Bridgerton season four is around the corner, and the Ton is buzzing. This time, the spotlight turns to our enigmatic second son, Benedict Bridgerton, and if the casting is anything to go by, we’re in for another season of love, and a healthy dose of yearning.
While Netflix is keeping much of the storyline under wraps, we do know who’s returning, who’s being introduced, and who’s sadly departing our favourite fictional world. Below, your definitive guide to who’s who in season four — from familiar faces to fresh arrivals ready to ruffle some ruffles.
Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson are our new leading couple
Benedict Bridgerton’s long-awaited season brings with it a brand-new diamond: Sophie Baek, based on Julia Quinn’s beloved character “Sophie Beckett.” The pair meet while disguised at a masquerade ball; but it’s not until Sophie is hired to be a maid for the Bridgerton family that their paths properly cross paths. The Cinderella-coded character is described as clever, quick-witted and rebellious — aka, the perfect foil material for Benedict’s artistic, privileged disillusionment.
She’ll be played by Yerin Ha, a rising Australian-Korean actor best known for Halo, the Stan miniseries Bad Behaviour, and the recent Netflix hit The Survivors. She’s also trained at NIDA and the granddaughter of Korean acting royalty Son Sook.
New to the Ton: Bridgerton season four cast additions
Netflix has confirmed several new characters set to make their Ton debuts this season. They include:
- Katie Leung, who is joining the cast as Lady Araminta Gun, a sharp, glamorous mother navigating the marriage mart with a hearty sense of ambition. She has two daughters, and at least one of them must be wed.
- Michelle Mao will play Rosamund Li, Lady Gun’s eldest daughter, who is beautiful, ambitious, and laser-focused on Benedict Bridgerton as her prize for the season.
- Isabella Wei steps in as younger sister Posy Li. She’s chatty, and her lack of filter makes her both endearing and a potential wildcard.
There are several returning favourites (and thank god for that)
Yes, Luke Thompson is back as Benedict, and yes, this season will finally be his story — but he won’t be the only familiar face in the drawing room.
Jonathan Bailey (Anthony) confirmed his return and hinted to Good Morning America that elder brother duties will continue. “The thing about Bridgerton, which is so brilliant, is that there’s so many different ways you can fall in love as humans and that’s what this show will explore. Obviously being the older brother, I’m going to be there to support the youngsters as we go,” he said.
Hardly surprising, Simone Ashley, who plays Anthony; counterpart, Kate, is also confirmed. While details are sparse, we’d guess she’ll likely playing a guiding role now that they’ve settled into married bliss.
Nicola Coughlan (Penelope) and Luke Newton (Colin) will return, with their love story now public knowledge and Lady Whistledown unmasked. How the ton responds to Penelope’s double life? We’re bracing ourselves.
Hannah Dodd (Francesca) and Claudia Jessie (Eloise) are both likely to feature too, especially as their storylines loom on the horizon. The younger children, Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton) and Will Tilston(Gregory Bridgerton), are also back in the picture.
And yes, of course Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), and Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton) are all set to return — because what is Bridgerton without the matriarchs?
Who is not returning?
Sadly, at this stage there’s no indication that Regé-Jean Page (Simon Basset) and Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne Bridgerton) will return in season four. Page left for good following season one, while Dynevor closed out her role in season two. She has indicated, however, that she would be open to reprising it in the future.
The fate of Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madesen) also remains up in the air. After being unceremoniously exiled to the Welsh countryside at the end of season three, Cowper is not currently confirmed for season four. While her story could resume in the future, for now it looks like she’ll be sitting this season out.
Will Julie Andrews return in season four?
Now that Penelope’s secret is out, many fans (the RUSSH team among them) are wondering if Julie Andrews iconic narration as Lady Whistledown will continue. Julie Andrews signed off season three in character, handing over the quill (and the voiceover) to Coughlan’s Penelope. But showrunner Jess Brownell hinted to Glamour that Andrews may still be involved in future seasons — how exactly, remains to be revealed.
