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Desire versus duty: All you need to know about Bridgerton season 4
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Wet your Whistledown with the long-awaited return of Bridgerton, which promises to be its most scandalous season so far. Plus, our guide to all the goings-on in the ton
By Charlotte Briggs + Chris Miller, Feature Writers
- Published
- 28 January 2026
The costumes! The opulence! The intrigue! The sexy times that’ll make your grandmother blush! And did we mention those costumes? We were hooked on saucy Regency romance series Bridgerton from the very start, drawn in by everything from the machinations of 19th-century aristocratic life to the set design that’s a delicious feast for the eyes.
Now, Bridgerton is back for a fourth season. Part 1 arrives in Apps > Netflix on Thursday 29 January, with the rest of the season coming on Thursday 26 February. Splendid. Here’s a look at the coming episodes.
It’s been nearly two years since we visited the ton and if you’re anything like us, you’re in danger of forgetting some of the more significant aspects of the plot so far. It can be tricky to remember which of those eight Bridgerton siblings is which, apart from anything.
So don’t get your Lady Danburys mixed up with your Lady Featheringtons – instead, dip into our handy guide to the story so far. And if you’re yet to catch up with previous episodes, be warned that there are spoilers ahead…
What is Bridgerton about?
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Inspired by Julia Quinn’s bestselling novel series, Bridgerton follows the upper crust of English society as they navigate the competitive marriage mart of Regency-era London, all under the watchful eyes of the ton. In this world the ton (from the French bon ton, meaning “good manners”) is at the centre of everything, including every social season when the aristocracy’s eligible young women are presented to Queen Charlotte and generally paraded around town to attract the best possible husbands.
It may look fabulous but in reality it’s a strangely cynical and commercial enterprise: the challenge for everyone, but especially the women, is to beat the system by manoeuvring your way into a marriage based on love – as some of our heroines have managed to do already (but more on that later).
And the events that unfold throughout the season are narrated by the all-knowing gossip columnist Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), whose popular scandal sheet is always the talk of the ton.
What’s the story so far?
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Dearest gentle reader, while you can stream seasons 1-3 in Apps > Netflix at your leisure (and we highly recommend that you do), we’ve broken down the show’s biggest moments for you below. Just click on each arrow to expand the season and learn all about the goings-on of the British aristocracy. After all, such valuable information is sure to seal your fate as diamond of the season…
Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) enters London’s marriage season, where she’s declared “the diamond of the first water” by the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel). High praise indeed. Despite this, she struggles to secure a good match and pretends to court “rake” Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page), a duke who secretly refuses to have children to end the bloodline of his abusive father.
Surprise! They fall in love, but after being caught in a compromising embrace by Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), they’re forced to marry quickly so they avoid scandal. When Daphne discovers Simon’s vow, though, it nearly destroys their marriage. However, love prevails and they reconcile during a rather romantic rainstorm, with Daphne later giving birth to a child – an event that makes Simon realise the folly of his plan to end his bloodline. Aw! The season ends by revealing that anonymous society gossip Lady Whistledown is Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan).
This season shifts its focus to Anthony, the eldest Bridgerton brother, who is determined to marry for duty and not love. He courts Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran) but finds himself irresistibly drawn to her sharp-tongued older sister, Kate (Aimone Ashley). Despite their mutual feelings, Anthony and Kate decide to protect Edwina and their respective family’s honour. Of course, the love triangle leads to heartbreak at the altar when Edwina discovers the truth and ends the engagement. Yikes.
Ultimately, Anthony and Kate admit their love and marry with Edwina’s blessing. But while Lady Whistledown’s real identity remains secret to the rest of the ton, Eloise Bridgerton discovers the truth and confronts her close friend Penelope about the betrayal.
Season three centres on the unexpected budding romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). Tired of being overlooked, Penelope decides to seek a husband while secretly continuing to spread scandal as Lady Whistledown. When Colin returns from his travels, he agrees to help Penelope find a husband, only to realise that he’s in love with her.
One passionate confession and a secret engagement later, Colin and the rest of the ton discover Lady Whistledown’s real identity, and Penelope is forced to choose between her heart and her pen. The season ends with Colin accepting Penelope fully, their successful love match producing a son, and Penelope reclaiming her voice on her own terms.
