Someone alert Lady Whistledown; Bridgerton just released a big announcement. The series finally revealed who would lead the show’s upcoming fourth season. Fans have been awaiting this news for several months. Many speculated that it would either be Benedict or Eloise, the fourth and fifth Bridgerton siblings. Well, we have an answer. On Wednesday, the series announced that the Season 4 lead will be Benedict Bridgerton.
Benedict’s Story in the Books
It seems that the fourth season will introduce another beloved character from the books, Sophie Beckett. With the trope of the book being a “Cinderella” romance, Benedict and Sophie’s love story transcends social classes. The character is initially introduced to the wealthy, exuberant Bridgerton family after signing on to be a maid.
Benedict’s book, An Offer From a Gentleman, follows his quest for love after meeting and falling head over heels for a mysterious woman. He meets her at his mother’s infamous Masquerade Ball (hint: it turns out to be Sophie). Many fans are excited to see how Bridgerton plans to incorporate the book’s storylines into its new season. It appears that time will tell as everyone awaits more information regarding the show’s fourth season.
Benedict’s Story in the Show
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Benedict has always seemed a little lost, a wayward soul, always trying to figure out what to do next. In Season 1, audiences watched him channel this energy into his artistic pursuits, applying to and eventually accepting a position at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
In Season 2, he was still trying to uncover his purpose, searching for something with deeper meaning. In Season 3, fans watched as Benedict explored his sexuality, engaging in a passionate affair with both a man and a woman. This personal discovery was great growth for Benedict’s character, in addition to being excellent LGBTQ+ representation for fans. Despite Benedict teeing up to find love next season, viewers can hope Bridgerton’s overall inclusivity continues for each season to come.
When speaking about Benedict’s sexuality, Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell noted that just because Benedict is set to find love does not mean his character will no longer be able to explore his romantic life. In an interview with The Wrap, Brownell said, “The introduction of Sophie is definitely still in the cards, but we are going to continue to explore his fluidity. This is not the end of that storyline.” She went on to describe Benedict as someone whose sexuality isn’t fixed.
Fate of Other Characters
Audiences can be rest assured that we’ll see plenty from the show’s other beloved characters next season. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Brownell guaranteed that other fan favorites, including Colin and Penelope, will be back.
She was quick to add that their storylines will take more of a backseat to the lead’s main storyline. Their time in the spotlight already came during the most recent season. Additionally, Brownell confirmed the return of Bridgerton’s resident mean girl, Cressida Cowper. She stated, “We want to do more with Cressida. The fact that she hasn’t gotten her happy ending yet means that her story is not over.”
Bridgerton Season 4 Release Date
When can audiences expect Season 4 to be released? Production is reported to start filming in the fall. Could this mean a new look for the show? Most debutante seasons take place in the spring. However, the fall might be a cool aesthetic option to explore. Brownell confirmed that this new season could be something the show might explore. She said that for practical reasons, it would be easier to incorporate the fall season into the show. This tracks with the timeline of the shoot. However, she confirmed that it will be the same old Bridgerton audiences have come to know and love.
Fans might have to wait a little while before Season 4 comes out. Members of the Bridgerton production team confirmed there will be around a two-year wait for the upcoming season. Typically, seasons take around eight months to shoot. When you factor in post-production, editing, and marketing of the new season, that adds up to around two years.
It appears Season 4 is shaping up to be well worth the wait. We’ll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, the first three seasons of the Shondaland hit are available to stream on Netflix.
