'Bridgerton' is officially returning for season 4 in 2026 - here's everything we know so far

The first trailer for season four of "Bridgerton" dropped on Christmas. The next season will focus on Benedict Bridgerton's love story with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). Returning cast members include Luke Newton, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Bailey, and Simone Ashley. Get your masks ready: Season four of " Bridgerton " is coming to Netflix in 2026. Part one premieres on January 29, and part two will come a month later on February 26. This season will follow the story of Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek in a "Cinderella"-esque tale. Season three of the Netflix series, which centered on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington's ( Nicola Coughlan ) , concluded with the release of relationship part two in June 2024. In giving Polin a happy ending, "Bridgerton" also teased that Benedict (Luke Thompson), the second-eldest sibling, would get the main character treatment next season. His status as the lead has officially been confirmed, and new details are slowly being announced - and now, fans are able to watch the first trailer for season four as a Christmas present from the streamer. Here's everything we know about season four of "Bridgerton" so far. Benedict's love story will be the focus of season 4 An official announcement about Benedict being the season four lead was made in July 2024. In a video posted by Netflix, Thompson is handed a suit for the masquerade ball. But eagle-eyed fans weren't surprised, because this was all teased in the season three finale that aired in June. As Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) prepared to head off to Scotland with Francesca Bridgerton ( Hannah Dodd ), John Stirling (Victor Alli), and Michaela Stirling ( Masali Baduza ) in the episode, she assured Benedict that she'd only be gone until next year. "Do you think Mama would ever let me miss her Masquerade Ball?" she said. Benedict, still not ready to settle down, replied, "I will be there, hiding out behind a mask, avoiding eligible ladies like the plague." That not-so-subtle moment was a nod to Benedict's novel "An Offer from a Gentleman," which is part of Julia Quinn's "Bridgerton" book series. In the third "Cinderella"-inspired book, Benedict meets a woman named Sophie Beckett at a masquerade ball. Unbeknownst to him, Sophie is a servant to a rude stepmother named Araminta Gunningworth. By the end of the novel, they express their love for each other and get married. The show has changed Sophie's last name from Beckett to Baek to reflect actor Yerin Ha's Korean heritage. "A name is the first bit of identity that you share with the world, and that's why changing a name can be so powerful," Ha told Tudum. "To make Sophie's name fit someone who looks like me is really empowering. All credit to Jess Brownell, our showrunner." Netflix's official logline for next season reads: "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...

Preview: ~500 words