The Official Bridgerton Season 4 Cast List: 5 Major Stars Confirmed & The Shocking 2026 Release Date

Dearest Readers, the wait for the next grand romance of the ton is nearly over, and the official cast for Bridgerton Season 4 has finally been confirmed. As of December 2025, the spotlight shifts dramatically to the second Bridgerton brother, Benedict, whose long-anticipated Cinderella-inspired story will take center stage, featuring a brand-new leading lady who is set to captivate the hearts of millions. The new season promises to deliver the same opulent drama, grand balls, and scandalous secrets that have become the hallmark of the Shondaland universe, all leading up to a highly anticipated 2026 premiere.

The latest updates confirm that the fourth installment will be a direct adaptation of Julia Quinn's third novel, An Offer From a Gentleman, but with a major twist in the casting of the female lead. The season will explore Benedict’s quest for love, navigating the strictures of the Regency Era while searching for the mysterious woman he meets at a masked ball. The cast is a mix of beloved returning favorites and a fresh face ready to make a grand entrance.

The New Leads: Benedict Bridgerton & Sophie Baek Biography

The central love story for Season 4 belongs to Benedict Bridgerton and his love interest, Sophie Baek. The actors stepping into these pivotal roles are Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha, respectively. Their chemistry will define the next chapter of the hit Netflix series.

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Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton)

• Role: Benedict Bridgerton, the second eldest Bridgerton sibling, an artistic and free-spirited soul.
• Date of Birth: July 4, 1988
• Nationality: British
• Early Life: Born in Southampton, England, Thompson spent his childhood in France.
• Education: Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
• Notable Roles: Known for his extensive stage work, including performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company. On screen, he has appeared in Dunkirk (2017), In The Club, and Kiss Me First.

Yerin Ha (Sophie Baek)

• Role: Sophie Baek, the Season 4 female lead, a character inspired by the Cinderella archetype in the original novel.
• Date of Birth: c. 1994/1995
• Nationality: Korean-Australian
• Family Background: Her grandmother is a Korean actress and politician, and her parents met at drama school.
• Notable Roles: Gained international recognition for her role as Kwan Ha in the Paramount+ series Halo (2022–2024). She also starred in the Stan miniseries Bad Behaviour and made her film debut in the horror movie Sissy.

The Core Returning Cast: Kanthony, Polin, and The Matriarchs

While Benedict’s journey is the main focus, the tapestry of the ton relies on the continued presence of its most beloved and powerful characters. Fans will be relieved to know that the majority of the core cast will be returning, ensuring continuity for the established storylines, including the newly married couples and the ever-present drama of Lady Whistledown.

The return of the married couples, often referred to by their portmanteau names, is crucial. The presence of these familiar faces provides the necessary emotional depth and continuity for the series.

• Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton: The Viscount returns, likely offering his younger brother Benedict advice (or interference) on matters of the heart.
• Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma (Viscountess Bridgerton): Kate will continue her role as the new Viscountess, supporting Anthony and potentially guiding Benedict through his romantic tribulations.
• Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton: The newly engaged (or married) Colin will feature, navigating his new life with Penelope.
• Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington: Penelope, now officially in a relationship with Colin, will continue to manage her life as the newly exposed Lady Whistledown, creating a "juicy conflict" that will spill into the new season.
• Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton: Eloise's storyline will remain integral, particularly her complex relationship with Penelope and her own search for intellectual and personal freedom.

The pillars of the ton, the matriarchs who hold the social strings, are also confirmed to be back, ready to dissect every new scandal and debutante.

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• Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte: The Queen's presence guarantees the season will be filled with dazzling balls and her relentless pursuit of Lady Whistledown.
• Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury: Lady Danbury's sharp wit and wisdom will continue to influence the young members of the ton.
• Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton: The Dowager Viscountess will be focused on seeing her second son happily married, a task that will surely be complicated by Benedict's unconventional choices.
• Polly Walker as Lady Portia Featherington: Lady Featherington returns to manage her family's affairs, which are now inextricably linked to the Bridgertons through Colin and Penelope.

The Plot, Production Timeline, and Release Date: What to Expect

The transition from the book series to the screen often involves creative deviations, and Season 4 is no exception. The decision to focus on Benedict’s story, which is the third book in the series, after Colin’s (the fourth book) was a major surprise for fans of Julia Quinn’s novels.

The Cinderella Story Adaptation

The Season 4 plot is based on An Offer From a Gentleman, which is famously a Cinderella-like story. Benedict, an aspiring artist, meets a mysterious woman at a masked ball and is instantly smitten. The television adaptation is set to introduce a new character, Sophie Baek, who is the illegitimate daughter of an Earl. Her presence in the ton is a secret, and the resulting conflict—the high-society rake falling for a woman from a lesser station—is ripe for the kind of "juicy conflict" the showrunners have teased.

Filming and Release Timeline Entities

The production timeline for Season 4 was extensive, contributing to the extended wait for the new episodes. Filming began in late 2024 and officially wrapped production in May 2025.

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• Production Company: Shondaland (Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica)
• Showrunner: Jess Brownell
• Filming Locations: Various stately homes and studios across the United Kingdom.
• Release Date: The official release is slated for early 2026.
• Premiere Format: There are strong indications that the eight-episode season will be released in two parts, with Part 1 premiering on January 29, 2026.

This extended timeline means that the anticipation for Benedict's story—which promises to be one of the most romantic and class-defying in the entire series—will continue to build. The focus on Benedict's artistic temperament, coupled with Sophie’s hidden identity, sets the stage for a dramatic and emotionally resonant season that will keep Lady Whistledown busy well into the new year. The introduction of Yerin Ha as the new female lead, and the return of the entire Bridgerton family, ensures that Season 4 will be an essential watch for fans of the Regency Era drama.