Netflix has celebrated Bridgerton season 4’s production wrap with a new BTS video, featuring a blink-and-you’ll miss-it detail about Penelope’s continued role in the story. Bridgerton season 4 will finally put second son Benedict (Luke Thompson) in the romantic spotlight, as he falls in love with a mysterious masked woman at his mother’s famous masquerade ball. Though Benedict and his Cinderella-esque love, Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), will be the biggest focus of Bridgerton’s and London’s upcoming season, the rest of the Bridgerton clan will still have their parts to play, too.
This includes Nicola Coughlan’s Penelope, who found her happy ending with Benedict’s younger brother, Colin (Luke Newton), in Bridgerton season 3. The Bridgerton season 4 BTS wrap video shows nearly all the show’s major cast members, including newcomers like Yerin Ha, Michelle Mao, Isabella Wei, Katie Leung, and Masali Baduza, changing from their elaborate Regency-era costumes into their present-day (and infinitely more comfortable) clothes. However, one tiny detail stood out to eagle-eyed fans, as Nicola Coughlan’s trailer is now labeled as “Penelope Bridgerton” rather than “Penelope Featherington.” You can watch the reel below:
What This Means For Bridgerton Season 4
We’ll See Plenty Of Familiar Faces This Season
As Bridgerton is an ensemble show, it stands to reason that its former leads return for brief appearances in subsequent seasons. Despite Daphne’s (Phoebe Dynevor) unfortunate absence in season 3 (and her husband’s absence since season 1), we do at least know that Penelope, Colin, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), and Anthony’s wife, Kate (Simone Ashley), are set to return for Bridgerton season 4. Perhaps Penelope’s trailer name change shouldn’t be so surprising. Yet it’s a welcome reminder of how her story is moving forward now that she’s married Colin, revealed her dual identity, and become a mother.
Given Penelope’s wider role in society – she arguably has more influence than the entire Bridgerton family combined – it makes sense that Coughlan might have a bigger role in Bridgerton season 4.
Given Penelope’s wider role in society – she arguably has more influence than the entire Bridgerton family combined – it makes sense that Coughlan might have a bigger role in Bridgerton season 4. She might even be able to help Benedict and Sophie out in the long run; Penelope’s opinion as Lady Whistledown carries weight, and Sophie’s unconventional family background will undoubtedly cause a stir among the biggest gossips in London. Will she be able to help them avoid a scandal altogether? Anything’s possible.
Our Take On Bridgerton Season 4
Benedict And Sophie Deserve An Epic Love Story
I’ll admit, I’m a little biased. Benedict has been one of my favorite Bridgerton siblings since season 1, and I desperately want him to have the love story he deserves. Benedict has been on a path of self-discovery in the show, exploring his love of art, his purpose in life, and his sexuality. He deserves to find love that will fulfill him, and Sophie deserves to find love that will make her feel safe, secure, and cared for. I’m excited to see them together, but I’m also worried about what the rest of the Bridgerton family will be up to.
Related
If Bridgerton Season 4 Doesn’t Keep The Book’s Time Jump, Benedict’s Story Won’t Make Sense
Bridgerton season 4 needs to include An Offer from a Gentleman’s time jump in Benedict and Sophie’s relationship to due justice to his character arc.
Bridgerton season 3, more than previous seasons, focused on other family members’ lives to a great extent. Yes, it’s an ensemble show, but with Bridgerton having been renewed for seasons 5 and 6, and knowing the potential storylines still to come for Eloise and Francesca, I fear Bridgerton season 4 may feel the need to stuff the show full of setup for their epic romances. If, as expected, Penelope will have a bigger role in the upcoming season, too, I hope Bridgerton season 4 manages the right balance between Benedict and Sophie’s romance and the show’s need for exposition.
Bridgerton season 4 will arrive on Netflix in 2026.
Source: Bridgerton on X
Bridgerton
7/10
- Release Date
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December 25, 2020
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson
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Ruth Gemmell
Lady Violet Bridgerton
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Luke Thompson
Benedict Bridgerton
