Netflix’s drama Bridgerton is back for its fourth season, continuing its reign as one of the platform’s most talked about shows. Adapted from Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels, each season of the series focuses on a different member of the Bridgerton family as they navigate society in Regency-era London. Season four centers on the second eldest son, Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson.
Unlike previous episodes, this season experiments with a familiar fairytale trope: that of Cinderella. The Cinderella-inspired storyline has become one of the show’s most debated creative choices, splitting viewers between those who find it comforting and those who see it as repetitive and predictable. According to Financial Express, “While several describe the first four episodes of the series as ‘nothing remotely exciting’ or a ‘cheap Cinderella’ version, others have appreciated it as cinema.” Kiara Sonawane ’29 said, “I thought that it had a really good plotline and the characters were both very interesting. It met my expectations. I was a bit disappointed at the ending, but it’s what happened in the books.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Benedict and his love interest, Sophie, have emerged as a huge highlight of the season. Fans on X praised their chemistry, with one user writing, “The tension, the yearning, the banters, the chemistry, everything is so so so good.” This focus on emotional connection is a shift from earlier seasons, which relied on scandal, gossip, or high-stakes social drama to drive the plot. Meanwhile, season four leans more heavily on character development, despite the plot’s familiarity.
Cast members have also commented on the season, with Luke Thompson reflecting in Vogue about stepping into the spotlight. He mentioned, “When you’re placed at the center of it, you can relax a little and let it all happen to you. I didn’t find it to be pressurized or a big burden to lead the story.” Meanwhile, Yerin Ha, who palys Sophie, admitted, “I was really quite scared… It was just the pressure of being the female lead, and it’s Bridgerton… It was my imposter syndrome.” These comments reflect the season’s focus on emotion and chemistry, showing the romantic aspects and the plot equally carry the storyline.
The new season has been received strongly, as season four part one debuted with 39.7 million views in its first four days, making it Netflix’s most-watched title that week. Though numbers are slightly lower than season three's record breaking opening, these views indicate that fans are still undoubtedly invested in the Bridgerton universe.