Bridgerton season 4's potential 2026 arrival, who the new lead is, and more details you need to know

Another season of Bridgerton has come to an end, and that means we now go through the painful wait for another one to arrive! The third season brought with it high-stakes, Colin and Penelope's love story, and so much more. And I know that Bridgerton season 4 is going to be an exciting one, indeed! While the wait is going to be a long one, we have some information to tide us over. And be sure to bookmark this page as we'll be adding new information as it comes. Ready to dive in? Let's get into all the details about the fourth season!

The new season probably won't arrive until 2026

Yup, you read that correctly. Bridgerton season 4 is most likely to premiere sometime in 2026. If I had to take a guess I'd say that it'll probably come out in May or June of that year just like season 3. In speaking with The Hollywood Repoerter, showrunner Jess Brownwell said that it's going to be at least two years between the release of the third season and the new one. This aligns with the drop of the previous Bridgerton seasons as well. Here's what she had to say:

"We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language,” she continued. “And the writing takes a very long time as well, so we’re kind of on a two-year pace, we’re trying to speed up, but somewhere in that range."

The good news is that filming has officially begun! Check out our article about this news, and see Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha together! As Brownwell mentioned, it takes about eight months to film which is a long stretch. While they are trying to make things go faster, I really do think that we're just going to have to wait until 2026 unfortunately. Patience is a virtue, dear reader. Season 4 will be a total of 8 episodes.

The next lead is Benedict Bridgerton!

Netflix announced on July 23, 2024 that Benedict Bridgerton will be our new lead in Bridgerton season 4, and we absolutely can't wait. This is definitely the right move, especially since his story was skipped over for Penelope and Colin's. For more information, click here. And watch the video announcement below:

Plus we officially have our Sophie Beckett, or Sophie Baek as her name has been changed for the series since the new lead actress, Yerin Ha, is Korean. Check out a glimpse of Ha admiring the costumes, especially some very special gloves that come into play. Here's the logline for the new season:

"The fourth season of Bridgerton turns its focus to bohemian second son Benedict (Luke Thompson). Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down -- until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother's masquerade ball."

Honestly after the introduction of Michaela Stirling and the emphasis on Francesca and John's story in the third season, the series really managed to surprise me! If you asked me before who the next lead could be, I would have told you the only contenders are either Benedict or Eloise. I would have leaned more towards Benedict just because he was skipped over this season for Penelope and Colin, though that's not the order of the books. Thankfully, it's finally his turn!

Brownwell and executive producer Shonda Rhimes have mentioned that they actually have an idea of who they want to lead Bridgerton seasons 5 and 6, even though Netflix has not renewed the show that far out yet. Though Rhimes has mentioned that she's committed to adapting all eight Bridgerton books. So hopefully Netflix will be on board as well. Though I don't see why the streamer wouldn't be. The Regency-era drama is one of its most popular shows. Here's the Bridgerton books in order:

1.  The Duke and I (Daphne)
2.  The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony)
3. An Offer from a Gentleman (Benedict)
4.  Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Colin)
5. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise)
6. When He Was Wicked (Francesca)
7. It's In His Kiss (Hyacinth)
8.  On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory)

The cast expected to return

Most of the Bridgertons will all be back with Lady Violet back as the Bridgerton matriarch, while she may strike up a new romance with Lord Anderson. Plus, there's Benedict, Eloise, Gregory, and Hyacinth who are still unmarried. Brownwell told Variety that we might be seeing Eloise in Scotland, so that also means Francesca, John, and Michaela will be there too. Jonathan Bailey has already confirmed he'll be back as Anthony in the fourth season.

We do know that Penelope and Lady Whistledown are going to be a part of Bridgerton season 4, though in what capacity now that that the secret is out is unknown. Colin will also pop in, and Simone Ashley has expressed interest in returning when schedules allow as Kate. One character I honestly don't want to see more of but the creative team plans to bring back is Cressida. Apparently we're not done with her story just yet.

Below we shared the cast members who have been confirmed for Bridgerton season 4, those who might return, and which ones aren't coming back.

Confirmed:

• Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet
• Luke Thompson as Benedict
• Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek (new)
• Claudia Jessie as Eloise
• Hannah Dodd as Francesca
• Victor Alli as John Stirling
• Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling
• Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
• Sam Clemmett as Brimsley (now series regular)
• Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
• Daniel Francis as Lord Marcus Anderson
• Jonathan Bailey as Anthony
• Luke Newton as Colin
• Nicola Coughlan as Penelope
• Will Tilston as Gregory
• Florence Hunt as Hyacinth
• Polly Walker as Portia Featherington
• Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich
• Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich (now series regular)
• Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown
• Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun (new)
• Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li (new)
• Isabella Wei as Posy Li (new)

Not confirmed but likely to return:

• Simone Ashley as Kate
• Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper
• Cristina Pereira as Madame Delacroix

Likely not to return:

• Bessie Carter as Prudence
• Harriet Cains as Philippa
• Lorn Macdonald as Albion Finch
• James Phoon as Harry Dankworth
• Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne
• Regé-Jean Page as Simon

7 things that happened in Bridgerton season 3 to remember

• After Penelope confronts Colin about what he said at the end of season 2, he tries to make it up to her by giving her lessons to help her speak with potential suitors as she's ready to find a husband.
• The fact that they're doing the lessons gets out to the ton pretty quickly, but Lord Debling is still interested in Penelope and a viable suitor. He almost proposes but Colin gets in the way when he realizes his feelings. That's when the steamy carriage ride happens.
• Penelope and Colin get engaged, the whole family is happy except for Eloise who is now friends with Cressida Cowper. Plus, Cressida is under pressure to find a husband this season or she'll have to marry a friend of her father's.
• Colin and Penelope sleep together before they're married in the house that will be their home after they tie the knot. Eloise gives Penelope a deadline of telling Colin the truth about Lady Whistledown. But before she does, Cressida sees an out in her situation and claims she is the author as Queen Charlotte is offering a reward to anyone who can lead her to the writer.
• Penelope and Eloise make up of sorts and she rushes to the printer to discredit Cressida. That's when Colin follows Penelope and finds out she's the one who's Lady Whistledown. Though he's angry, the two still go through the wedding but he tries to stay away from her as much as possible because she's not willing to give up her pen. Cressida ultimately finds out Penelope is the true author and blackmails her.
• Eloise, Colin, and Portia are the only ones who know the Lady Whistledown secret at this moment and try to find a way out. At her sisters' ball, Penelope admits to Queen Charlotte and the rest of the ton that she's Lady Whistledown. Most accept it since the queen does, but that might not last. The season ends with Colin publishing the book he's been writing, with the help of Penelope, the two had a son who's the new Lord Featherington (meaning the estate will stay within the family after that solicitor was poking around), and Penelope signing her Lady Whistledown issue as "Penelope Featherington."
• Elsewhere this season, Violet and Lady Danbury's brother Lord Marcus Anderson are starting a relationship; Kate and Anthony are expecting and have headed to India; after Benedict's threesome with Lady Tilley and Paul he's realized he likes his freedom, Francesca and Lord John Stirling get married but she instantly becomes attracted to his cousin Michaela Stirling; Eloise is headed to Scotland with Francesca and the Stirling's to explore a bit of the world; the Mondrich family is now noble thanks to their son now becoming a duke; and Cressida's fate is up in the air on whether she's headed to Wales with her aunt or somewhere by herself.

Stay tuned to Show Snob as we bring you updates about Bridgerton season 4 on Netflix!