Netflix’s hit period drama, Bridgerton, has reportedly found its Sophie Beckett in Korean-Australian actress Yerin Ha. Ha will portray the love interest of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) in the upcoming fourth season, based on Julia Quinn’s third Bridgerton novel, An Offer From a Gentleman.
The official logline for the season teases a captivating encounter: “Benedict is loath to settle down — until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother’s masquerade ball.” This Lady in Silver is none other than Sophie Beckett, the illegitimate daughter of an earl, brought up in her father’s house but never publicly acknowledged.
Read more: ‘Past Lives’ Star Greta Lee Says ‘Tron: Ares’ is “Culturally Relevant to Us Now”
Ha, 29, is perhaps best known to American audiences for her role in the Paramount+ series adaptation of the Halo video games. She has also appeared in several Australian shows and the independent horror film Sissy. She will next be seen in the Max prequel series Dune: Prophecy, slated to air in November.
Born into a family of actors, Ha’s passion for the craft was ignited early on. As she shared with Australian Vogue, “My grandma’s an actor and my parents met each other in acting school, so I’ve always grown up with this knowledge of what theatre and screen are, so that’s something I was always interested in.” Her journey led her from Sydney to South Korea, where she underwent rigorous training at a performing arts school.
Ha has been a vocal advocate for broader representation on screen, even before Bridgerton made waves with its diverse casting. In 2019, she expressed her hope for a time when people from diverse backgrounds could take on leading roles, not just be relegated to stereotypes.
“Hopefully there’s a time where we can actually see [people of multiple backgrounds] playing the girlfriend, the romantic lead…audiences are still not used to seeing that amount of diversity on screen or stage,” she said
Ha carries the wisdom of her grandmother, the famous Korean actress Son Sook, who advised her to “be brave, be courageous and stand up for what you believe in.” Despite her growing success, Ha remains grounded and committed to her craft.
Read more: From ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ to ‘Wicked’, Director Jon M Chu Is “Redefining What the American Dream Is”
Showrunner Jess Brownell expressed her excitement about Benedict’s upcoming love story, stating, “It felt important for him to explore the fullness of himself before he settles down. He is someone who has big appetites, and we wanted to see him living a big life before he goes into settle-down mode. I’m excited for where we’re going with him in Season 4.”
Bridgerton has become a global phenomenon, ranking among the most popular shows in Netflix history. The show’s success has been attributed to its diverse casting and captivating storylines. With Yerin Ha joining the cast as Sophie Beckett, Season 4 promises to be another exciting chapter in the Bridgerton saga, further pushing the boundaries of representation on screen
Netflix has not yet announced a premiere date for Bridgerton season 4. However, fans can rest assured that the new season is already in production, and they can expect to see Benedict and Sophie’s love story unfold in the near future.
