- - Here's how 'Bridgerton' fans can watch the first episode of Season 4 before its Netflix release later this month

Kate MurphyJanuary 14, 2026 at 4:38 AM

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If you get your tea from Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, you’re in the right place. A new season of Bridgertonarrives in just over two weeks, and along with it, a brand-new love story for Shonda Rhimes' Regency series.

The first half of Season 4 will premiere on Netflix with four episodes on Jan. 29. The second half, comprising four more episodes, will arrive on Feb. 26.

However, you may be interested to know, dear readers, that fans of the ton can watch Episode 1 of the new season on Jan. 14 at 12:30 p.m. ET by RSVP’ing to Tudum’s Bridgerton Season 4 Premiere Masquerade.

What is the event, and how do I watch Episode 1?

Wednesday’s live event held in Paris at the Palais Brongniart is “an online community experience for Bridgerton fans,” according to Tudum. Preshow festivities start at 12:30 p.m. ET, which include “giveaways, games, a live chat, and further delights.”

After that will be red carpet interviews with members of the Bridgerton cast, a special performance that will be the “talk of the ton.”

Fans will then be rewarded with a live virtual screening of the first episode of Season 4.

Fans need to RSVP on Tudum’s website here by 9:30 p.m. PT on Jan. 13 and 12:30 a.m. ET on Jan. 14. Make haste, there’s not much time left!

What can fans expect in the new season?

Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek and Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in Bridgerton. (Liam Daniel/Netflix) (Liam Daniel/Netflix)

Season 4 will focus on the long-awaited love story of Benedict Bridgerton, second-eldest of the Bridgerton siblings, who is portrayed as a “bohemian” who does not feel bound by society's expectations.

The Cinderella-esque romance plot, based on Julia Quinn's 2001 novel An Offer From a Gentleman, centers on forbidden love and will be at the heart of this high-society social season in Mayfair. This time, Luke Thompson's Benedict Bridgerton will be the one swept off his feet by a character new to the series, whom he initially only knows as a woman behind a silver mask.

Netflix dropped an official trailer on Dec. 25. It opens with Benedict still up to his playboy ways, much to the disappointment of his mother, Violet (Ruth Gemmell). While Benedict's older and younger brothers are happily married, Benedict is dragging his feet and refusing to settle down. But in Season 4, he meets his love interest, a mysterious “lady in silver,” at his mother’s famed masquerade ball. Her name is Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), and she is revealed to be a maid with a hidden past.

Can these two turn their fairytale beginnings into a romance that goes the distance and defies society's rules? "The main thing we can expect [this season] is a really nice mix of fairy tale and reality," Thompson said. "We’ve got this fairy-tale love story, yes, but it’s also got the Bridgerton element of trying to tether [that story] to some sort of reality as well.”

Who is in the Season 4 cast?

Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton and Ha as Sophie Baek will be the diamonds of this season. In the books, Benedict’s love interest is named Sophie Beckett. Netflix confirmed the character’s name was changed to Baek to reflect the actress’s Korean heritage.

"To make Sophie's name fit someone who looks like me is really empowering," Ha said. "It's a really nice way for me to feel like the role is fit for me, rather than me having to fit a certain mold."

The following fan favorites will also reprise their roles for Season 4:

“Kanthony”: Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma and Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton (Benedict’s older brother)

“Polin”: Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington (aka Lady Whistledown) and Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton (Benedict’s younger brother)

Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton (Penelope’s bestie)

Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton (Benedict’s mom)

Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury (Lady Violet Bridgerton’s bestie)

Daniel Francis as Lord Marcus Anderson (Lady Violet’s potential love interest and Lady Danbury’s brother)

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte (deemer of debutante diamonds)

Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown (the show’s narrator)

Netflix offers a complete list of the actors set to return in Season 4.

Are there any new characters?

Isabella Wei as Posy Li, Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun and Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li in Bridgerton. (Liam Daniel/Netflix) (Liam Daniel/Netflix)

Fans can expect some delicious drama from three new characters associated with Sophie’s backstory, according to Netflix:

Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung): Sophie’s stepmother is a twice-widowed noblewoman who is presenting her two other daughters on the marriage market. She’s determined to get at least one of them married off to a nobleman in high society.

Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao): One of Sophie’s stepsisters and Araminta’s eldest daughter. Like her mother, she is determined to get what she wants, and she has set her sights on Benedict this social season.

Posy Li (Isabella Wei): Sophie’s other stepsister, who is also making her debut into society, although Lady Araminta rarely throws the spotlight on her.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”