Bridgerton season 3 was yet another slam-dunk for Netflix, drawing in new fans to the Regency-era romance series.

Based on the novels by Julia Quinn, each season focuses on a different couple, following their ups and downs as they try to find happiness in a high-pressure society. 2024’s instalment followed the tale of Penelope Fetherington and Colin Bridgerton and explored how Lady Whistledown fit into their complex relationship.

If you’ve binged the show and are now wondering what comes next, then never fear. Here’s everything you need to know about Bridgerton season 4, including the release date, the couple we’re following next, and which cast members are expected to return.

You can also check out our picks of the best shows and movies available on Netflix this month, and the five most ridiculous things about Bridgerton.

Spoilers for Bridgerton season 3 parts one and two below

When will Bridgerton season 4 be released?

The fourth season of Bridgerton has eight episodes, which will arrive in two parts.

• Part 1 will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, 29 January 2026
• Part 2 will be released on Thursday, 26 February 2026

The show is exclusive to Netflix – you can sign up for an account on the website, with prices starting from $6.99/£4.99 per month.

Here’s the official date announcement:

Who is the next Bridgerton lead couple?

Netflix has officially confirmed that season 4 will be based on the third book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, An Offer from a Gentleman. Therefore, the story will focus on Benedict Bridgerton, portrayed by Luke Thompson, who had a major side plot in the latest instalment.

The second-eldest brother explored his free-spirited and curious nature with a polyamorous fling with Lady Tilley Arnold and her friend Paul in season 3.

It was Benedict’s first experience with a man, and he enjoyed the fluidity of the affair. When Tilley wanted to take their relationship further by going exclusive as a couple, the Bridgerton sibling confessed that he wasn’t ready for that. He wanted more time to be free, and not be tied down by society just yet.

In An Offer From a Gentleman, the love interest for Benedict is Sophie. We’ve not yet met this character in the show, but the brother meets her at a masquerade ball, and the tale that follows is inspired by Cinderella. Jess Brownell, Bridgerton showrunner, told The Wrap the following:

At the end of Season 3, Eloise says to Benedict that she’s going to be home in a few months for Violet’s masquerade ball, so there will be a masquerade ball coming up shortly

Actor Luke Thompson confirmed that Benedict is pansexual to Bustle. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Benedict’s story made more complex and nuanced to adapt to his on-screen journey.

Here’s a sneak peek of season 4:

According to Luke Thompson:

What’s striking about Season 4 is that it’s the struggle between a proper old-school fairy tale – the romance of it – and the actual reality of the world. Season 4 pulls back the curtain of the over-the-top households of the ton, and introduces some of the people who keep these aristocratic clans running. Both are true. You have to hold both of them – the romance and the reality – in your hand. In its best version, ‘true love’ happens in the middle of that.

Yerin Ha, who stars as Sophie, added:

What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles – something that she constantly has to overcome. Whether it’s this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict.

Here’s the second sneak peek that gives you a taste of the famous Lady Bridgerton’s masquerade ball:

What else could happen in Bridgerton season 4?

This is Bridgerton, so there will be plenty of other side plots in the pipeline that may develop into the following instalment, season 5.

The sixth Bridgerton sibling, Francesca, stepped up in a big way in 2024. The character was recast, with Hannah Dodd taking over from Ruby Stokes.

This year, Francesca’s goal was to find a husband. As usual, Lady Bridgerton was set on finding her the perfect match who she fell head over heels for. However, Francesca seemed perfectly content finding a partner who gave her a quiet life, even if there was no burning desire.

She ended up wed to Lord John Stirling, and the pair had a very easy relationship and left Mayfair for John’s estate in Scotland. However, Francesca’s world appears to be rocked when she is introduced to Michaela Stirling, John’s cousin, before their farewell.

She is left lost for words, just as her mother Violet was when she met her late husband, Viscount Edmund Bridgerton. Michaela is a gender-swapped version of Michael Stirling – a huge character in the book When He Was Wicked.

The showrunner explains more in an interview with Netflix’s site, Tudum:

I think a lot of people will ship Francesca and John — as do I. But part of her exploration going forward will be about whether or not there is in fact something missing.

Focusing on a queer couple would be a huge step for the series and is a priority for the showrunner, according to Refinery29. With Benedict as the lead, it would also mean that two LGBTQI+ siblings are the focus of the season.

In addition, shaking up the typical London scenery for a grand castle in Scotland would be a change of pace, and a compelling side-plot to complement Benedict.

Eloise also joined Francesca in Scotland and has been a prominent supporting figure throughout the show, especially to both Penelope and Colin.

The second-eldest sister in the family accompanied Francesca and John to Scotland, so she could experience fresh scenery and step outside of her comfort zone. Brownell told The Wrap that Eloise is not interested in romance at the moment, which should come as no surprise considering her outspoken, feminist nature.

Netflix

As Jess Brownell puts it:

I think it’s absolutely possible that she’s going to open up to love in the future, but we have a little bit more we want to do with her before she’s ready for that.

Therefore, Eloise will likely be a supportive figure for Benedict, but her romance will be on the back burner for now.

The series, written by Julia Quinn, consists of eight novels, and Netflix has so far filmed only three (plus the Queen Charlotte prequel). There is still a lot of material waiting to be adapted and ahead of fans, there are many adventures of the Bridgerton family members.

What happened at the end of Bridgerton season 3?

The key reveal at the end of the latest season of Bridgerton was that Penelope announced that she was Lady Whistledown to not just the Queen, but the whole of society.

Her identity began to unravel when Cressida claimed to be the renowned gossip columnist to claim a reward and get out of a marriage she hated. Penelope went to disprove the lies but was caught on the way to the printer shop by her fiancé, Colin.

The Bridgerton sibling felt betrayed by her lies, and though he agreed to marry her to keep his honour, their first few days as husband and wife got off to a rocky start.

When Cressida did some more digging, she found out Whistledown’s true identity. She blackmailed Penelope, who had to scramble to find a way through the mess. Colin tried to take control of the situation, but just made things worse.

Netflix

Penelope finally decided to come clean and explain why her alias gave her a voice in society. Her husband, family and friends were proud of her decision, and she continued to write, just under her real name rather than her false one.

In a flash-forward, we saw that Penelope and Colin had a baby, a boy who inherited the Lord Fetherington title to carry on the family name.

Meanwhile, Kate and Anthony went to India to visit Edwina, and were expecting their first child before they went. Therefore, we may see more Bridgerton babies in season 4. Violet is also exploring a possible relationship with Lady Danbury’s brother, Lord Marcus Anderson.

Which cast members will return for Bridgerton season 4?

Here’s the list of the actors and actresses who will return in the fourth instalment of the show:

• Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton
• Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton  
• Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma
• Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
• Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton
• Victor Alli as John Stirling
• Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
• Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley
• Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling
• Hannah Dodd as Francesca Stirling
• Daniel Francis as Lord Marcus Anderson
• Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton
• Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton
• Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton
• Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich
• Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton
• Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich
• Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
• Hugh Sachs as Brimsley
• Polly Walker as Portia Featherington

Julie Andrews will return as the voice of Lady Whistledown.

Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor did not appear in season 3 as the Duke and Duchess of Hastings, so a return for season 4 would be unexpected.

Take a look at the first set photos below: