Bridgerton Season Four Returns With New Romance

The world of Regency-era London is about to be set abuzz once more as "Bridgerton" returns for its highly anticipated fourth season. The Netflix sensation, known for its opulent costumes, candlelit ballrooms, and the ever-watchful Lady Whistledown, is back with a fresh love story and a cast brimming with both familiar faces and intriguing newcomers. As the countdown to the January 29, 2026, premiere ticks away, fans and newcomers alike have plenty to look forward to—from the lush drama onscreen to the candid advice and behind-the-scenes stories shared by the cast themselves.

This season, as reported by ELLE and USA Today, the spotlight shifts to Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson. Benedict, the second Bridgerton son, has long been the family’s free spirit, more interested in art and bohemian pursuits than the matchmaking rituals of the ton. But everything changes when he meets the mysterious Lady in Silver at his mother’s masquerade ball. The twist? The Lady in Silver is actually Sophie Baek, portrayed by Yerin Ha, a resourceful maid whose reality stands in stark contrast to Benedict’s privileged world.

Showrunner Jess Brownell, in a recent interview with Netflix’s Tudum, offered insight into the dynamic at the heart of the new season. "Benedict lives in a fantasy world. Sophie lives in a hard reality," she explained. "You have two characters who are at opposite ends of a pole, and rather than either of them needing to get all the way to the other side, they both need to travel to the middle... Between fantasy and reality, true love lies in the middle — neither one creates the circumstances for romance to bloom. You have to embrace a little bit of both."

The fourth season, based on Julia Quinn’s novel An Offer from a Gentleman, will be released in two parts: the first four episodes drop on January 29, 2026, with the remaining four following on February 26, 2026, according to USA Today and other outlets. This split release echoes the strategy used for other Netflix hits like "Stranger Things," and it’s sure to keep viewers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Bridgerton saga.

Of course, one of the enduring charms of "Bridgerton" is its ensemble cast. This season, fans will be delighted to see the return of beloved characters: Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, and Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, among others. Phoebe Dynevor, known for her role as Daphne Bridgerton, has also been highlighted for her wisdom and candor about the acting process.

But there’s no shortage of new faces ready to make their mark. Katie Leung, familiar to many as Cho Chang from the Harry Potter franchise, joins the cast as Lady Araminta Gun, a formidable widow with two daughters. Michelle Mao steps into the role of Rosamund Li, Araminta’s ambitious eldest daughter, while Isabella Wei plays her younger, more compassionate sister Posy Li. And, of course, Yerin Ha’s Sophie Baek is set to become one of the season’s most talked-about characters. Born in Sydney to South Korean parents, Ha brings depth and freshness to the role of the enigmatic Lady in Silver.

Behind the scenes, the cast’s camaraderie and approach to their craft have become almost as legendary as the show itself. In a series of interviews, the actors shared their best advice for aspiring performers, drawing from their experiences on set. Jonathan Bailey advised, "You start with your own instincts, and then you share with others in the room in real time. You academically approach text, then you emotionally explore it. Then you physically put it on its feet." Nicola Coughlan emphasized the importance of making bold choices: "Always make a choice. You’re never gonna know whether you’re making the right one, but you might as well just try and then you can rein it back."

Phoebe Dynevor, reflecting on the inevitable ups and downs of an acting career, said, "There’s so many peaks and troughs, there’s so much rejection, and to be able to be an actor and have really thick skin and also be able to emote is quite a difficult thing to do. I think when things started changing for me, it was [when I began thinking that] I’m not gonna go in and beg for a job. I just started going in and thinking: I’m just gonna give you what I think is right and either you like it or you don’t."

Martins Imhangbe, who plays Will Mondrich, encouraged actors to "fall in love with the process, because the outcome will take care of itself. The journey is the reward." Meanwhile, Luke Thompson offered a more philosophical take: "When I stop thinking that I can be the individual who has the answer, that my own inner life in some way is either the problem or the solution—in short, when the psychodrama is put aside and I stop focusing on the unsolvable problem of being myself, something else begins to happen: I’m able to stretch out of myself, able to play around with the problem in front of me and let the problem play with me, and then move on. And it all becomes a little easier—and a lot more interesting."

Building chemistry, especially in a show filled with romantic entanglements and intricate dance sequences, is no small feat. Phoebe Dynevor noted, "We had to do so many dances throughout the show, so a lot of our time was spent rehearsing the amazing sequences. It really helped form chemistry. There’s definitely something to be said for having a dancing partner and trusting each other and having to create something together which then really informs the performance." Luke Thompson added, "Performing feels to me like an exchange more than anything else. It’s a spell that falls in the space between people. Like tuning a radio, it comes and goes."

Jonathan Bailey, who has become a fan favorite for his portrayal of Anthony Bridgerton, recently pulled back the curtain on the realities of filming some of the show’s most talked-about scenes. In an interview with the Mirror, he admitted, "I know the sex scenes look glamorous but on set with cameras, 10s of people, intimacy co-ordinators and everything else it actually feels a bit silly. It’s incredibly hard not to laugh." He went on to say, "I know the sex scenes have been a hot topic, but as a cast we get more excited by scenes which require in-depth emotions. I’m not a fan of, ‘Lets get our kit off because we have a scene to film'."

Bailey also teased what’s in store for viewers in the new season. At the 2025 TIME100 Next gala, he described the first episode as "phenomenal," telling TIME editor Olivia-Anne Cleary, "There’s one shot that happens quite early on in the episode that will blow the fans’ minds. It takes everyone on a journey to new parts of the household. Oh no, I've just said too much."

With its blend of romance, wit, and visual splendor, "Bridgerton" season four promises to deliver everything fans have come to love—and perhaps a few surprises along the way. As the cast’s advice and anecdotes reveal, the world of the ton may be filled with drama and intrigue, but it’s the passion, discipline, and camaraderie behind the scenes that truly bring it to life. All eyes will be on Netflix as the new season unfolds, and if the cast’s enthusiasm is any indication, viewers are in for a dazzling ride.