Now that we’ve all had ample time to process our Polin feelings after Bridgerton season three, it’s time to start wondering: When does Bridgerton season four come out?
Everybody hang on to your feelings, because another Bridgerton sibling is about to fall in love. Here is everything we know about Bridgerton season four, including when it comes out, what the storylines will be, who the key players are, and more.
Netflix officially announced that season four of Bridgerton will focus on Benedict, played by Luke Thompson. The Julia Quinn book that focused on Benedict, An Offer From a Gentleman, is a Cinderella story in which Benedict falls in love with a lowborn woman named Sophie, whom he meets in disguise at a masquerade ball.
Per the series’s logline, “Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down—until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother’s masquerade ball.”
When we left Benedict in season three, he had just ended a situationship of sorts with Lady Tilley Arnold. Memorably, Tilley had introduced Benedict to her friend Paul, and the three became lovers—though not without some hesitation on Benedict’s part. By the finale, Benedict and his sister Eloise bonded over feeling uncertain about their paths in life.
It’s still unclear if or how Benedict’s budding bisexuality will play out in the season, though Variety reports that showrunner Jess Brownell described season four as the “most faithful” adaptation of Quinn’s novels so far. According to fans, Benedict is not overtly homosexual in An Offer From a Gentleman. Variety reports that season four will, however, delve more into Regency-era class divides, leaning into “the fairytale and forbidden love tropes.”
When does Bridgerton season four come out?
While we don’t have an exact date, on May 14, 2025, Variety reported that season four is slated for a 2026 release. In the same story, it was reported that Netflix had ordered seasons five and six of the show as well.
“We’re 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,” showrunner Jess Brownell told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2024. “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.”
A two-year pace means it could be a very, very long time before seasons five and six are released. As for the anticipated seasons seven and eight? Nothing is yet confirmed, but if things keep moving at this rate, the series won’t see an ending before 2030.
Who is returning from the main cast?
Of course, Thompson will return. Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington), confirmed to The Wrap that she and Luke Newton, who plays Colin, will return for the fourth season. “They’ve told us we’re back for season four, which is super lovely…. It’ll be exciting,” Coughlan said. “[We’ll] pop back and have some fun for sure.” You can catch a glimpse of the new parents, below.
In fact, most of the main cast is back, including Victor Alli (Lord John Stirling), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Julie Andrews (the voice of Lady Whistledown), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Varley), Masali Baduza (Michaela Stirling), Hannah Dodd (Francesca Stirling), Daniel Francis (Lord Marcus Anderson), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton), Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich), Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington), Emma Naomi (Alice Mondrich), and Hugh Sachs (Brimsley).
As for Kate and Anthony’s potential return? Brownell told Glamour that she has “some really exciting thoughts for them both in season four, and we’re working on it,” but that nothing was confirmed: “There is hope to have them back as much as we are able to make happen.”
By August 2024, however, Jonathan Bailey had confirmed his return on Good Morning America. “The thing about Bridgerton, which is so brilliant, is that there are so many different ways that you can fall in love as humans, and that’s what the show will explore and, obviously, being the older brother, I’m gonna be there to support the youngsters as we go,” he said. Simone Ashley will also return as Kate Sharma, per Variety.
Who plays Sophie?
On September 11, Netflix announced that Dune: Prophecy and Halo star Yerin Ha had been cast as Sophie Baek.
“Sophie Baek has been forced to spend much of her life working as a maid for the most demanding employer in the ton,” the press release says. “But the resourceful Sophie always finds a way to persevere through her circumstances—which will drastically change after she disguises herself to attend Violet Bridgerton’s masquerade ball and meets Benedict Bridgerton.”
On February 14 (yes, Valentine’s Day), Ha and Thompson made their red-carpet debut at a Season of Love–themed Bridgerton event—and their off-screen chemistry is pretty palpable. For better or worse, fans are bound to ship the pair IRL (it’s just what happens); just remember that Thompson is rumored to be dating another Bridgerton costar, Harriet Cains.
What about footage?
As a second Valentine’s Day treat, Netflix released a teaser video of a stunning masquerade ball—and a pretty mystifying introduction to our new leading lady.
