The newest season of the popular period drama has entered Netflix’s Top 10 in 91 countries and is trending at No. 2 in India.

New Delhi: Bridgerton Season 4 is winning hearts with its Cinderella-style love story. The spotlight is firmly on Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson, who play Sophie Baek and Benedict Bridgerton. Their strong on-screen chemistry has become one of the biggest highlights of the season. Part 1 of Season 4 premiered on Netflix on January 29, 2026, while Part 2 will be released on February 26, 2026. The season is based on Julia Quinn’s novel An Offer from a Gentleman.

Yerin Ha’s Casting Journey and Role as Sophie Baek

Yerin Ha, a 29-year-old Korean-Australian actress, was announced as Sophie Baek in August 2024 after an international casting search. She was born in Sydney to Korean parents and trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Her previous work includes roles in Halo (as Kwan Ha), Dune: Prophecy (as Biko), Troppo, and Bad Behaviour. She also comes from an artistic family—her grandmother was a well-known Korean opera singer.

In Bridgerton Season 4, Sophie’s surname was changed from Beckett (in the book) to Baek to reflect Yerin Ha’s cultural background. Ha spoke about the importance of the change, saying that a name is often the first part of a person’s identity shared with the world. She explained that giving Sophie a name that matched her own appearance felt empowering. Showrunner Jess Brownell made this change, and Ha believes it added real meaning to the character.

Ha said she connected deeply with Sophie’s personality. She described Sophie as someone with a strong sense of right and wrong who stays true to herself, no matter the situation. Despite facing many hardships, Sophie moves forward with grace and kindness. In the story, Sophie works as a maid and secretly attends Violet Bridgerton’s masquerade ball, where she meets Benedict.

Luke Thompson Returns as Benedict Bridgerton

Luke Thompson, now 37, returns as Benedict Bridgerton, the artistic and thoughtful brother who steps into a lead role this season. Thompson is known for his work in Dunkirk, In the Club, and stage productions such as King Lear. He explained that Sophie helps Benedict grow as a person. According to Thompson, Sophie challenges Benedict with her curiosity and wit, pushing him to engage with her on an equal level.

Instant Chemistry: From Zoom to the Set

The chemistry between Ha and Thompson was clear from their very first Zoom chemistry read, which focused on the lake scene. Ha shared that the audition took place at 11 p.m. in Korea and that she felt extremely nervous throughout the day. Thompson, however, immediately felt confident, thinking they had found exactly what they were looking for. Showrunner Jess Brownell agreed, saying their connection was obvious even through the screen.

They later met in person at Brownell’s apartment in London. Thompson said that when they filmed their first scene together, it felt natural, as if they had already worked together for a long time. Ha described the connection between their characters as “love at first sight.”

Dance rehearsals also helped them build comfort and trust. Ha explained that she prefers to be genuine during auditions and does not like to force flirtation, which helped make their chemistry feel real.

Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Iconic Scenes

One of the most talked-about moments is the masquerade ball terrace scene, which includes a passionate dance and three kisses. The scene is filled with strong chemistry. Another key moment is the staircase scene in Part 1, which represents the social class divide between Sophie and Benedict. Thompson described this scene as poetic. Intimacy coordinators were involved to help prepare the actors for these moments.

The lake scene at Benedict’s home, “My Cottage,” was filmed like a short standalone film and is considered one of the most emotional scenes of the season. While fans often point to behind-the-scenes photos as proof of real-life romance, Thompson has clarified that he is dating Bridgerton co-star Harriet Cains, not Yerin Ha.

Returning Cast and Future Seasons

Season 4 also features returning cast members Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, and Claudia Jessie. New actors joining the series include Katie Leung and Isabella Wei. Netflix has already confirmed Seasons 5 and 6 of Bridgerton.

Fan Buzz and Off-Screen Dynamics

Fans have strongly “shipped” Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson because of their convincing chemistry. This excitement has grown through leaked masquerade photos, table reads, and interviews. Both actors have spoken about the trust they share and how much fun they had working together on set.

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