Everything We Know About the Fourth Season of Bridgerton, From the Return of Beloved Characters to New Romances

Dearest gentle reader… We have stepped into the new year with a sense of anticipation fueled not only by fresh resolutions and the sparkle of new opportunities, but also by the thrilling return of one of Netflix’s most popular series, Bridgerton. Members of the Ton are slowly preparing for a new season filled with lavish balls, heart-stirring love stories, and, of course, scandals. If someone had told me I would thoroughly enjoy uncovering the dramas of a refined, fictional London society, well, I would have believed them. After all, how could you not love the 19th-century version of Gossip Girl?

Still, I must admit I was a little worried about the fourth season. Not because I doubt that Bridgerton can keep holding our attention, but because of one of the show’s ongoing issues: we can never grow too attached to the characters, since we can’t always expect them to return (Daphne and the Duke, I’m looking at you). However, the cast list for the new season pleasantly surprised me and restored my hope that a brilliant season, full of the elements (and characters) that made us fall in love with the series in the first place, awaits us. Burning with curiosity to find out who this season’s diamond will be and what will happen to Lady Whistledown, I dove into research to uncover everything currently known about the new season, whose first part premieres on January 29.

Courtesy of Netflix

What is Bridgerton Season 4 about?

Of course, the question that interests us the most is whom the Queen will name the diamond, and whether she will even do so at all, given everything that has happened with Lady Whistledown. It seems to me, though I can’t be certain, since only her fictional Majesty knows the answer, that all eyes are on Sophie, who, “scandalously,” is not a member of high society at all. However, a single appearance at a masked ball was enough for Benedict, the eldest unmarried member of the Bridgerton family, to fall head over heels in love with her. Considering that the series has already given us romance tropes such as fake dating, enemies to lovers, and friends to lovers, it was only a matter of time before we would see a love story between two people from different social classes. Honestly, for Benedict — who, like Eloise, has always been somewhat rebellious — I expected nothing less than this kind of thrilling romance.

Courtesy of Netflix

I thought that this season might finally be the time for Hyacinth to be presented to society, but it seems we will have to wait a little longer for her story, even though she and Eloise will play an important role in Benedict’s season. We will also meet two other prominent young ladies, Rosamund and Posy, the daughters of Lady Araminta Gun, for whom Sophie works as a maid. And besides them, other newcomers will be joining the Ton as well, such as the adorable son of Penelope and Colin Bridgerton.

Courtesy of Netflix

Who is in Bridgerton Season 4 cast?

In the words of Anthony Bridgerton, the bane of my existence is the fact that Daphne Bridgerton did not return in the third season — and will not be returning in the fourth either. All right, this doesn’t affect me quite as deeply as not being with Kate affected him, but I think all fans of the series can agree that it makes little sense for actors to leave the show after “their” season is over.

If this frustrates you as much as it does me, you’ll be happy to hear that Jonathan Bailey — who was named Sexiest Man Alive in 2025, a title fitting his character Anthony’s reputation — is returning for the fourth season, alongside Simone Ashley, who plays Kate Bridgerton. Luke Thompson returns as Benedict Bridgerton, the star of season four, while Luke Newton (Colin), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope), Claudia Jessie (Eloise), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth), Ruth Gemmell (Violet), and Will Tilston (Gregory) will ensure the whole family is present in the new season.

Courtesy of Netflix

And of course, the season wouldn’t be complete without the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel), Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), and Portia Featherington (Polly Walker). Sophie’s new employer will be played by Yerin Ha, and Lady Araminta Gun’s family (Katie Leung) will be portrayed by Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei.