What Can Fans Expect from Benedict’s Season in ‘Bridgerton’?

Bridgerton is finally granting fans Benedict(ion).

Netflix announced that season 4 of the hit series will focus on Benedict (Luke Thompson) as its leading man, taking inspiration from Julia Quinn’s novel, An Offer From a Gentleman.

This season appears to channel a Cinderella storyline where Benedict Bridgerton meets a mysterious lady in silver at his mother’s masquerade ball and instantly falls for her.

Benedict doesn’t know that the masked woman is Sophie Beckett, his new housemaid, who he has helped escape from the cruelty of her stepmother and stepsisters. His search for this mysterious lady becomes more complex as Sophie’s familiar face and undeniable attractiveness draw him in.

Details on season 4 are still sparse, but Netflix’s synopsis mentions a “Lady in Silver” whom Benedict meets at the masquerade ball. This aligns with Sophie’s character and costume in the novel, although it’s not confirmed if she will remain Benedict’s maid, a role that may introduce a complicated power dynamic.

Reports of a Bridgerton casting call emerged after part two of season 3, seeking an East Asian female to play “Emily,” a key character described as “plucky and resourceful with difficulty trusting others.” This has led to speculation that Emily and Sophie might be the same person.

Showrunner Jess Brownell, speaking to Entertainment Weekly in June, remained tight-lipped about these details. When asked about Eloise’s line in the season 3 finale concerning the masquerade ball, Brownell hinted, “You should read into that in that you will see the masquerade ball next season. That’s as much as I can say.”

Season 3 confirmed Benedict as bisexual, an aspect that fans had speculated about. It remains to be seen how this will impact his love story in season 4, yet his exploration of self-identity will persist as he searches for his match.

“Benedict has always been a character who hasn’t felt like he quite fits in society, but he hasn’t figured out how to break the rules in a way that works for him,” Brownell explained. His relationship with Tilley Arnold this season was about finding a balance between societal expectations and personal authenticity, including accepting his queerness through a throuple experience.

In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly at the end of season 2, Thompson expressed his hopes for Benedict’s development, describing him as a bohemian and a bit of a lost soul.

“He’s a little too much of a mystery to himself,” Thompson reflected. “Benedict has always gone along with things. He’s so open, which is lovely, but he’s happy to be directed in various directions. His challenge will be finding his center.”

Thompson also mentioned that part of Benedict’s journey will be about understanding himself outside of the Bridgerton identity—a path he already began exploring with Tilley Arnold in season 3.

“When you fall in love or find a meaningful connection, there has to be some give and take,” he noted. “There’s always tension between losing and forming a connection, leaving the familiar structure where you know your place to suddenly redefine yourself.”

“I’d love for that quality to stay, but part of the tension in the show is about what you hold onto and what you let go of when you start a new relationship and build your own family.” He continued, “To find one’s center, you sometimes have to be less agreeable and adaptable, something Benedict needs to learn.”

Much like the rigidity of glass slippers, some things are just less adjustable.

Source: Entertainment Weekly