The Official Bridgerton Season 4 Release Date Is NOT 2025: Everything You Need To Know About The 2026 Premiere

The wait for the next chapter in the scandalous lives of the Bridgerton family is almost over, but fans hoping for a 2025 debut are facing a slight disappointment. As of this current date, December 18, 2025, official announcements from Netflix and Shondaland have firmly set the premiere of Bridgerton Season 4 for early 2026. This highly anticipated return to the Regency Era will follow the romantic journey of a fan-favorite sibling, promising all the drama, dazzling balls, and orchestral pop covers we’ve come to expect. The production timeline, which recently concluded filming, confirms the series is now deep into post-production, locking in a specific, two-part release schedule that will make the new year one to remember.

The delay past the 2025 window, while frustrating for the Ton, is a direct result of the meticulous, large-scale production required to bring the world of Lady Whistledown to life, coupled with Netflix’s strategy of splitting major season releases. The good news is that the official dates are locked in, and the focus of the new season is confirmed, setting the stage for a compelling new romance that has been a long time coming for dedicated readers of Julia Quinn’s novels.

The Confirmed Bridgerton Season 4 Release Date and Timeline

The biggest news for the Ton is the official, two-part release schedule for the fourth season. Netflix has adopted this split-season strategy for its biggest hits, and Bridgerton Season 4 is no exception, ensuring fans have two distinct viewing events to look forward to.

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• Part 1 Release Date: The first four episodes of Bridgerton Season 4 will premiere on January 29, 2026.
• Part 2 Release Date: The final four episodes will follow a month later on February 26, 2026.

This schedule confirms that while 2025 was the year of production and anticipation, 2026 will be the year of the grand premiere. The extensive time between the end of filming and the release date—a period known as post-production—is crucial for the series’ signature look, involving complex editing, color grading, musical scoring, and visual effects to create the opulent world of the Ton.

Production and Post-Production Milestones

The rigorous timeline of the series is a key factor in its release schedule. For those tracking the process, the production phase has officially concluded, meaning the show is now being polished for its global debut.

• Filming Start: Production for Season 4 officially began in September 2024.
• Filming Wrap: Principal photography concluded around May/June 2025.
• Current Status (December 2025): The series is currently in the final stages of post-production.

This timeline, which involves nearly a year of filming followed by a substantial post-production period, is typical for a show of Bridgerton’s scale and quality, solidifying why a 2025 release was ultimately unattainable.

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The Focus of Season 4: Benedict Bridgerton’s Love Story

Following the romance of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington (Polin) in Season 3, the spotlight now shifts to the next sibling in line: the artistic, free-spirited, and second eldest brother, Benedict Bridgerton.

The fourth season is confirmed to be based on the third book in Julia Quinn’s series, *An Offer From a Gentleman*, which was skipped over in the show's original sequence. This narrative choice has delighted many book fans who have long awaited Benedict’s pivotal storyline.

The New Central Couple: Benedict and Sophie

The core romance of Season 4 will be between Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson, and his enigmatic love interest, Sophie Baek, played by new cast member Yerin Ha.

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The story is a classic Cinderella-esque tale. Benedict, disillusioned with the rigid expectations of the Ton, attends a masquerade ball where he meets a mysterious woman who captures his heart. This woman is Sophie, the illegitimate daughter of an Earl, who is forced into servitude by her cruel stepmother. The core conflict revolves around Benedict’s quest to find his masked maiden and the societal barriers that separate them.

What’s Next for Polin and Returning Fan Favorites?

While Benedict’s journey is the main focus, the show has established a tradition of continuing the stories of its previous leads. Fans of the newly married Colin and Penelope will be relieved to know they are not disappearing from the narrative.

The Polin Aftermath and Lady Whistledown’s Fate

The biggest cliffhanger from Season 3 involved Penelope Featherington's secret identity as the notorious gossip columnist, Lady Whistledown, finally being revealed to Colin. Season 4 will explore the dramatic aftermath of this revelation.

Showrunner teases suggest that Colin and Penelope will be "fully Polin" in the new season, navigating their marriage while dealing with the fallout of Penelope’s double life. There is speculation that the Ton will react strongly to the news of Lady Whistledown’s true identity, forcing the couple to face external pressure together.

Returning Bridgerton and Sharma Families

Several other beloved characters are confirmed to return, ensuring the continuity of the sprawling Bridgerton family saga:

• Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley): The Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton, the couple from Season 2, are expected to return, likely providing guidance to Benedict and continuing their own quiet married life.
• The Bridgerton Matriarch: Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) will undoubtedly continue her role as the guiding force for her children, particularly Benedict, as he searches for true love.
• Queen Charlotte: Golda Rosheuvel’s iconic portrayal of Queen Charlotte will return, presiding over the new social season and the inevitable drama of the Ton.

The intertwining of these storylines—the fresh romance of Benedict and Sophie, the newlywed life of Polin, and the established love of Anthony and Kate—will ensure the fourth season is a rich tapestry of drama, romance, and scandal when it finally premieres in 2026.