Dearest Gentle Reader…Season Four of Bridgerton has been released!
By: Gianna Liantonio
Bridgerton season four part one was released on January 29, 2026 and part two on February 26, 2026.
From the first episode, I became enamoured by the fairy tale aspects of the story. Violet Bridgerton hosted the first ball of the season, and made it a masquerade!
Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson, took the center of this season as he is expected to take on a wife, but no woman at the ‘ton had exactly caught his eye.
Unmotivated, he came to the ball and stumbled upon a mysterious lady in silver who he immediately became transfixed by. They shared an intimate moment on the balcony away from prying eyes and just as she was going to be unmasked, the clock struck twelve and she ran away. This season took on the element of another Cinderella story–with a twist!
The lady in silver is actually Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha, who is a maid at Penwood house. Eager to feel the luxuries of nobility for one night, the other workers of the house helped her sneak in, making sure not to be caught by the intimidating and cruel Lady Penwood, played by Katie Leung, who is best known as Cho Chang in the Harry Potter series. Her two daughters Rosamund and Posy are out on their debut and ready to find husbands. Lady Penwood did not take on the role of a step-mother, but got the wicked part down with how she treated Sophie.
Sophie and Benedict met for the “first” time after he came to her aid when a man she worked for tried to hurt her. They go to My Cottage, a home owned by the Bridgerton family where Benedict needs to heal after an injury. Sophie tended to his wounds with the help of Mr. and Mrs. Crabtree who reside at the cottage.
Away from the prying eyes of society, their relationship started to develop, having quiet moments in the garden, by the lake and even flying a kite. I enjoyed watching their characters get to know each other slowly, the yearning so evident every time they glance at each other.
When they got back to Mayfair, Benedict suggests that Sophie work for his family and then becomes his sister’s ladies maid. She fit right in as everyone adores her, but it makes it hard for Benedict and Sophie to hide their feelings from each other. Luke and Yerin’s acting was incredible with how a simple look in their eyes told the audience what they were thinking and feeling.
With the addition of Sophie, we did get to see what the downstairs life of the maids and cooks looks like, which I really enjoyed seeing that dynamic, especially when they get a night off and get to go to a tavern.
Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury’s friendship is one of my favorites in the show, especially after I watched the Queen Charlotte show. You could tell that when they are alone, they are truly just like the young women they once were, and they need each other. It is evident that Charlotte can be completely herself when it is just her and Agatha in the room.
There was a death this season, which if you’ve read the books, was expected to happen soon. The acting during this part was immaculate in how they really captured the stages of grief and how each member of the family felt during this time. I will miss this character greatly and wish we had more time with them.
The last few episodes really took me for a whirlwind with all the revelations coming to light, but I was very happy with how it ended! There was even a quick post credits scene that I almost missed, but very much needed to end the story.
The whole season from beginning to end was amazing and definitely became a top favorite season. The Cinderella story helped make it feel like a fairytale and I am eager to see how the next few seasons follow this one!
