During the past two months Bridgerton has become one of my favorite TV shows because of its pastel and elegant aesthetic, the love stories and the touch of fantasy—because let’s be real; no one praises Bridgerton for its accuracy. Recently I finished watching season four in just one weekend, and it is my favorite season so far. There were a lot of new plots with the characters we already know, plus the addition of new characters made this season so enjoyable. This article will have spoilers, so if you haven’t watched season four, what are you waiting for?
Benedict and Sophie’s Love Story
I started season four knowing what was going to happen because of the TikTok edits and the fact that it came out months ago. However, my excitement for seeing Benedict and Sophie’s love story was still there. This story was already underway from the very first episode; I’d say one of my favorite scenes is the moment Benedict sees Sophie at the masquerade ball for the very first time and probably thinks: “who is this beautiful stranger?” Then, their first interaction followed by Benedict teaching Sophie how to dance are the scenes where I at once realized this season was going to be my favorite.
Moving out of the fantasy coded scenes, we get sucked back to reality where we learn more about Sophie’s character. She is the daughter of a nobleman and a servant which makes her an illegitimate child. Her stepmother Lady Penwood despises her but can’t get rid of her, but sometime later Sophie does end up being kicked out of the house after her stepmother found out she attended the masquerade ball. Then, Sophie meets Benedict again, but he does not recognize her. It’s genuinely so funny to me how Benedict is falling in love with Sophie without knowing she is the girl he flirted with at the masquerade ball. I personally enjoy those kinds of plots where we know the plot twist, but the characters don’t know it, just like we all knew Penelope was Lady Whistledown but we were all waiting for Colin to find out. Here, we have a similar situation. We all knew Sophie was the Lady in Silver, but we are all waiting to see Benedict’s reaction. I liked how they handled it – I think back to the scene where Benedict is losing his mind between all his drawings, Sophie’s necklace and his memories of the masquerade.
Overall, I loved everything about this love story, and I am so excited to see their dynamic as a married couple in season five.
The New Leads: Francesca and Michaela
As a fan who never read the books and instead knew about Bridgerton because of the show, I’m not upset that the writers decided to turn Michael into Michaela. In fact, I find it interesting and innovative because the Bridgerton universe is completely fictional
and that is why the producers of the show have the freedom to make changes that never would have happened in real life due to the social norms of the Regency Era.
During season four we get to see how Francesca and Michaela’s relationship starts off with a little envy from Francesca towards Michaela. But as the episodes pass, they start getting along and building a close friendship. Then John passes away and the two women are devastated because they both had a close relationship with John, Franchesca was his wife and Michaela was his cousin. John’s passing made them closer and supportive of each other during their time of grief, but at the end of season four Michaela leaves without telling Francesca anything.
I am genuinely so excited to see these two amazing women as the leads for season five and witness how the writers develop the first lesbian love story from the Bridgerton universe. Also, I am excited for the soundtrack because Hannah Dodd, who plays Francesca Bridgerton, has mentioned in interviews she wants to have “Good Luck Babe” by Chapell Roan as part of the soundtrack for season five.
Who Might Be the New Lady Whistledown?
I genuinely think this is one of the silliest theories about the new Lady Whistledown but to be honest, it makes a little sense even if there are a lot of holes in my theory. I think the new Lady Whistledown might be Hyacinth Bridgerton because she is a very good observer. We know she infiltrated a few balls and is very close to Penelope. I don’t think any of the adults such as Alice Mondrich or Eloise Bridgerton is the new Lady Whistledown because they are too busy with their own problems and it would be too immature or childish of them to take over Penelope’s project. This theory still has gaps, but I am sure we will have more clues or the revelation itself in season five.
Whoever is the new Lady Whistledown I am sure that is not Penelope herself again faking a retirement to avoid social disturbances, and I will tell you why. Penelope has already paid the consequences of her actions as Lady Whistledown since she ruined a few people’s reputations in society. I think it would be too immature for her to make the same mistake again now that she is in a happy marriage with Colin Bridgerton, who was previously mad at her for being Lady Whistledown.
The new Lady Whistledown is a different character, and I am very excited to try and unlock the mystery of her identity by examining her upcoming articles in season five.
Season five is about to wrap filming, and fans are sharing theories about the potential release date since Netflix tends to release the Bridgerton seasons with a year and a half to a two-year gap between each. I personally think season five will be released in mid to late 2027 to any date in 2028 because I am aware that the production process is more than just filming. As I said several times, I am genuinely very excited for season five and I hope I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed season four.