After a long wait, Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 officially waltzed onto Netflix on January 29, 2026. This season, the spotlight shifts from the carriage-dwelling romance of Polin to the long-awaited, bohemian love story of the second Bridgerton sibling: Benedict.
If you were hoping for a season that leans into the “fairy tale” aesthetic, you’re in luck. Part 1 feels like a lush, Regency-era reimagining of Cinderella, trading glass slippers for silver masks and high-stakes social climbing.
Official Trailer: Bridgerton Season 4
The Cast: New Faces & Returning Favorites
Luke Thompson shines as eternal bachelor Benedict Bridgerton, shedding rakish ways for vulnerable passion opposite Yerin Ha’s captivating Sophie Baek—a disguised lady’s maid with hidden depths. Returning favorites include Nicola Coughlan (Penelope), Luke Newton (Colin), Jonathan Bailey (Anthony), Simone Ashley (Kate), Ruth Gemmell (Violet), and Claudia Jessie (Eloise) for seamless family dynamics.
Newcomer Yerin Ha brings fiery allure to Sophie, inspired by Julia Quinn’s An Offer from a Gentleman, while Thompson’s emotional range elevates Benedict from spare brother to leading man. Supporting turns from Hannah Dodd (Francesca) and Will Tilston (Gregory) add fresh layers to the ton.
The Storyline: A Silver Lining
Season 4 draws heavy inspiration from Julia Quinn’s fan-favorite novel, An Offer from a Gentleman. The narrative kicks off at Lady Violet’s spectacular Masquerade Ball, where Benedict—ever the reluctant bachelor—encounters a mysterious “Lady in Silver.” Unlike previous seasons that focused on the inner workings of the “Marriage Mart,” this chapter dives into the rigid class divide of 19th-century London. We learn that the mysterious woman is Sophie Baek, a resourceful maid living under the thumb of the villainous Lady Araminta Gun.
The first four episodes follow Benedict’s obsessive search for his masked muse, while Sophie struggles to navigate her feelings for a man she is socially forbidden to love.
Review Ratings: What the Critics Are Saying
The reception for Part 1 has been generally warm, though not without its scandals. Critics praise the central romance, but some viewers have noted a shift in the show’s usual “steamy” tone.
any reviewers praised the visuals, performances—especially Yerin Ha’s striking screen presence—and thematic evolution. However, some commentaries note that the central romance occasionally lacks the fiery chemistry that defined earlier seasons.
Netflix’s Top 5 Highest Viewership Hits
Bridgerton dominates streaming charts—Season 3 hit 91.9M views in first 28 days. Here’s Netflix’s all-time English TV top 5 (views in first 28 days):
- 1. Squid Game S1: 265M views
- 2. Wednesday S1: 252.1M views
- 3. Stranger Things S4: 140.7M views
- 4. Bridgerton S1: 113M+ views
- 5. Bridgerton S3: 91.9M views
Production Magic: Costumes, Sets, Score
Ellen Mirojnick’s costumes dazzle with silver masks and velvet gowns, while Bath’s recreated ton sets pulse with candlelit intimacy. Choreography amps up masquerade dances, and John Lunn’s strings swell perfectly for every stolen glance.
Showrunner Jess Brownell deepens themes of identity and class, making Sophie a feminist standout without preachiness. Diverse casting and inclusive intimacy coordination keep the escapism fresh.
Final Thoughts
Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 is a refreshing pivot to a more traditional, “forbidden love” narrative. While we miss some of the familiar faces that have exited the series, the magnetic pull between Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha is more than enough to keep us hooked until the finale.
