When it comes to the world of period romance, few shows have captured the public’s imagination quite like Bridgerton. The release of Season 4, now streaming on Netflix, has only intensified that fascination—thanks in no small part to the captivating love story between Sophie Baek, played by Australian actress Yerin Ha, and Benedict Bridgerton, portrayed by Luke Thompson. But as fans swoon over the steamy bathtub scene that’s become the talk of the internet, what really went on behind the scenes? According to interviews with ELLE, The Post, and other outlets, the reality was far less glamorous—and a lot more slippery—than viewers might imagine.
On February 27, 2026, Yerin Ha opened up about her experience filming that now-iconic bathtub sequence. As she told The Post, “Because I was working with Luke and he’s already been on the show… I felt like he was my obvious support system, and I was seeing him pretty much every day. I guess I kind of leaned on him, just as a pillar throughout this whole journey.” That sense of camaraderie proved essential when the day of the shoot arrived. Originally, the plan was to film the scene as scheduled, but fate intervened: Luke Thompson tested positive for influenza that morning, forcing a last-minute rescheduling. Once the pair finally made it to the set, it was anything but smooth sailing—or soaking.
Ha described the technical challenges to ELLE with a laugh: “That was a long bathtub, and Luke really had to grip me tight with his legs because I was about to drown.” Thompson echoed the sentiment in a separate conversation with Refinery29, saying, “She kept floating down the river. We had to sort of brace a little bit.” The reason? The crew kept adding a milky substance to the water for visual effect, which made the tub so slippery that Ha and Thompson likened themselves to “two seals.” Changing positions underwater was no easy feat either. Ha recalled, “And then when I had to turn around, I was like, ‘How am I going to turn around without sliding off?’” Despite the awkwardness, she admitted, “Because of those things, it actually made it a lot more fun, to be honest with you. We had a good laugh.”
Yet, the humor didn’t erase the discomfort entirely. The scene, which took a whopping six hours to film, left Ha with a skin reaction the following day. As she shared on Capital Breakfast, “There’s a scene where we are in a bathtub and basically I put baby powder all on me because I was told it would help dry my skin to put the intimacy wear on with my tape. And then basically the next day after the bathtub, I got hives all over my body, and I got folliculitis, so I needed steroid cream! But I blame myself, because I think it was a combination of baby powder and the bath water. So it’s me, I’m a sensitive gal!”
While the finished product may look effortlessly passionate, Ha was quick to remind fans that “it might not be as glamorous as it looks.” She explained to ELLE that intimate scenes are far more choreographed and technical than most people realize. The production brought in intimacy coordinator Elizabeth Talbot to ensure the comfort and safety of the actors, a standard practice for the series’ famously steamy moments. Ha and Thompson’s ability to communicate openly—about nerves, boundaries, and the sheer silliness of filming such scenes with a crew standing nearby—helped them navigate the experience. “We can just clock it, without even saying anything,” Ha told The Post, emphasizing the mutual trust and understanding they developed on set.
Of course, the bathtub scene is just one highlight in a season brimming with drama, romance, and social commentary. Season 4 of Bridgerton centers on the Cinderella-like romance between Sophie, a maid of lower social standing, and Benedict, a member of the aristocratic Bridgerton family. The show explores the obstacles posed by class differences in 1800s England, a theme Ha found particularly meaningful. “It’s the first time we’ve opened the downstairs world and touched upon class disparity,” she told ELLE. “So what does it mean when society tells you you should or shouldn’t be with someone? What does love look like in that circumstance? It just brings the obstacle more to the surface and more to the forefront than before, even though we’re not touching upon privileged love. We’re talking about love from two divided worlds.”
Ha, who’s been swept up in a whirlwind of press engagements and red-carpet appearances since the season’s debut, credits Thompson for helping her stay grounded. “Luke and I just relied on each other and we just checked in with each other to see what we needed,” she said. The pair’s friendship extended off-set as well, with Ha revealing that they frequently exchanged voice messages to support one another through the intense demands of the promotional tour. Despite her exhaustion from jet lag—having flown from London to Los Angeles for the premiere and the Actor Awards—Ha made time for fans, media, and industry events, including the Actors Rising celebration in the Hollywood Hills.
Ha’s star continues to rise beyond Bridgerton. She was recently named ambassador for the 2026 Actor Awards, which will take place on March 1, 2026. The honor, previously held by the likes of Yara Shahidi and Alexandra Daddario, is a testament to her growing influence in the industry. “When I heard that I was going to be the ambassador, it was such a big honor,” Ha said. “Especially with the Actor Awards, it’s truly a ceremony for the actors and to be recognized for my work and to be put in this position is such an honor and a privilege.” She’s excited to use the platform to connect with other actors, particularly fellow Asian creatives, and to celebrate the craft of performance.
Meanwhile, the future of Bridgerton remains bright. Netflix has already renewed the series for fifth and sixth seasons, with speculation swirling about which Bridgerton sibling will take center stage next. Ha is staying tight-lipped about her possible return, saying only, “I hope so!” when asked about Season 5. She admitted she doesn’t know what the next chapter will hold, as scripts are still being written and she’s focused on savoring the success of Season 4. The season’s finale also teased a new Lady Whistledown, but Ha confessed she’s as much in the dark as viewers: “I don’t know. I’m surprised too. I have no clue. Who knows? Maybe it’s a Sir Whistledown. I was thinking that too. Maybe it’s drag. I don’t know.”
For Ha, the most rewarding moments have come from the connections she’s made—on set, with fans, and within her own family. She shared a touching story about her grandmother, also an actress, who binge-watched the new season despite vision loss in one eye. “She said that she cried and she was like, ‘Love you,’ and that she’s proud of me, which is very, very sweet,” Ha recalled.
As Bridgerton continues to enchant audiences worldwide, it’s clear that the magic of the show lies not only in its sumptuous costumes and passionate romances but in the real, sometimes messy, always human stories of the people who bring it to life.