Bridgerton’s fourth season may not arrive on Netflix for some time, but it’s never too early to fantasize about favorite book moments being translated to the screen, specifically the iconic masquerade ball.
Season 4 leads Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha have already begun to tease fans with the adaptation with recently released social videos. And while their onscreen love story as Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek is plucked from the pages of Julia Quinn’s An Offer From a Gentleman, it’s clear that some reworking will have to be done following the show’s departure from book order.
Still, there are plenty of elements we are eager to see in Season 4. Below, we’re breaking down seven book moments from the masquerade ball that we hope make it to the screen.
1. Sophie’s Transformation
Sure, this moment may occur before the actual ball itself, but when it comes to a makeover moment, Sophie’s transformation from an unappreciated servant to a masquerade princess is more than worthy of screen time. We got a taste of this with Penelope’s (Nicola Coughlan) makeover in Season 3, but considering Sophie’s day-to-day life is more akin to the downstairs side of Ton society, we can only imagine Sophie’s masquerade glow-up will set the tone for the magical event.
2. Benedict’s Run-in With Violet
If Violet (Ruth Gemmell) isn’t calling out her kids, is it Bridgerton? In the book, Benedict (Thompson) shows up at the masquerade ball and is quickly called out by his mother, who asks him to dance with the Featheringtons. He is apprehensive about the request, but we can easily picture this scene playing out even if the Featheringtons aren’t involved. Perhaps she’ll push some debutantes and their mamas in his direction. The potential scenario certainly speaks to Benedict’s biggest Season 3 fear, and considering it’s supposed to be Violet’s party, the ball feels like a situation where Benedict can’t really say no.
3. Sophie’s Unbridled Joy
Considering Sophie has never attended a ball due to her illegitimacy, she’s overjoyed to be in attendance at the masquerade ball. Sophie’s excitement is so palpable that it draws Benedict in. An excited and exuberant Sophie feels like a requirement for the show, especially since Benedict’s bubbly personality would bounce off of it so well.
4. The Dance Lesson
Moments after making Sophie’s acquaintance in the book, Benedict learns his mystery Lady in Silver cannot dance. Sophie agrees to join Benedict on the private terrace for a lesson, and it is at this moment that the pair really begin to make a connection. And, of course, Benedict’s dancing instruction makes way for some sparks that will be vital to their romance going forward. This masquerade moment from the book isn’t merely a want—it is a need.
5. Investigator Benedict
Since Sophie’s presence at the masquerade ball is supposed to be a secret, she refuses to disclose her identity to Benedict. This avoidance doesn’t stop Benedict from using his wit to try and uncover clues with clever questions. Like a mental game of chess, Benedict makes some progress at chipping away at the true identity of his Lady in Silver, but she has plenty of safeguards up as well. It would be fun to see this kind of banter play out in the show as Sophie and Benedict find themselves on the private terrace.
6. Gloves
During Benedict and Sophie’s dance lesson in the book, they get closer as feelings of desire begin to take over. In a pretty scandalous moment, they remove each other’s gloves so they may connect hand-to-hand without a barrier. It may be a small detail, but it speaks to Sophie’s swaying judgment about her growing feelings for Benedict and the promises she’s made herself regarding romance and not wanting to repeat the mistakes of her parents.
7. Sophie’s Encounter With Another Bridgerton
In the book, Sophie meets Benedict’s brother Colin (Luke Newton) when he interrupts a moment between the duo. Considering Colin’s interruption stems from being annoyed about having to take over a dance with Penelope that Benedict was supposed to take, we can imagine that such a moment in the show would have to change. Still, we’d love to see Sophie meet one of the other Bridgertons at the ball, especially considering that seeing Benedict and Colin side-by-side is what tips Sophie off into knowing which sibling she’s been talking to.
What moment from the book do you want to see included in Bridgerton Season 4’s masquerade ball? Let us know in the comments section, and stay tuned for updates on the forthcoming chapter as it takes shape at Netflix.
Bridgerton, Season 4 Premiere, TBA, Netflix
