The Bridgerton universe continues to expand. Netflix has officially confirmed that the fourth season of the hit period series produced by Shondaland will premiere in two parts during the first quarter of 2026.
The first part will arrive on the platform on January 29, 2026, while the second part will premiere on February 26 of the same year. In total, the season will consist of eight episodes, divided into two blocks of four episodes each, following the same staggered release format as the third installment, a strategy that allowed to keep the public’s interest for several consecutive weeks.
In this new phase, the plot will focus on Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson, the second son of the Bridgerton family. Unlike his older brothers – Anthony, already married to Kate Sharma, and Colin, recently engaged to Penelope Featherington – Benedict remains the free spirit of the family, a man who defies social conventions and seeks to live by his own rules.
According to the official synopsis released by Netflix, the story will explore “the dilemmas of love, freedom and identity,” as Benedict struggles between personal independence and the desire to find true love. Everything changes when, during a masked ball organized by Lady Violet Bridgerton, he meets a mysterious woman who awakens an immediate connection in him.
This enigmatic figure will be Sophie Baek, played by Australian actress Yerin Ha, known for her role in Halo (Paramount+). Her character promises to bring an air of mystery, excitement and conflict to the protagonist’s life, in what many fans are already describing as a loose adaptation of An Offer From a Gentleman, the third book in the literary saga written by Julia Quinn.
Bridgerton: The creative team and the cast
Season four once again features Jess Brownell as showrunner and executive producer, joined by Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica and Chris Van Dusen, the series’ original creator.
The main cast will be made up of a combination of familiar faces and new additions. Returning are Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Bridgerton), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte) and Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury). Also joining the cast are Simone Ashley (Kate Bridgerton), Hannah Dodd (Francesca Stirling), Victor Alli (Lord John Stirling), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington) and Julie Andrews, who will reprise her role as the voice of Lady Whistledown.
New faces include Isabella Wei(Posy Li), Michelle Mao(Rosamund Li) and Katie Leung(Lady Araminta Gun), expanding the diversity of the Bridgerton universe with characters that promise new twists and romances.
Since its debut in December 2020, Bridgerton has established itself as one of Netflix’s most successful productions. Each season has held prominent positions in the platform’s global Top 10 and has been watched by more than 300 million households worldwide, according to company data.
The universe created by Shonda Rhimes was expanded with the prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023), which also achieved enormous ratings and critical success, consolidating the franchise as an international cultural phenomenon.
Beyond the screen, Bridgerton has inspired trends in fashion, literature, music and lifestyle. Fans have recreated the costumes and aesthetics of the British Regency period, while events such as The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience have brought the experience of the series into the real world, allowing attendees to experience the glamour and fantasy of 19th century London balls.
The arrival of the fourth season promises to renew interest in the Bridgerton family and continue the formula that has captivated millions: romance, elegance, intrigue and passion. With Benedict as the new protagonist and a love story marked by mystery, this installment will seek to balance social drama with the personal growth of its characters.
As fans anxiously await the premiere, Netflix and Shondaland reaffirm their commitment to maintaining the narrative and visual quality that has made Bridgerton a benchmark in contemporary entertainment.
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