to roll and an official trailer is released.
What is the plot for Bridgerton season 4?
As mentioned above, Benedict Bridgerton will take centre stage in Bridgerton season 4 with audiences having recently watched his sibling, Colin Bridgerton, pair off with Penelope Featherington in the show’s previous series.
Described as the Bridgerton family’s “bohemian second son” and someone who isn’t exactly keen on settling down, new episodes will follow his quest to track down a mysterious figure known only as the Lady in Silver who he meets at a masquerade ball. The story is based on Julia Quinn’s book An Offer From a Gentleman, which sees Benedict fall in love with Sophie Beckett, a woman who has fallen from grace and is treated like a servant by her step-mother and her daughters.
Having appeared in the show’s previous three seasons as a rather wild presence, season 4 will see the character finally decide to look for something more long-term. That’s not to say the storylines of other key characters won’t continue.
Having ended season 3 as a happily married couple, Penelope and Colin will be back to continue their lives together in Bridgerton season 4. So will Francesca and John Stirling, two newlyweds whose future risks being upended by the arrival of the latter’s cousin Michaela Stirling.
Readers of Quinn’s books will notice that this role has been genderswapped, with Michael becoming Michaela. The tweak also changes the direction of the series somewhat, with the scene set for Francesca and Michaela to embark on a queer romance in future episodes when Francesca becomes the lead.
Who will star in Bridgerton season 4?
Luke Thompson will reprise his role as Benedict Bridgerton, the show’s new central figure, with Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton also set to return as Penelope and Colin.
“He’s a charming man who’s trying to find his way,” executive producer Shonda Rhimes told Netflix of Benedict. “He’s very delightful and funny. I’m excited for everybody to watch him.”
While the identity of Benedict’s new love interest — the mysterious Lady in Silver — will no doubt be known to die-hard Bridgerton fans, the lady behind the mask, Sophie Beckett, remains to be cast.
Hannah Dodd will be back as Francesca Stirling, continuing the role she inherited from Ruby Stokes in season 3, with Victor Alli also back as her on-screen husband John. Meanwhile, Masali Baduza will star as Michaela following her brief appearance during the last season’s finale.
Ruth Gemmell’s Violet Bridgerton and Claudia Jessie’s Eloise Bridgerton are also expected to be back, each with new dramas awaiting them.
While Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley recently told People that they hope to be able to reprise their roles as Viscount Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma, their presence isn’t guaranteed at this stage.
