Why the new baby announcement from Bridgerton has turned into a controversial move from Netflix ahead of Season 4’s release.
Ahead of the Season 4 release, Bridgerton has found itself at the center of renewed controversy following a baby announcement. Taking to Instagram, the series announced Lord Elliot Featherington, the son of Colin and Penelope.
On the surface, the announcement appeared as another update from the ever-expanding Bridgerton universe. However, Elliot is not the first child born to a Bridgerton sibling. Daphne and Anthony both welcomed children in previous seasons, yet neither of those births received a standalone announcement or promotional spotlight.
The difference lies in race. Daphne and Anthony’s children are half Black and half brown, born to interracial couples, while Elliot’s parents are both white. For a show long praised for its inclusive casting and progressive reimagining of Regency-era society, the selective promotion has raised uncomfortable questions.
What’s the point of branding Bridgerton as a diverse series if characters of color, and even their children, are treated as disposable, while white characters receive preferential visibility?
Jess Brownell Teases Big Season for Penelope and Colin
Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell recently teased what the new season of the Netflix series could hold for Colin and Penelope. “Penelope and Colin are definitely back for more,” she told TV Line, adding that the upcoming season will be a major one for both characters.
It’s a big season for Penelope, actually, because she finally came out as Lady Whistledown, so she’s having to navigate what it’s like being a gossip columnist when the people you’re writing about know you’re the one writing about them.
“Colin is there to support her,” she continued, adding, “But it’s going to put pressure on each of them for sure.” The showrunner also hinted that romance remains very much alive for the fan-favorite couple, adding, “You may or may not find them in yet another carriage.”
Season 3 of Bridgerton centered on Colin and Penelope’s long-awaited romance, culminating in Penelope’s Whistledown reveal. The couple is now set to return in Season 4 alongside their son, Elliot Featherington.
Bridgerton Showrunner Calls Season 4 the Easiest to Adapt
Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell has described the upcoming Season 4 as the “easiest book to adapt” so far. “It lent itself really closely to television structure for a love story,” Jess Brownell told Entertainment Weekly, before adding,
There are just a lot of rich set pieces that gave us juicy conflict and high stakes. I think fans will be happy to see quite a few of the set pieces from the book in the show.
Season 4 of the Netflix series will be based on the third book from Julia Quinn’s book series, An Offer from a Gentleman. The season will center on Benedict Bridgerton, who falls head over heels for a mysterious and dazzling Lady in Silver, portrayed by Yerin Ha.
Netflix has already released a first look at the new season, teasing a romance between Benedict and Sophie. Season 4 will be released in two parts, with Part 1 premiering on January 29, 2026, followed by Part 2 on February 26, 2026.
What do you think about Bridgerton’s decision to announce Colin and Elliot’s baby ahead of the new season? Share your thoughts with us.
Bridgerton Season 4 is set to premiere on January 29, 2026. All the previous seasons are streaming on Netflix.