What’s happening in Bridgerton season 4?
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This season is based on Quinn’s third novel An Offer From A Gentleman (after the third season skipped ahead one volume), and we’re promised it’s going to be the show’s most swoonworthy yet. As we already know, each season is set around one of the eight Bridgerton siblings on their quest for marriage, and after we’ve watched Daphne, Anthony and Colin find love it’s now the turn of second son, Benedict (Luke Thompson).
The ballroom wallflower has spent many soirées gazing longingly at coupled-up counts and the like. But under mounting pressure from his mother Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), it’s time for the reluctant bachelor to experience his own love story – and it comes in the unexpected form of the mysterious “Lady in Silver” at the Bridgertons’ famed masquerade ball.
Of course, matters of the heart are rarely straightforward in the ton, and this case is no exception. The “Lady in Silver” is really Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha, Halo), a maid working for a rather formidable new household. When a twist of fate reunites the pair outside of the ballroom, Benedict finds his affections torn between Sophie and unravelling the identify of his ballroom partner, an encounter that’s the talk of the ton. Only time will tell if true love really can conquer all.
Is there a new family in the ton?
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The social season attracts the attention of everyone from London’s high society and beyond, and this series introduces viewers to the Penwood household. You may recognise actor Katie Leung as Cho Chang from the Harry Potter film series; she takes on the role of the devious Lady Araminta Gun. Already twice married and twice widowed, the Penwood matriarch will stop at nothing to protect her standing in society, which includes securing suitable husbands for her two daughters.
Rosamund (Michelle Mao, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey) and Posy Li (Isabella Wei, Black Doves) are the newest debutants on the marriage mart. While eldest Rosamund is as determined as her mother to rise through the ranks of aristocracy, sister Posy craves connection and true love. So, where does Sophie fit into all this? She’s the illegitimate daughter of Lady Araminta’s late husband, the Earl of Penwood, and much like Cinderella’s evil stepmother, Araminta ensures that Sophie stays out of trouble by loading her with work of four maids in the household.
Who else is starring?
Along with the ton newbies, you can expect to see all your favourite lords, dukes and marquesses promenading through the streets of Mayfair in season 4. While we already know that this season focuses on Benedict Bridgerton, you can find out about more returning gentry by clicking on the list below.
Luke Thompson – Benedict Bridgerton
Ruth Gemmell – Violet Bridgerton
Luke Newton – Colin Bridgerton
Nicola Coughlan – Penelope Bridgerton
Jonathan Bailey – Anthony Bridgerton
Simone Ashley – Kate Bridgerton
Claudia Jessie – Eloise Bridgerton
Florence Hunt – Hyacinth Bridgerton
Will Tilston – Gregory Bridgerton
Golda Rosheuvel – Queen Charlotte
Adjoa Andoh – Lady Danbury
Julie Andrews – Lady Whistledown (voice)
Victor Alli – John Stirling
Hannah Dodd – Francesca Stirling
Masali Baduza – Michaela Stirling
Polly Walker – Portia Featherington
Lorraine Ashbourne – Mrs Varley
Daniel Francis – Lord Marcus Anderson
Hugh Sachs – Brimsley
Martins Imhangbe – Will Mondrich
Emma Naomi – Alice Mondrich
What about the creative team?
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If the heart-fluttering romances, opulent costumes and general splendour aren’t enough to hook you in, the creative team behind Bridgerton will be. The show is a Shondaland production (the company founded by Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes) which also counts Inventing Anna, How To Get Away With Murder and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on its slate. Impressive.
Alongside Rhimes as an executive producer is Jess Brownell, who has been the showrunner since the start of season 3. According to Luke Thompson, “the scripts that Jess [Brownell] and her team have come up with are dynamite. They’re really, really, really exciting.” Intriguing…
When is Bridgerton season 4 out?
The first half of Bridgerton season 4 (four episodes) will be available to stream in Apps > Netflix on Thursday 29 January, with the second half following on Thursday 26 February. Seasons 1-3 and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story are all available now.
Plus, if you can’t get enough of Bridgerton, then get your fanciest outfit on and waltz into a real-life Regency world filled with soirées, including the magical Bridgerton, A Candlelight Experience and the Bridgerton: The Official Podcast with Alison Hammond.
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