LONDON — The wait is finally over for the ton. Bridgerton returns for its highly anticipated fourth season this week, shifting the spotlight to the bohemian second son, Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), and his Cinderella-esque romance with the mysterious Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).
With Part 1 premiering on Netflix on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the cast and crew have offered a final recap and tease of what to expect, while the show’s signature orchestral pop soundtrack has been officially revealed to feature heavy hitters like Taylor Swift and Coldplay.
The “Cinderella” Season: Benedict’s Search for the Lady in Silver
After watching his siblings Daphne, Anthony, and Colin find love, Season 4 finally adapts Julia Quinn’s third novel, An Offer From a Gentleman. The new season promises a shift in tone, leaning into a classic fairy tale trope with a Regency twist.
“This season is a bit of a Cinderella story,” music supervisor Justin Kamps revealed ahead of the premiere. “We’re using songs that play on that.”
The story kicks off with a masquerade ball hosted by Violet Bridgerton, where Benedict meets a captivating “Lady in Silver.” Unbeknownst to him, the masked woman is Sophie Baek, a maid working for the sharp-tongued Lady Araminta Gun. What follows is a game of identity, class conflict, and forbidden romance as Benedict searches for the woman who stole his heart, unaware she is scrubbing floors in a house nearby.
Lead actor Luke Thompson teased that this season forces his character to finally grow up. “Benedict has always been the spare, the one floating on the edges,” Thompson said in a pre-release interview. “This season, he finds a purpose that is entirely his own, but it requires him to make difficult choices about duty and society.”
The Soundtrack: Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and More
One of the most anticipated elements of any Bridgerton season is its Vitamin String Quartet-style covers of modern pop hits. Netflix has confirmed the tracklist for Part 1, and it is poised to be an emotional rollercoaster.
Headlining the list is Taylor Swift’s “Enchanted,” which will be featured in Episode 2, titled “Time Transfixed.” The song’s lyrics about being “wonderstruck” perfectly mirror Benedict’s instant infatuation at the masquerade ball.
Also confirmed is a cover of Coldplay’s “Life in Technicolor,” performed by the Vitamin String Quartet. The instrumental track is expected to underscore a montage sequence highlighting the vibrancy of the season’s new aesthetic.
Confirmed Part 1 Tracklist Highlights:
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“Enchanted” by Taylor Swift (Covered by Joseph William Morgan)
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“Life in Technicolor” by Coldplay (Covered by Vitamin String Quartet)
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“Bad Idea Right?” by Olivia Rodrigo (Covered by Caleb Chan)
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“All I Wanted” by Paramore (Covered by Vitamin String Quartet)
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“DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” by Usher ft. Pitbull (Covered by Strings From Paris)
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“Never Let You Go” by Third Eye Blind (Covered by Vitamin String Quartet)
The inclusion of Paramore’s “All I Wanted” suggests high emotional stakes, while the Usher cover hints that the ballroom scenes will retain the high energy of previous seasons.
Cast Recap: Who is Returning and Who is New?
As the Bridgerton family expands, the ensemble cast remains robust. Jonathan Bailey (Anthony) and Simone Ashley (Kate) are confirmed to return, bringing their Viscount and Viscountess charisma back to Mayfair. Nicola Coughlan (Penelope) and Luke Newton (Colin) also return, navigating their new life as parents and public figures after the Lady Whistledown reveal.
New Faces:
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Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek: The season’s female lead. Ha has spoken candidly about feeling “imposter syndrome” joining such a massive franchise but is excited to bring a grounded, resilient heroine to the screen.
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Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun: A twice-widowed, ambitious mother who serves as the primary antagonist to Sophie.
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Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei as Rosamund and Posy Li: Araminta’s daughters who debut into society this season.
Returning Favorites:
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Claudia Jessie (Eloise), Hannah Dodd (Francesca), and Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte) will all feature prominently.
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Victor Alli returns as John Stirling, Francesca’s husband, alongside Masali Baduza as his cousin Michaela Stirling, whose introduction in the Season 3 finale sparked major fan theories.
Release Schedule
Netflix is sticking to its successful split-season format for Bridgerton Season 4:
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Part 1 (Episodes 1-4): Premieres January 29, 2026.
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Part 2 (Episodes 5-8): Premieres February 26, 2026.
Episode titles for Part 1 have been revealed as: “The Waltz,” “Time Transfixed,” “The Field Next to the Other Road,” and “An Offer from a Gentleman.”
With the masquerade masks on and the violins tuned, the stage is set for what showrunner Jess Brownell calls the “most romantic and desperate” season yet.
Conclusion: A Season of Secrets and Silver
As Bridgerton Season 4 prepares to sweep audiences off their feet, the anticipation is palpable. By shifting the focus to Benedict—the artistic, free-spirited brother—and grounding his journey in a classic fairy tale narrative, the showrunners have revitalized the formula that made the series a global phenomenon.
This season promises to be a visual and auditory feast, blending the high-stakes societal maneuvering of Mayfair with the intimate, secret world of a forbidden romance. With a soundtrack that bridges the gap between Regency elegance and modern pop emotion, and a cast that combines beloved veterans with intriguing newcomers, Season 4 is poised to be the most magical installment yet. Whether you are tuning in for the “Lady in Silver” mystery, the orchestral Taylor Swift covers, or the return of the Viscount and Viscountess, one thing is certain: the ton is in for a scandalous delight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Bridgerton Season 4
Q1: When exactly does Bridgerton Season 4 premiere?
A: The season is split into two parts. Part 1 (Episodes 1-4) premieres on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Fans will have to wait one month for the conclusion, with Part 2 (Episodes 5-8) dropping on February 26, 2026.
Q2: Which Bridgerton sibling is the focus of Season 4?
A: This season focuses on the second eldest brother, Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson). The storyline follows his romance with Sophie Baek (played by Yerin Ha), adapting Julia Quinn’s third novel, An Offer From a Gentleman.
Q3: Are Anthony and Kate returning for Season 4?
A: Yes. Jonathan Bailey (Anthony) and Simone Ashley (Kate) are both confirmed to return. They will be featured as the heads of the Bridgerton household, navigating their happy marriage while guiding their younger siblings.
Q4: What songs are on the Season 4 soundtrack?
A: The Part 1 soundtrack features orchestral covers of major pop hits, including “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift, “Life in Technicolor” by Coldplay, “Bad Idea Right?” by Olivia Rodrigo, and “All I Wanted” by Paramore.
Q5: Who is the “Lady in Silver”?
A: The “Lady in Silver” is the mysterious woman Benedict meets at his mother’s masquerade ball. She is actually Sophie Baek, a maid who sneaks into the ball. Her identity becomes the central mystery of the first half of the season.
Q6: Why is the last name of the love interest “Baek” instead of “Beckett”?
A: In the book, the character is named Sophie Beckett. For the show, the character has been renamed Sophie Baek to reflect the Korean heritage of actress Yerin Ha. The showrunners have stated this change allows them to explore her backstory with more cultural depth while keeping the core Cinderella romance intact.
Q7: Will we see Francesca and John Stirling?
A: Yes, Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and her husband John Stirling (Victor Alli) are part of the season. The introduction of John’s cousin, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), at the end of Season 3 will also play a significant role in their storyline moving forward.
Q8: Is Regé-Jean Page (The Duke) returning?
A: No. There has been no indication that Regé-Jean Page will reprise his role as Simon Basset for Season 4. The character remains part of the show’s universe (mentioned as being at home with Daphne) but does not appear on screen.
