Netflix’s Bridgerton returned on January 29, 2026, with the first half of Season 4, opening a new chapter that adapts Julia Quinn’s third novel, An Offer from a Gentleman. Part 1, which includes four episodes, shifts the spotlight to Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson, and introduces Sophie Baek, portrayed by Yerin Ha, in a Cinderella-inspired romance set against Regency London’s rigid class structure. From the opening masquerade ball hosted by Violet Bridgerton, the season establishes a lighter, more romantic mood that favors longing, identity, and emotional connection over the heavier sensuality of earlier installments, according to the storytelling choices visible on screen.
Across these episodes, the series leans into fairy-tale imagery and gentle humor while still engaging with social realities such as class divide and personal freedom. The split-release strategy, first used in Season 3, continues here, with Part 2 scheduled to arrive on February 26, 2026. Musical selections arranged in orchestral pop covers and a deliberate slow-burn structure reinforce the season’s more rom-com-adjacent direction, a creative approach previously outlined by showrunner Jess Brownell in promotional materials released alongside the season on Netflix.
Character Arcs That Shape the First Half
Lady Danbury and the Question of Departure:
Part 1 raises the possibility of Lady Danbury stepping back from her long-held role at the center of society. She communicates her wish to retire and visit her ancestral home in Africa, a place she left as a child. Queen Charlotte initially refuses the request, driven by fear of losing her closest companion. By the end of the fourth episode, Alice Mondrich accepts the position of Lady-in-Waiting, suggesting that Lady Danbury’s departure is being carefully prepared. Violet, not Lady Danbury, hosts the season’s first ball, and while future social gatherings are teased, no confirmation is given that Danbury will host another event in Part 2.
Queen Charlotte’s Self-Centered Struggle:
Queen Charlotte is portrayed as deeply lonely, and her resistance to Lady Danbury’s plans underscores a more vulnerable, selfish side of the monarch. This tension culminates in an emotional reconciliation, where the Queen acknowledges the impact of her actions, adding warmth and complexity to their long-standing friendship.
Eloise Bridgerton’s Restlessness:
Eloise continues to feel disconnected from the marriage-driven rhythms of the ton. Her boredom with society’s expectations leads her to help Benedict search for the mysterious woman from the masquerade while clashing with her younger sister Hyacinth, who calls out her apparent detachment from family duties.
Benedict and Sophie’s Central Romance:
At the heart of Part 1 is the evolving bond between Benedict and Sophie. Their masked meeting, unknowing reunion, and shared moments at the countryside cottage build toward an emotionally charged finale. Benedict’s offer, shaped by class conventions rather than malice, leaves Sophie hurt and unseen, closing Part 1 on a poignant pause that sets the stage for revelations and resolutions in the season’s second half.
