Dearest gentle reader, a new romance is afoot in “Bridgerton” season 4.
The first four episodes of the new season debuted Thursday. Ahead of their arrival, the show’s cast, including the season’s two romantic leads — Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha as Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek, respectively — spoke with “Good Morning America” about what fans could expect in season 4.
“I think they’re a beautiful, beautiful match,” Golda Rosheuvel, who plays Queen Charlotte, told “GMA” about Benedict and Sophie’s storyline this season. “And it’s interesting as well to open up the class element to their story, to their Cinderella story, and to open what happens, the upstairs, downstairs element in the season.”
She added, “I think that adds to the love affair of who is allowed to be in love in this world.”
Who is Benedict Bridgerton?
For those who aren’t familiar with the Bridgerton family, Benedict is the second son of Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and has historically gone against the grain, following his own path as an artist.
Following the marriages of his oldest brother Anthony in season 2 and his younger brother Colin in season 3, Benedict is portrayed as resistant to settling down. That is, until he meets a mysterious “Lady in Silver” at his mother’s masquerade ball.
“It’s funny isn’t it? Because it was actually sort of like a life designed to avoid love, I think,” Thompson told “GMA.” “And that’s not to say that he was — I think he’s a very warm character, and I think he’s always been someone who wants to give a little bit to everyone, and he’s found a really good way of coping with the world. But like any good coping mechanism, after a few years, it can grow a bit tired.”
He added, “He’s someone who’s lost his dad very young and watched his mom mourn his dad, so you can see why, you know, a loving relationship might look like something pretty terrifying to him, because it’s sort of facing life down, the reality of life and death, square in the face.”
Who is Sophie Baek, aka ‘The Lady in Silver’?
In the trailer, Sophie, a maid, attends the Bridgertons’ masquerade ball in disguise. There, she meets Benedict, but she is forced to leave him mid-dance when the clock strikes midnight.
Fate brings them together again, but it appears that Sophie is hesitant to reveal to Benedict that she was the woman who danced with him at the ball.
When it was announced in September 2024 that Ha would star as Benedict’s love interest, Ha told Tudum that what she loved about Sophie was her “fun, play-like quality” and her story.
“What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles — something that she constantly has to overcome,” she said at the time. “Whether it’s this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict.”
Who joins the cast this season?
Along with Ha, the growing cast includes the actresses who portray Sophie’s stepmother and stepsisters.
“Harry Potter” star Katie Leung joins the cast as Lady Araminta Gun. According to Tudum, Gun is a “twice-married and twice-widowed” woman who has two daughters, Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and Posi Li (Isabella Wei), “debuting on the marriage mart this season.”
“Gun does not respond well when anything — or anyone — threatens her standing in society,” Tudum added.
Eldest daughter Rosamund is described by Tudum as “beautiful, vain, and eager to please her mother.” Her sights are set on Benedict this social season, and like her mother, Rosamund is “determined to get what she wants,” according to Tudum.
Posy, on the other hand, is described as Rosamund’s “younger, kinder sister,” who rarely gets attention from her mother.
When asked about Asian representation this season, Ha praised the world of “Bridgerton” for highlighting different cultures, as it has since season 1.
“I think what’s so great about ‘Bridgerton’ is that there’s no over-explanation as to why these characters are there,” she told “GMA.” “They just exist, which is what our world is. We all co-exist together, and we all share culture, and actually at the end of the day, if you take all the external factors away, we’re all flesh and bone.”
She added, “It’s just so nice to be able to explore that without having to over-explain and exist and breathe life, and actually just tell a love story between two people.”
Which cast members are returning?
Also returning back to the world of “Bridgerton” are Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Bridgerton), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Agatha Danbury), Gemmell (Lady Violet Bridgerton) and Daniel Francis (Lord Marcus Anderson).
Claudia Jessie and Florence Hunt, who portray Eloise and Hyacinth Bridgerton, respectively, will also return for season 4.
What other love stories are explored in season 4?
Dodd returns in season 4 following widespread conversation regarding the direction of her character’s love life after last season. She told “GMA” that for now, Francesca is still figuring out marriage life with husband John Stirling.
She said she would be “grateful” if her storyline, which is rumored to involve a potential relationship with John’s cousin Michaela Stirling, is explored further.
“I’m really proud to be a part of that,” she told “GMA.” “I think this is a show that celebrates all kinds of love.”
Bridgerton family matriarch Violet Bridgerton’s world also expands in season 4 with her love interest, Lord Marcus Anderson, played by Francis. Gemmell said it was “lovely” to see the show recognize love for all ages this season.
“We recognize the fact that our age group is a demographic that is probably quite large in our audience, and so it’s nice to kind of represent them — well, represent us. I mean they’re our age, we’re not dead yet,” she said. “So that’s a lovely thing, and it’s nice to bring a bit of wisdom.”
Francis added, “One of the important things about [Violet and Marcus’] relationship is that, with everything they carry, that you see them explore this in a kind of very vulnerable way, find acceptance and attraction and spark and chemistry and all these kinds of things.”
How to watch the new season
Part 1 of “Bridgerton” season 4 is available to stream now on Netflix, with the first four episodes.
The second part of season 4 — including the remaining four episodes — will arrive on the streamer Feb. 26.
