When Is 'Bridgerton' Season 4 Coming Out? What to Know About Plot, Cast
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Netflix's Regency-era juggernaut Bridgerton is preparing to turn the spotlight on its most free-spirited sibling: Benedict Bridgerton. While the exact release date for Season 4 remains unconfirmed, multiple production updates and cast revelations suggest the next chapter in the Shondaland series is well underway, with a likely debut in 2026.
Fans who watched the romantic evolution of Daphne and Simon, then Anthony and Kate, followed by Colin and Penelope, will now be introduced to a tale centered on love, class and secrecy—modeled after Julia Quinn's 2001 novel, An Offer from a Gentleman.
Why It Matters
Since debuting in December 2020, Bridgerton has followed a predictable but spread-out release pattern. Season 1 aired in late 2020, followed by Season 2 in March 2022 and Season 3 in May 2024, split into two parts. Each season has focused on the romantic journey of a new Bridgerton sibling, mirroring the structure of Julia Quinn's novels. With Season 4 drawing from the third book, after the show skipped to the fourth novel for Season 3, it re-aligns the series with its original source order.
This upcoming season marks a thematic shift as it delves into class disparity and identity through Benedict's unlikely romance with a maid masquerading as a lady.
What Period Is 'Bridgerton' Set In?
The series is set during the early 1800s, a time commonly referred to as the Regency Era in British history. This period spans from 1811 to 1820, when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son, the Prince Regent, governed in his stead. Bridgerton reimagines this historical moment with a modern, inclusive twist, while showcasing the customs, debutante balls, and societal expectations of aristocratic London.
L-R: Hugh Sachs, Yerin Ha, Luke Thompson and Golda Rosheuvel at a "Bridgerton" event hosted by Netflix in London on February 14, 2025.
L-R: Hugh Sachs, Yerin Ha, Luke Thompson and Golda Rosheuvel at a "Bridgerton" event hosted by Netflix in London on February 14, 2025.
Ian West/AP Photos
When Is Season 4 of 'Bridgerton' Coming Out?
Although Netflix has not announced an official release date, indicators suggest a 2026 debut, if following the same schedule as the previous seasons. According to the French publication Allociné, Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope, said in a recent interview that filming began in September and is nearing completion. Actress Hannah Dodd, who plays Francesca, is set to start a stage role in London in late May, suggesting that her filming obligations are coming to an end.
Past seasons have required extensive post-production. Season 3 reportedly took 14 months to complete, according to Just Jared.
"We're really working on the idea of if this is the field we live in, then how do we make the field faster," series creator Shonda Rhimes told Variety in 2024. "And so we really are thinking about stuff such as permanent sets and lots, and things like that that will really help us speed the process up."
The two-year estimate also aligns with showrunner Jess Brownell's estimate of a two-year production timeline.
"We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language," Brownell told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024.
What Is the Plot of 'Bridgerton' Season 4?
Season 4 will focus on Benedict Bridgerton, the artistic second-born son, and his romantic journey with Sophie Baek, a housemaid hiding her identity. They meet at a masquerade ball hosted by Violet Bridgerton, where Sophie is disguised as a mysterious lady in silver. Benedict becomes smitten, unaware of her social standing.
Luke Thompson, who plays Benedict, describes the season as "a bit of a twist on Cinderella," and showrunner Jess Brownell adds that it balances the romantic fairytale with the harsh realities of the era.
"You have to hold both of them — the romance and the reality—in your hand. In its best version, 'true love' happens in the middle of that," Thompson told Netflix's Tudum.
In a parallel storyline, Francesca Bridgerton appears poised for a queer romance with Michaela Stirling, a gender-swapped adaptation of Michael from the books.
"There is going to be a relationship between Michaela and Fran, as per the books," Brownell confirmed to Entertainment Weekly.
Who Is in the Cast of 'Bridgerton' Season 4?
Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton
Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek
Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton
Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma
Victor Alli as John Stirling
Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown
Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley
Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton
Hannah Dodd as Francesca Stirling
Daniel Francis as Lord Marcus Anderson
Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton
Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton
Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich
Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton
Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li
Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
Hugh Sachs as Brimsley
Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton
Polly Walker as Portia Featherington
Isabella Wei as Posy Li
New characters include debutantes Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and Posy Li (Isabella Wei), as well as their calculating mother, Araminta. The Li family will debut in the opening episode.
How Did 'Bridgerton' Season 3 End?
Season 3 focused on Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton's slow-burn romance, culminating in their long-awaited union. It also set the stage for the developments in Season 4. A pivotal moment involved Francesca being introduced to her new husband's cousin, Michaela Stirling. The two share a charged first meeting that echoes Violet Bridgerton's description of love at first sight, hinting at their future storyline.
What People are Saying
Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024: "I'm really excited about what we're writing. We're toward the end with the writers room season, with the scripts. And I feel like it's some of my best work and my writers room's best work. We've just really gelled our collaboration, and we're firing on all cylinders, so I can't wait for fans to see what we have."
Bridgerton series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes told Variety in 2024: "It takes so long, and that's frustrating to me. To me, we should be able to write and produce shows at the same time, and that's not necessarily possible at this moment. It should be, but it's not."
What Happens Next
Season 4 will consist of eight episodes and is currently in production at Shepperton Studios outside London. With filming nearly complete, post-production is the next phase, suggesting a long wait before fans return to the ballrooms of Mayfair.
