Dearest gentle reader, Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) is the new eligible bachelor in town in Bridgerton's fourth season, and the "most notorious" one as well. This chapter of the popular regency era romantic drama opens with Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) advising Benedict to take a wife soon, while announcing works for her masquerade ball. As the who's who of royalty assemble at the Bridgerton residence, Benedict is smitten by Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). The twist is, Sophie is a working class woman employed in his house.
Netflix's first trailer of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 promises to explore their romantic relationship as Benedict struggles to trace the face behind his love interest. "The Lady in the Silver gown" as she is termed as, makes a brief appearance at the ball before anyone spots her identity and makes a hasty exit at midnight, leaving behind her single hand glove. A classic Cinderella story, Benedict is now left yearning for his lady love and looks across town for her. Benedict’s sister Eloise (Claudia Jessie), also helps him search for her. But when finding her identity comes closer than before, controversy and scandal don’t seem so far away.
The new season also continues the story of Nicola Coughlan as Penelope and Luke Newton as Colin as they navigate marital life. They now have a baby named Elliot. Her gossip column continues to be active as well. Meanwhile Violet's simmering romance for Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) brews further this season. We also see glimpses of Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd)'s marital life with Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli).
The upcoming chapter also introduces new faces including Katie Leung, Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei, expanding the ensemble further. The fourth season is adapted from Julia Quinn's books of the same name where the fourth one is based on An Offer From a Gentleman.
Showrunner Jess Brownell recently explained how Bridgerton Season 4 will explore class dynamics between Benedict’s privileged position as an esteemed Bridgerton member and Sophie's life as a maid, a working woman within the ton, bringing a "totally new sensibility" to the much-popular show. She pointed out how Benedict lives in a "fantasy world" while Sophie faces and "lives in a harsher reality". "The idea is that, for each of them, neither of those stations are where they need to live in order to find true love," she added.
Several familiar faces will return to the series, including Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh, Julie Andrews voicing Lady Whistledown and Polly Walker, among others. The returning cast also features Emma Naomi, Hugh Sachs, Florence Hunt, Will Tilston, Martins Imhangbe, Masali Baduza, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Michelle Mao.
Like the previous seasons, Bridgerton Season 4 will also arrive in two instalments. The first part will debut on January 29, 2026, with the second half scheduled to drop on February 26, 2026.