If someone asked you what the most popular show of the summer of 2024 was – you would probably say Bridgerton. With record-breaking viewerships and steaming plotlines, Bridgerton has been gripping the world. As shooting for Season 4 of Bridgerton begins, there are various questions that arise about the lead of Season 4 – Benedict Brdigerton. Played by the supremely talented Luke Thompson, Benedict Brigerton will be the first queer lead character in the Bridgerton show, and fans are already excited to watch his story come to life. Based on Julia Quinn’s novel – An Offer From A Gentleman, Bridgerton Season 4 introduces us to Benedict’s love interest – Sophie Baek (played by Yerin Ha) and follows the actor’s journey after realizing and accepting his pansexual identity. As we eagerly await more leaked pictures, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans of Bridgerton Season 4, here is everything you need to know about Benedict Bridgerton, His sexual identity and what the story entails.
Benedict’s Sexuality
One of the most defining plot points of Bridgerton TV Show has been the ease with which they balance the modern plot points with the period set up. While the actors all wore time-appropriate attire, the show completely erased the racial discrimination that actually existed in the era. So we have a Black Duke of Hastings and an Indian Viscountess, Kate Bridgeton. Ever since season 1, the show did not shy away from showing queerness as an integral part of society. Whether it was Benedict witnessing the queer couples frolicking around in Season 1, at Henry Granville’s party or in Season 2, when he was in art school. Benedict has always been shown to grapple with his own emotions and sexuality until season 3. Luke Thompson’s Benedict finally found a place to explore his sexuality and understand where he stands.
Is Benedict Bridgerton Gay?
While the Bridgerton books(published in the early 2000s) did not explicitly state Benedict’s sexuality, the showrunners Jess Brownwell and Luke Thompson confirmed that Benedict is pansexual. As David in Schitt’s Creek explained – pansexuals are people who are attracted to other humans based on their characters and traits, irrespective of if they are men, women or trans. Benedict realized this attraction when he entered a Throple in Bridgerton Season 3 with Lady Tiley Arnold and her dear friend Paul.
Benedict Bridgerton Love Interest
Coming to season 4, many people were questioning whether the makers would change the storyline completely. However, the leaked pictures from the sets, as well as the casting, confirm that Benedict’s love interest in season 4 will be Sophie Baek (Beckett in the books) – a bastard daughter of an Earl of Penwood – Richard Gunningworth. It will be interesting to witness the journey of this love story as it conveys a very important message that many often forget – that queer people can be in a relationship with the opposite sex, and it is still a queer relationship.
Benedict is not the only character in the show that will be a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Season 3 also teased us with Francesca’s story, where they introduced the romantic lead of her second chance love story – Michael Sterling – as a woman (Michaela Sterling, played by Masali Baduza). Fans have also been speculating on the sexual orientation of Eloise and where the showmakers would take her journey. While Bridgerton Season 4 has already started filming, it is only expected to be released in 2026 – giving fans a long time to wait, speculate and theorise.
