The beloved series on Netflix, Bridgerton, has returned for season 4 of the show, with the love story of the second-oldest son of the Bridgerton family. Let's look at what the viewers had to say.
Netflix’s beloved series Bridgerton has returned for a season 4 of the show, with the love story of the second-oldest son of the Bridgerton family. The series has been running successfully for three seasons, and the audience is excited to see what Shondaland brings for them with the new season.
The first part of the new season has finally released on Netflix, and there have been mixed reactions from the audience. The series, though, still savours its grace, charm and sophisticated touch; the latest love story left the viewers in a state of giving no reaction. The second part of the season, however, will release on February 26, 2026.
Dearest, gentle reader, 'Lady Whistledown' is ready to go about the ton once again, collecting gossip and uncovering secrets. This season, it is 'Benedict Bridgerton', the wanderer, free-spirited second son of the Bridgerton household and his mystery girl with the silver dress, that has the whole town wondering his intentions.
With each season, the stakes for the makers rise higher than the one before. With the audience still not over the romance between 'Colin' and 'Penelope' and the epic reveal of 'Penelope' as 'Lady Whistledown', the makers have given them another couple to fawn over. The story revolves around 'Benedict Bridgerton' and his first serious romance with a mystery lady whom he meets at the ball hosted by 'Lady Bridgerton'. The two wander off for a moment alone out on the terrace, when suddenly the lady runs off, leaving only her silver glove with 'Benedict'.
Ever since the first part of the season was released, viewers have been divided over how it played out. There is chemistry, the long stares, the longing for each other, the physical and emotional connection, but what it's missing the most is the yearning for one another, the slow touches. While the show retains its foundational theme of a love story that unfolds naturally with a little bit of drama and eager mamas wanting to pair their daughters with the eligible bachelor, it feels predictable and more or less the same.
For some viewers, the predictability makes catching up with the storyline easier and the show binge-worthy; some were hoping for a gradual shift. Although the makers did try to give 'Benedict' and 'Sophie’s' story a bit of a Cinderella touch, they may just be reaching too far with the hidden identity of Sophie.
This season, the story does not stick particularly to the couple in question or just the elite families; it brings in the regularities of every household. An ageing and aching queen who longs for her friend, scared of losing her husband anytime soon, the maid wars, and the new 'Penwood family'. It uncovers what is hidden behind the clean, sophisticated curtain of the families. It deals with 'Eloise' wanting to escape the eyes and approach of the gentlemen, 'Hyacinth' learning the ways of being a poised woman and presenting herself in society, 'Benedict' dealing with being in love and wanting to settle down for the first time, feminism, equality between the ladies and the maids.
The show also deals with marital conversations and the need to be more compliant, forthcoming and honest in a marriage. The talk between 'Franchesca' and 'Kilmartin' wanting to try to be more spontaneous in their life, 'Franchesca’s' yearning to achieve a pinnacle in the bedroom, shows how simple, honest conversations can bring you closer to your partner. The show also deals with 'Lady Bridgerton' wanting to do something for herself and her newfound romance, but she is conscious of her body. She takes the bold step and finally agrees to a private meeting with her beau and feels contented and happy.
The show has warmth, comfort, spontaneity, familiarity and moves away from the typical, regent London nobility theme. The season also saw the queen making Penelope her personal gossip advisor after her identity as Lady Whistledown was revealed. She deflects from announcing the diamond of the season and instead announces the benedict as the bachelor of the season despite Penelope’s protestations about Benedict.
In Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton is introduced, quite plainly, as a rake; even his own mother, Lady Violet, admits it. As the second son, he enjoys a certain freedom that his elder brother Anthony doesn’t. While the Viscount is weighed down by duty and responsibility, Benedict feels no pressure to behave or conform.
One morning, Lady Violet storms into his bedroom only to find him on the edge of a scandal: asleep with one woman in his bed and another lounging nearby. Unbothered by the shock, Benedict calmly declares that marriage is not for him. The women of the ton, he claims, may be beautiful, but they all want the same predictable future marriage, status and respectability. To him, they lack excitement, individuality, and passion.
Benedict sees himself as different. He wants adventure, creativity, and a life beyond polite society. Whether this makes him refreshingly honest or simply a privileged man romanticising rebellion is to be seen, but this definitely makes him a character to watch.
In Bridgerton, Sophie Baek instantly stands out. Played with charm and quiet confidence by Yerin Ha, she catches Benedict’s attention precisely because she doesn’t belong to the regular regent society. While he’s surrounded by ambitious debutantes eager for a proposal, Sophie feels like a breath of fresh air. Disguised as the mysterious Lady in Silver, she admits she isn’t looking for marriage and can barely dance.
Their connection is immediate, and Benedict confesses that he feels like an imposter in high society, and Sophie, clearly an outsider herself, understands. A masked kiss follows the night of the ball hosted by Benedict's mother, full of promise and possibility. Sophie is essentially the 21st-century Cinderella. She is the illegitimate daughter of Lord Penwood and, after his death, is reduced to a maid by her cold, controlling stepmother, throw in two stepsisters, and we have a complete picture, one tolerable, the other decidedly unpleasant.
The lost glove soon becomes Benedict’s version of a glass slipper. Determined, and for once genuinely romantic, he searches from ball to ball, questioning debutantes in the hope of finding the one woman who made him believe that love, not duty or rebellion, might finally be worth choosing.
Bridgerton season 4 part 1 is streaming now on Netflix!
Also read: 'Dhurandhar' On OTT, How Much Netflix Has Spent For The Streaming Rights Of Ranveer Singh's Film?