Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha Anchor Safe 'Bridgerton' Season 4
Part 1's four episodes stream Jan. 29 as critics praise performances but fault the season's Cinderella plot.
Overview
Critics said the first four episodes of Bridgerton Season 4, released Jan. 29, highlight Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson's chemistry while leaning on a Cinderella-style plot many reviewers called formulaic.
The reception matters because the series enters its fourth season and Part 2, scheduled for Feb. 26, will test showrunner Jess Brownell's effort to refresh a format that has cycled through eight Bridgerton siblings, reviewers noted.
Luke Thompson told a Netflix promotional interview that Season 4 "is a bit of a twist on Cinderella," and showrunner Jess Brownell described Sophie Baek as "resourceful and resilient" while promoting the Jan. 29 episodes.
Part 1 comprises four episodes with Part 2 set to add four more on Feb. 26, and critics were split between calling the installment "watchable" and "disappointingly safe," marking a mixed critical response to the franchise's ongoing rollout.
With Part 2 due Feb. 26, critics and viewers will watch to see whether the show deepens Benedict Bridgerton's queer representation and addresses class tensions after mixed reviews of the first half, reviewers said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Season 4 as a disappointment, using loaded terms ('boring,' 'lackluster'), prioritizing critiques (Cinderella cliché) and spotlighting Yerin Ha as the lone asset. Editorial choices—negative adjectives, selective scene emphasis, and structuring the review around narrative failings—create a cumulative dismissive narrative; quoted fan perspectives remain sparse.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Luke Thompson plays Benedict Bridgerton, and Yerin Ha plays Sophie Baek.
The season is a twist on the Cinderella story, based on the book 'An Offer from a Gentleman,' focusing on Benedict and Sophie from different social classes.[1]
Part 1 with four episodes streamed on January 29, 2026, and Part 2 with four more episodes is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
Critics praise the chemistry between Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson, calling it genuine and unmatched, but some find the Cinderella plot formulaic and safe, though it brings back the show's mojo.
The season highlights class tensions, queer representation for Benedict, Sophie's resilience, and cross-class romance challenges.[1]
History
This story does not have any previous versions.