By Siddarth Suresh and Poorvi Roopesh

Dearest Gentle Readers,

January 29th marked the highly anticipated release of Part 1 of Bridgerton Season 4. This newest installment introduces fans to an exciting romance centered on Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek, following the familiar beats of a Cinderella-style love story. The season feels both fresh and nostalgic, and viewers have eagerly embraced the new episodes.

Bridgerton is a widely popular Netflix series set in London during the Regency era, primarily taking place in 1813. The show follows the eight Bridgerton siblings as they navigate high-society expectations, strict social norms, and the drama of the marriage market. Based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling historical romance novels, the series is known for its lavish costumes, ornate sets, and aristocratic intrigue. Each season highlights a different sibling’s love story, allowing the show to reinvent itself while maintaining its signature charm.

Season 1 centers on Daphne Bridgerton’s initially-fake-but-turned-real courtship with the Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset. Season 2 shifts focus to Lord Anthony Bridgerton, who initially pursues marriage out of duty with Edwina Sharma, only to fall for her older sister Kate instead. Most recently, the series concluded with a friends-to-lovers romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, leaving audiences eager for what would come next.

Season 4 delivers that anticipation with a long-awaited romance between Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek. Inspired by the classic Cinderella tale, the plot follows Benedict as he searches for the mysterious “Lady in Silver” he meets at a masquerade ball. Unbeknownst to him, she is Sophie Baek, a maid working under the strict Lady Araminta Gun, whose position in society places her worlds apart from Benedict’s own.

Students of IA had varying opinions on this new season.

Architha Vipin (11) said, “I thought it was a big improvement from season three. I really liked Sophie she felt unique compared to the other female leads and even though the Cinderella storyline was a little cliché and predictable, I still enjoyed it.”

Mary Allison (11) “The acting was good, but the episode felt repetitive and predictable, and it just didn’t have the same charm as earlier seasons.”

What sets this season apart is its focus on the lives of maids and working-class individuals. Previous seasons largely centered on the drama and indulgences of the aristocracy, but Season 4 shifts its gaze downward, exploring the often overlooked labor that sustains elite lifestyles. Maids during the Regency era lived under harsh and restrictive conditions, yet their work made the luxury of the upper class possible. By spotlighting these stories, Bridgerton adds depth and humanity to its world, acknowledging the people who have long existed behind the scenes.

Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see how the story unfolds. Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 is set to release on February 26, promising even more romance, drama, and revelations.