The smash-hit Regency Era romance has kept heart fluttering for three seasons already, and Netflix has preemptively renewed Bridgerton for season 4. Based on the book series by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton concerns the various of the titular family who strike out and try to find love on the "ton" during the Regency Era of English history. Known for its colorful designs and anachronistic approach to its historical subject, Bridgerton has wooed audiences with its charm and steamy romance since it debuted on Netflix in 2020.

Yet another feather in Netflix's cap, Bridgerton quickly became one of the streamer's most popular programs and its reputation has grown in the years since. A spinoff was produced in 2023 entitled Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and the streaming juggernaut became a franchise before it even released a third season. The best period dramas are always lavish spectacles, but Bridgerton has managed to up the ante and has spurred on a boom in anachronistic period pieces. Netflix's preemptive renewal for season 4 means fans won't have to worry, and Bridgerton's future seems secure.

Bridgerton Season 4 Latest News

New Images From Season 4 Are Revealed

As the wait continues for the show's return, the latest news arrives as new images from Bridgerton season 4. The duo of images were shared via the official Bridgerton on X (formerly Twitter), and offer a clue to some interesting deviations from the novel An Offer From A Gentleman. One image features Eloise and Penelope strolling the streets of London while talking, but the other introduces newcomers Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and Posy Li (Isabella Wei). The pair are Sophie Baek's step-sisters, and they are very much a send-up to Cinderella's wicked step-sisters from the classic fairy tale.

The image is unique because it teases a scene in which Benedict's sisters, Hyacinth and Eloise, host Sophie's siblings, but things clearly aren't going well. This scene isn't from the book, and suggests that season 4's scope will extend beyond the confines of the novel. How the story changes will factor into the story remains unclear, but more details are expected soon.

See the images here:

Bridgerton Season 4 Is Confirmed (And The Book Is Chosen)

Netflix Preemptively Renewed Season 4 & The Book In Focus Is Set

Unlike other series which leave their fans twisting in the wind for months as they wait to learn the fate of their favorite show's future, Netflix made the early decision to renew Bridgerton. Following the success of season 2, the streamer wasted no time when preemptively renewing Bridgerton for seasons 3 and 4 simultaneously. Though the future beyond season 4 is still undecided, more seasons of the Regency Era romance are likely in the works.

Bridgerton season 3 part 1 premiered on May 16, 2024, followed by part 2 on June 13, 2024.

With buzz still fresh surrounding the third season of Netflix's big hit, season 4 has already stolen the spotlight with the announcement that Benedict will be the subject of the next story. This means the book being adapted for the seasons is presumably Quinn's An Offer from a Gentleman, the third in the publication order. To commemorate the start of filming in September 2024, Netflix shared an image of Ha and Benedict star Luke Thompson together for the first time. See the post by Netflix on X (formerly Twitter) below:

Bridgerton Season 4 Production Status

Filming Has Begun On The New Season

Filming on the new season of Bridgerton began in September 2024, which means that the season will not release until late 2025 or 2026, with some speculation that the show may aim for a December or February release. Past seasons have released in December, March, and May, so a winter/spring release is highlight likely. In addition, showrunner Jess Brownell explained in June that there is a lengthy process between the start of filming and the release of the show (via The Hollywood Reporter).

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. 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.

A two-year pace would have season 4 release sometime in spring of 2026.

Bridgerton Season 4 Cast

Penelope & Colin Are Already Confirmed To Return

Penelope and Colin will return in Bridgerton season 4 - and with Penelope being Lady Whistledown, it would be impossible to imagine the show without her! Though the size and scope of their roles are unknown, this means Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton will be back to reprise their roles.

A few near-certain returns include the likes of Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury, and most of the Bridgerton clan should also be back. Jonathan Bailey's Anthony Bridgerton found his true love in Kate (Simone Ashley) in season 2, and Bailey is confirmed to return in season 4 alongside Ashley's Kate. Meanwhile, Benedict (Luke Thompson), and Eloise (Claudia Jessie), have yet to have their romantic moments in the sun, so they'll need to reprise their roles. Hannah Dodd's sca, meanwhile, had a romance in season 3, but fans of the book will know that this is only the beginning of her story.

In a radical change established at the end of Bridgerton season 3, it seems Julie Andrews may not return as the voice of narrator Lady Whistledown, after Penelope dropped her persona to continue her society paper under her own name. The question of whether Anthony and Kate will actually return from India is also a pressing one, but Anthony's responsibility as Viscount and head of his family means he can't stay away forever.

One new character we know will play some part in Bridgerton season 4 is Masali Baduza's Michaela Stirling, who immediately catches sca's eye. Fans of the book will recognize the source of her name, and can probably piece together what part she will play in sca's story going forward. Likewise, Yerin Ha has ed season 4 as Sophie Baek (renamed from Sophie Beckett in the books), Benedict's love interest. Katie Leung will play the role of Lady Araminta Gun, while Isabella Wei and Michelle Mao will play Posy Li and Rosamund Li, respectively. The Li sisters are Sophie's wicked step-siblings.

The presumptive main cast of Bridgerton season 4 includes:

Bridgerton Season 4 Story Details

Which Bridgerton Sibling Gets Their Love Story Next?

Though there are 8 books in the Bridgerton series, there are only a few logical next steps for the TV series to take when it comes to its adaptation strategy.

Author Julia Quinn has revealed that the book for Bridgerton season 4 has already been selected, but that specific book hasn't been announced yet. Of the 8 books in the Bridgerton series, the third book, An Offer from a Gentleman, which chronicles the love story between Sophie and Benedict is the logical next step since Benedict is confirmed to be the lead in the fourth season.

In the book, the stoic bachelor saves a young woman named Sophie by offering her employment within his mother's household. Turns out, the lowly servant-girl is actually the daughter of an Earl who has been cast out by an evil stepmother. In keeping with the Cinderella-like storyline, Sophie secretly attends a masquerade ball as the mysterious Lady in Silver, and accidentally captures the heart of Benedict. Though that could be the basic framework of the season, the inevitable changes that Netflix will make are uncertain.

What we know tangibly about where season 4's story may be heading is that we'll likely see the fallout of Penelope's decision to reveal herself as Lady Whistledown. She made enemies along the way, and says herself that people may come after her. On top of that, we'll see more of Penelope and Colin's wedded life, since they will remain in the Ton. There are also lots of unresolved story elements, in a way that feels less like the usual way Bridgerton ends its seasons, but that does make for exciting prospects.