Until then, Benedict's romantic reckoning, with all its class tensions, mistaken identities, and masquerade intrigue, awaits.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Prince Harry Accused Of 'Directly Insulting' The Royal Family By Considering Changing His Last Name
Prince Harry's rift with the royal family has reportedly worsened amid reports that the Duke of Sussex considered adopting the Spencer surname. The US-based royal is said to have discussed the idea with his late mother's brother, Earl Spencer, who advised against it. However, royal experts say the move by Prince Harry has deepened tensions within the monarchy, with King Charles and Prince William reportedly "hurt and dismayed." Harry reportedly discussed with his uncle, Earl Charles Spencer, the possibility of adopting his late mother Princess Diana's surname, which would symbolically sever his ties with the Mountbatten-Windsor name currently used by his children. According to the Daily Mail, Harry brought up the idea during a recent visit to the U.K., where he had a "very amicable conversation" with his uncle, the 9th Earl Spencer. While the discussion was friendly, sources revealed that Earl Spencer advised against "taking such a step." The proposal has since sparked concern within royal circles. Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that Harry's inquiry alone has stirred unease. "Once again, Prince Harry has managed to make yet another deeply divisive and emotionally charged move, further fracturing his already tenuous relationship with the royal family," she said. Fordwich continued: "The overwhelming advice from within his own family, particularly from his Uncle Earl Spencer, is to abandon the ludicrous idea due to its legal and emotional consequences." She added: "Even his inquiry highlights the enduring complexities of Harry's relationship with his royal roots… It further thwarts any future reconciliation." The commentator further noted that the royal family is "hurt and dismayed" by the development, causing additional "damage to the already strained family relations." British broadcaster Helena Chard echoed the sentiment, describing the potential name change as having "an air of revenge." Speaking to Fox News Digital, she called the move "hurtful and vindictive" toward King Charles, emphasizing that it reflects Harry's ongoing bitterness. "It highlights Prince Harry's little to no regard for his family," Chard said. "A huge amount of bitterness and frustration bubbling away in Harry could have led to him feeling the Spencer name would help grow his Royal court." Chard also suggested that aligning more closely with the Spencer legacy could be a strategic move for Harry. "No doubt Prince Harry feels reinventing himself keeps him relevant," she remarked. "The world still has a love affair with the late Princess Diana. Harry and Meghan could take a cash grab of Princess Diana's legacy. [However], tarnishing Princess Diana's legacy would leave a bitter taste in the public's mouths." Royal analyst Richard Fitzwilliams also commented, warning that Charles would likely view the idea as a painful rejection of his paternal legacy. "For Harry to consider doing this, he must still feel very embittered," Fitzwilliams noted. "King Charles will regard this with great sadness… What will Harry think up next?" Fordwich also noted that the proposal is "viewed as a direct insult to his father, King Charles III, as well as his extended royal family." She explained: "Ironically, Harry was close to Prince Philip, who fought for the historical significance of the Mountbatten-Windsor name for his descendants. So it is a direct insult to him." According to Fordwich, Harry may see adopting the Spencer name as a way to honor his late mother, Princess Diana, "while distancing himself from the rest of the royal institution he feels alienated from." Fordwich noted that "there is also some speculation that Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, wants their children to be more closely associated with Diana's legacy, especially their daughter, Princess Lilibet, whose full name is Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor." Even so, Fordwich warned that tensions within the royal family remain high, and this new revelation only makes things worse. "King Charles III is hesitant to speak with Harry, and Prince William is disgusted that he keeps referencing their mother," Fordwich claimed. She concluded that "trust and communication are currently at an all-time low. Any hope of rapprochement is now said to be 'in tatters,' particularly given Harry's wish to change his surname, which is viewed as a final break from his royal roots." Meanwhile, royal commentator Ian Pelham Turner told the outlet that he wasn't surprised by Harry's reported interest in adopting the Spencer surname, noting the prince's enduring emotional connection to his mother's side of the family. "Prince Harry, at the time of this alleged conversation, was at a very low ebb," Turner explained. "He found tremendous support from Earl Spencer and Diana's two sisters, who rallied around [him]… The Spencer name is always a potential path for the beleaguered couple and their children. But at this stage, it's not on the horizon." Turner added that the "royal family and Harry are still seemingly at war with each other."
Business of Fashion
43 minutes ago
- Business of Fashion
Sotheby's to Auction Original Hermès Bag That Belonged to Jane Birkin
Sotheby's will soon auction the original Hermès Birkin bag that once belonged to the late singer Jane Birkin, one of the most coveted designs in the fashion industry. The famed black leather handbag will be put up for sale in Paris on July 10, the auction house said in a statement Thursday. The original Birkin was commissioned in 1984 exclusively for and in collaboration with Jane Birkin by Hermès International SCA's then Chief Executive Officer Jean-Louis Dumas. Birkin recalled in interviews how she bumped into Dumas on a flight and complained about the lack of an Hermès handbag that suited her needs. The British-French singer retold how she sketched a model on a 'vomit bag' and shortly after Dumas presented her with the original Birkin which the brand commercialised under her name. Jane Birkin sold her bag in 1994 to raise funds for an AIDS charity. It was auctioned again in 2000, and has since belonged to the collector who goes by the name 'Catherine B' on Instagram. Her account biography on the platform says she's the 'proud owner of the first Hermès Birkin bag.' A Sotheby's representative confirmed that the collector is the seller. Hermès bags often fetch higher prices at resale than they cost in boutiques due to long waiting lists. The record for a bag sold at auction is held by an Hermès Kelly known as Himalaya, made in crocodile skin and carrying a diamond, which fetched 4 million Hong Kong dollars in 2021 ($510,000) when it was auctioned by Christie's. ByAngelina Rascouet Learn more: Hermès Responds to 'Walmart Birkin', Dupe Culture CEO Axel Dumas called fakes 'detestable' while acknowledging the grey area surrounding many copycat products.
Associated Press
44 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Tom Hanks raves about Billy Joel at opening of Joel's documentary at Tribeca Film Festival
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.
