Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 Review: Romance and Scandal

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 wastes no time establishing its romantic stakes. The season opens with the Bridgerton family’s annual masquerade ball, where the second eldest Bridgerton son, Benedict, encounters a mysterious woman known only as the Lady in Silver. Their single dance ignites an obsession that drives the entire first half of this split season. What Benedict doesn’t know, and audiences certainly do, is that his masked paramour is actually Sophie Baek, a servant who borrowed finery to experience one magical night As Sophie flees the ball (leaving behind a glove rather than a glass slipper), Benedict embarks on a relentless search through London’s high society, completely unaware that the woman he seeks has been right under his nose the entire time.

The Cinderella framework may feel familiar, but Bridgerton leans into it with confidence. The class divide between Benedict’s privileged world and Sophie’s harsh reality adds genuine dramatic tension to what could otherwise feel like a predictable romance. Every stolen glance and near-miss encounter builds toward an inevitable revelation that promises explosive consequences in Part 2.

Luke Thompson Steps Into the Leading Man Role After three seasons of charming supporting appearances, Luke Thompson finally gets his moment at centre stage, and he delivers. Thompson brings a vulnerability to Benedict that distinguishes him from his more polished brothers. There’s a restless energy to his performance, a sense that Benedict has been searching for something meaningful long before the masquerade. Thompson excels in the romantic sequences, particularly when sharing the screen with his new co-star. His chemistry with Yerin Ha crackles with yearning and tension, making their scenes together the highlight of every episode.

Benedict’s unintentional privilege becomes more pronounced against Sophie’s grounded perspective, and Thompson navigates this contrast with nuance. Yerin Ha Steals the Show as Sophie Baek While Thompson anchors the season, newcomer Yerin Ha emerges as its true revelation. Her portrayal of Sophie Baek balances sincere naivety about the ton’s inner workings with clear-eyed cynicism about society’s limitations. Sophie isn’t simply a damsel awaiting rescue, she’s a fully realised character whose circumstances have forged resilience and sharp intelligence. Ha commands attention in every frame, whether navigating Sophie’s complicated relationship with her cruel stepmother or sharing loaded moments with Benedict. The performance elevates the material considerably, making Sophie arguably more compelling than the Bridgerton leading the season. Supporting the central romance, Katie Leung delivers standout work as Lady Araminta Gun, Sophie’s stepmother. Rather than playing a one-dimensional villain, Leung reveals complex layers rooted in shared grief with Sophie, culminating in one of the season’s most dynamic confrontations.

The Bridgerton Family Remains in Fine Form Fans of Bridgerton Season 3 will be pleased to see Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton return as Penelope and Colin, now navigating married life and the responsibilities that come with it. Their subplot provides welcome comedic relief and emotional grounding amidst the central romance’s dramatic tension. The reduced cast this season allows the writers to devote more attention to individual character development. Francesca and John’s intimate marriage receives meaningful screen time, while Violet Bridgerton’s mature romance with Marcus adds another layer of romantic storytelling. Each episode runs over an hour, providing ample space for these storylines to breathe without overwhelming the main narrative.

The Split-Season Format: A Necessary Evil? The decision to release Bridgerton Season 4 in two parts has generated mixed reactions. Part 1 ends on an unresolved cliffhanger that will leave viewers counting the days until Part 2 arrives on February 26th. While this format builds anticipation, the pacing occasionally suffers as episodes stretch to accommodate the extended runtime. Some storylines feel deliberately prolonged to justify the split, and the predictability of the Cinderella framework means few genuine surprises arrive before the credits roll. However, the strength of the performances and the quality of the production design ensure these pacing issues never become fatal flaws. The Verdict: Raising the Bar for Regency Romance Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 represents some of the finest work the Netflix series has produced.

The combination of Luke Thompson’s sensitive leading performance and Yerin Ha’s star-making turn creates a central romance worth investing in. The class dynamics woven throughout the narrative add thematic weight to what could have been a straightforward love story. Yes, the split-season format frustrates, and the Cinderella bones of the plot offer few surprises. But Bridgerton has never been about reinventing the wheel; it’s about executing familiar romantic beats with style, charm, and impeccable costume design. On that front, Season 4 delivers handsomely.

Rating: 8/10

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix. For more streaming reviews and entertainment news, explore our Netflix Films & TV Reviews section.