Bridgerton: Season 4, Part 1 Review
By Sioph W. Leal
Bridgerton finally returns to our screens, only this time it is the long-awaited Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). It is no secret that Benedict’s book, An Offer From A Gentleman, remains one of Julia Quinn’s most beloved series, and Netflix does not disappoint! After refusing to settle down, Benedict Bridgerton has finally met his match! The illusive Lady In Silver (Yerin Ha) captivates and entrances him from the moment he sees her; only she is hiding a secret! The Lady In Silver is no debutante but is in fact an illegitimate maid, Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), who wanted a taste of a ball. Separated by the ringing of the clock striking midnight, Benedict is enthralled by his mysterious Lady in Silver, but he finds his heart yearning more for Sophie.
After mixed reviews from its previous season, the introduction of Sophie Baek and her world offers a much-needed breath of fresh air into the series. Through Sophie, we are given a deeper look into the Bridgerton world as she navigates through the different classes, legitimacy, and, at one point, survival! Ha commands attention, no matter the scene she is in, and watching her navigate both Sophie’s confidence and vulnerability (especially when you are treated to an orchestra version of Enchanted by Taylor Swift) perfectly in tandem with one another is a standout of the season, dare I say in any season of Bridgerton! Ha’s Sophie is witty, stubborn, and observant, and it would be impossible for anyone not to fall in love with her—well, anyone who isn’t Armainta Gun (Katie Leung).
Leading the new Penwood family, Lady Armainta Gun is a force to be reckoned with. As new additions to the Bridgerton series, you will love to hate Aramanita! Leung delivers a masterclass in controlled cruelty and is remarkably clever, and when, on the rare occasion, Araminta shows a hint of kindness, you can see her ingenuity at play! Leung does the impossible, making Araminta a gripping character to watch, wanting more of her even though she is consumed by hatred. She is a mixture of complexity, ambition, resentment, insecurity, and calculation all rolled into one delectable, yet vastly underused, performance. Joining her in the Penwood household are her two daughters, the favorite and mirror of her mother, Rosamond (Michelle Mao) and Posy Li (Isabella Wei), the more charming yet insecure of the two daughters. The sisters are complete opposites of each other in a nice twist that turns the story away from its fairytale inspiration.
Posy shows the world the softer side of the Penwood family in her kindness with Sophie and, in return, Sophie hopes for Posy’s happiness, even if it could be to the detriment of her own happiness. A beautiful scene ensues with the fan requested Enchanted (Taylor Swift) performed by Joseph William Morgan as Sophie watches Benedict call on Posy. It’s bittersweet and full of longing, of hope but smashed with the realisation, to Sophie, that she will never be what Benedict wants or needs: the Lady in Silver. Instead of being bitter, she remarks that Benedict is kind when watching him listen and engage with Posy. You get the sense that Sophie has her own kindness that the world has not taken out of her even though she’s guarded. Yerin Ha carries the scene with beautiful grace that conveys all of Sophie’s dreams, her yearning and her realisation.
Kindness is so rare for the Penwood household but it's all perfectly balanced. Rosamund has her ambitions, Posy has her gentleness, and Araminta has her chilling, emotionally devastating quips to Sophie. Leung has a calm hatred, a chilling yet perfect way about her that evokes fear in just one look. She never shouts but one look or question strikes fear. All of this makes every Penwood scene effortlessly gripping, making it all the more frustrating when they are needlessly sidelined for outdated characters like Porta Featherington (Polly Walker).
As flawless as the new additions are, the fourth season of Bridgerton is very close to falling into habits that had frustrated past viewers. Sideplots focused on other members of the cast, such as Penelope Bridgerton (Nicola Coughlin) and her dedicated screen time in explaining the ways of climaxing to her sister-in-law. Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), felt as though their scenes were leftovers from a potential second season of Queen Charlotte. Instead, they are needlessly thrown into the fourth season without any impact on the main plot, which is the love story of the season. Sometimes the sideplots work and are a funny addition with more levels to it upon rewatches. The infamous Maid Wars orchestrated by Araminta all ties back to the main love story but gives other characters moments. However, Bridgerton did not need multiple scenes of the Featherington maid over the Penwood family. It’s unfortunate that Bridgerton, again, sidelines its Asian characters for the sake of the Featheringtons when a good addition could have been the missing Viscountess, Kate Bridgerton (Simone Ashley), learning about hiring and managing the house in her new role for one scene. Or have a scene to feature Araminta since it is her “war” but instead it is two cut away scenes of her, not speaking, in place of Varley giving two speeches in two or three different scenes.
Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson do not disappoint. Whenever the pair are together, it’s as if they are being pulled together by fate, even if they are unaware of it. Scenes in My Cottage will introduce them to each other again; only this time they are on equal footing. Sophie is Benedict’s guest, and Benedict is free from the pressures of being the de facto Viscount Bridgerton. With the elevated camera work, the quieter pacing, and the return of the beautiful costumes, My Cottage will feel like it’s finally a place where Sophie and Benedict can breathe. There are moments there that are the height of romance and will leave you wanting Benedict and Sophie to remain at My Cottage indefinitely. Away from the social scene, you see Benedict thrive. He is freer than we’ve seen him before but controlled because he’s forced to stay in place due to his accidental injury. Complimenting that is Sophie, dressed in ladies wear and not the maid uniform, who is forced to take time for herself and relax. The two already connected before this but there’s a beautiful peace with it in My Cottage that allowed their bond and chemistry to grow into what will make them a most favoured couple of the show. The costumes in this scene are beautiful, the set dressing matches and feels like part of the time period with its own identity without the garish patterns on the clothing that we’ve seen since season three.
Finally, a romantic couple is the focus of the season! Sophie and Benedict are the heart of the season, and the two are defined by their balance. Benedict is a free-spirited man who has not needed to think of risks and consequences, while Sophie has lived in reality, highlighted more by her playful openness and dry realism. Whenever the two are pulled together by an invisible force, you really see them benefiting one another. Benedict becomes less performative and more grounded, while Sophie is allowed moments of joy and softness without losing her pragmatism. Thankfully, Bridgerton does not rush their intimacy, nor does it depend on the cheap heavy panting from the previous season. Their connection feels the most genuine out of all the past leads, carefully laid through shared silence, encouragement, and understanding of each other without expectation. It helps that they have the majority of their scenes together and there are no unnecessary moments or obstacles and that the leads are the majority focus.
Anyone who has missed what made Bridgerton special will love the newest season. Finally, it focuses on the romantic leads again and can show off the magnetism of Sophie and Benedict. The fairytale inspiration stays in the first episode but the reality of the world after it creates interesting depths to returning and new characters. The chemistry between Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson is unmatched and brings back the magic of Bridgerton, making you feel similar to season one and two but with deeper levels, beautiful intimacy and connections between the romantic leads that make the season special in a way that balances the magical and the realistic.
Bridgerton season 4, part 1 premiers on Netflix January 29th 2026.