It is official. Luke Thompson is finally stepping into the spotlight as Benedict Bridgerton, and honestly, it’s about time. After years of watching him wander around art schools and engage in various bohemian dalliances, the "second son" is getting his own story. But the bridgerton cast season 4 isn't just about Benedict.
Fans are spiraling.
Every time a new season is announced, the same panic sets in: who is coming back? We’ve already lost the Duke (Regé-Jean Page) and Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) is basically a ghost at this point. Shondaland has a way of shuffling the deck that keeps us on our toes, but for Season 4, the stakes feel different because the show is finally diving into An Offer from a Gentleman.
The New Lead: Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek
The biggest news regarding the bridgerton cast season 4 is the arrival of Yerin Ha. She’s playing Sophie Baek. If you’ve read the books, you know her as Sophie Beckett, but the showrunners decided to change the surname to reflect Ha’s Korean heritage. This is a move that feels very in line with the Bridgerton universe’s "reimagined" Regency era.
Sophie isn't just another debutante.
She's a "Lady in Silver." Her story is a bit of a Cinderella retelling, involving a masquerade ball and a lot of yearning. Yerin Ha, known for her work in Halo, brings a fresh energy that the show desperately needs after the heavy emotional weight of Colin and Penelope’s season.
Why the name change matters
It’s not just a superficial tweak. Showrunner Jess Brownell has been vocal about wanting to reflect the diversity of the audience within the cast. By making Sophie Baek's heritage part of the story, the show opens up new avenues for costume design, cultural nuances, and family history that weren't in Julia Quinn’s original novels.
Who is definitely returning to Mayfair?
Look, a Bridgerton show without the Bridgertons is just... a fancy costume party. We know for a fact that the core family remains the backbone of the bridgerton cast season 4.
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Luke Thompson is obviously the man of the hour. He’s played Benedict with such a specific blend of humor and vulnerability that seeing him fall head-over-heels is going to be a massive shift. Then we have Claudia Jessie as Eloise. She’s headed to Scotland—or at least she was at the end of Season 3—but don't expect her to be gone for long. Her dynamic with Benedict is the best sibling relationship on the show.
Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton are also confirmed.
They’re the new "heads" of the household in a way, or at least the resident happy couple. Seeing "Polin" in their domestic bliss phase will be a nice contrast to Benedict's chaotic search for the mysterious woman from the ball.
- Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton): He’s a busy man. With Wicked and Jurassic World, fans were worried. But Bailey has gone on record saying he will squeeze in time for his "little brother." Expect him and Kate (Simone Ashley) to pop up, even if they spend half the time "traveling to India."
- Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton): The glue. She’s also got her own little "garden in bloom" storyline with Lord Anderson (Marcus Anderson), which better get some screen time.
- Hannah Dodd (Francesca): Her story just got complicated with the introduction of Michaela Stirling instead of Michael. She’s a lock for Season 4.
The Michaela Stirling Controversy and the Cast Impact
Social media nearly melted when Masali Baduza appeared on screen as Michaela Stirling. For the uninitiated, in the books, Francesca eventually falls for Michael Stirling. By gender-swapping the character, the bridgerton cast season 4 is setting up the show’s first major queer central romance.
Some fans are livid. Others are thrilled.
Jess Brownell told Teen Vogue that she related to Francesca’s story as a queer woman and felt that the "feeling of being different" translated well to this change. Regardless of where you stand on the book-to-screen accuracy, Masali Baduza is a powerhouse actress. Her chemistry with Hannah Dodd in those few seconds of the Season 3 finale was palpable.
The "Will They, Won't They" of Supporting Characters
The Ton is a crowded place. We can’t forget the Featheringtons. While Penelope is now a Bridgerton, her mother Portia (Polly Walker) is a fan favorite. It’s hard to imagine the show without her schemes.
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Then there’s the Queen.
Golda Rosheuvel is synonymous with Bridgerton. Her search for the next "diamond" and her ongoing battle of wits with Lady Whistledown (who is now outed) will have to evolve. Since Penelope isn't writing anonymously anymore, the Queen needs a new hobby. Or a new target.
Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury) is also a staple. You can't have a ball without Lady Danbury standing on the sidelines with a cane and a judgmental look. Her history with Violet's father is still a dangling thread that the writers would be smart to pull.
Characters in Limbo
What about the younger ones? Will we see more of Gregory and Hyacinth? Usually, they’re just there for comic relief or to steal a tea cake, but as the seasons progress, they’re getting older. Florence Hunt and Will Tilston are growing up fast. If the show follows the book timeline, we’re still years away from their stories, but the bridgerton cast season 4 might start laying more groundwork for their future debuts.
Production Timeline: When will we see them?
Filming for Season 4 kicked off in the fall of 2024. If you’re doing the math based on previous seasons, that puts a release date somewhere in 2026. Two years. It’s a long time to wait for a masquerade ball.
The production has moved to a new backlot at Shepperton Studios. This allowed them to build a permanent "Regency Street," which means the sets will be more expansive than ever. More room for the bridgerton cast season 4 to promenade and whisper about scandals.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Casting Process
There’s a misconception that the actors are signed for eight seasons from day one. That’s not how it works. Contracts are complicated. This is why we see some actors drift away while others stay.
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The "Netflix Effect" makes these actors global superstars overnight. Suddenly, Jonathan Bailey is a movie star. Nicola Coughlan is a fashion icon. Scheduling becomes a nightmare. If a character disappears for three episodes, it’s usually not because of "creative choices"—it’s because the actor is filming a blockbuster in another country.
Actionable Insights for Fans
The wait for Season 4 is going to be grueling, but there are ways to stay in the loop without falling for clickbait.
1. Follow the official Shondaland accounts, not just "leak" pages.
A lot of the "confirmed cast lists" you see on TikTok are totally fake. They use fan-cast images of actors who aren't even in talks for the show. Stick to Tudum or Variety for the real deal.
2. Re-read "An Offer from a Gentleman."
But do it with an open mind. We know Sophie is now Sophie Baek. We know Benedict’s journey has been more fluid in the show than in the books. Reading the source material gives you the "skeleton" of the plot, but the show adds the "flesh" in ways that might surprise you.
3. Watch the cast's other projects.
Want to see what Yerin Ha is capable of? Check out Halo. Want more of Masali Baduza? Look up Noughts + Crosses. Supporting the bridgerton cast season 4 actors in their other work is the best way to see the range they’ll bring to the Ton.
The Season 4 cast is shaping up to be the most diverse and narratively ambitious yet. We’re moving away from the standard "marriage mart" formula and into something a bit more atmospheric, a bit more "fairytale," and a lot more Benedict. Keep your eyes on the casting calls; the Ton is expanding, and there’s plenty of room for new faces among the familiar ones we’ve come to love.