Dearest Gentle Reader, the ton is abuzz with fresh gossip. It is said that a year feels like a lifetime, but after nearly two years without a glimmer of romance, this author feels rejuvenated with the long-awaited return of Bridgerton.
An adaptation of Julia Quinn’s third Bridgerton book, “An Offer from a Gentleman“, season four focuses on the second Bridgerton son, Benedict (Luke Thompson), who has had the freedom to indulge in a bohemian lifestyle filled with art, booze and a polyamorous love life. But with several of his siblings – including two younger ones – now married, the ton has their eyes set on him as its most eligible bachelor. At his family’s masquerade ball, he immediately falls for a Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha) – unknown to him as Sophie Baek, the maid of the Gun family led by matriarch Araminta (Katie Leung).
The introduction of an ESEA family in Shonda Rhimes’ Regency London is a welcome one. Since the show’s 2020 release, its stance on colourblind casting has allowed talented actors to perform on a global scale, and an ESEA family – that also includes newcomer Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei, star of British-Chinese drama High Wire – is another tick in the show’s creatively diverse casting.
Read more: Bridgerton Star Yerin Ha on Intimate Scenes: ‘Without Fear, You Won’t Grow’
But their heritage and culture aren’t prominently highlighted as expected – in season two, Kate Sharma’s love of India is evident through her childhood memories and hatred of English tea. However, the Anglicised Gun family have yet to display aspects of Asian culture, so hopefully this will come through in part two.
Regardless, it is back to business in Bridgerton. Set amid the sun-kissed streets of London, Colin and Penelope are embracing parenthood and the latter’s role as the ton’s most prolific columnist, while Queen Charlotte is eager for gossip. Amid Benedict’s search for the mysterious Lady in Silver, part one introduces hints to Julia Quinn’s other Bridgerton books to seemingly future-proof the series’ narrative. Aspects such as Eloise’s views on marriage and Francesca’s relationship with Lord Kilmartin, as well as Violet’s interest in Marcus Andersen, see the characters’ perspectives on love mature with a touch of modernity as the show goes on, quietly appealing to covert haters of classic romance.
The choice to highlight Benedict after three seasons is smart – in earlier seasons, Thompson has proven himself to be comical and charismatic, creating some of the funniest moments on the show. This stems from Benedict’s lack of interest when it comes to settling down – in his own words, he is a ‘free spirit’, and doesn’t take romance seriously, causing him to revel in his siblings’ issues in finding love.
As a result, seeing him infatuated with a mystery woman in season four marks an adorable change in direction. This is also thanks to the addition of Ha, whose wonderfully grounded performance as Sophie offers a great foil for Thompson. She delivers a frankness and wit that present Sophie as a strong-willed character, but when she shares moments with Thompson, the gentle direction and intimate visuals create an endearing, slow-burning chemistry between them that shows two people genuinely enjoying each other’s company – only to crash down through three little words.
Meanwhile, Leung’s Araminta replaces Cressida Cowper as the show’s primary antagonist – clad in black, she effortlessly embodies the coldness of an opportunistic parent with an exacting aura of merciless and sharp tongue. She notably presents herself as the story’s ‘Wicked Godmother’, with Mao and Wei complementing her as Araminta’s daughters, the equally narcissistic Rosamund and overlooked yet comical Posy.
Part I of Bridgerton season four is a sweet yet occasionally scandalous return with Thompson and Ha anchoring the romance. With butterflies in the air, time will tell if they continue to flutter in Part II.
