Bridgerton Season 4 Reveals First Look at Luke Thompson as Steamy Lead

As a devoted fan of Lady Whistledown and the Bridgerton family, I’ve eagerly followed their scandalous escapades through the pages of Julia Quinn’s novels and the captivating screen adaptation. The third season, like a fine wine, seems to have aged exceptionally well, balancing familiar elements with fresh twists that leave me in awe.

A hot new diamond has entered the ton.

Bridgerton has commenced filming for its fourth season on Netflix, showcasing the new main characters, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton and Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek, in recently released photos. The images depict Luke and Yerin embodying their roles while strolling the streets of London, posed together.

With much delight, we announce to you, esteemed members of high society, that Bridgerton Season 4 has commenced filming!

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm when the news broke – especially since this was our first glimpse of the cast members embodying their TV personas. It’s always thrilling to see the transformation!

Fan: “Wow, look at those!

One user expressed her anticipation for the upcoming plot, saying, “I find myself utterly spellbound. I believed I was deeply engrossed in S3, but then along came Benedict and Sophie.

Following Nicola Coughlan (as Penelope Featherington) and Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton) leading season three, it was revealed in July that Luke’s character, Benedict, would be taking over as the main romantic lead for the show. This change comes as season four is set to be adapted from Julia Quinn’s book “An Offer From a Gentleman,” which serves as the third Bridgerton novel. The story revolves around Benedict encountering a woman in silver, none other than Sophie, only to re-encounter her two years later without realizing that she is the one he has been longing for all this time.

Additionally, thirty-six-year-old Luke eagerly anticipates delving into the relationships among the characters reminiscent of Cinderella, since Yerin’s character, Sophie, finds herself in unfortunate and sorrowful situations.

In an interaction with Netflix’s Tudum, Luke pointed out an interesting aspect of season four: “It’s a fascinating contrast between traditional fairy-tale charm” he said, “and the gritty, realistic portrayal of the world.

He went on to say, “Both statements ring true. One must grasp hold of both aspects – the dreamy and the practical – simultaneously. In its ideal form, ‘true love’ transpires amidst this balance.

39-year-old Yerin mentioned her delight in the “fun, liberating, healing” experience of preparing for the new season with Luke. She also disclosed that their initial encounter took place during a dinner at showrunner Jess Brownell’s residence.

She shared with Tudum, “Luke was there, his arms spread out for an immediate hug, and at that instant I realized, ‘Aha, I don’t have to worry about minor details anymore. I can simply concentrate on developing a genuine on-screen bond with him.’

Additionally, she mentioned her keen interest in portraying a character who is grappling with significant obstacles they must conquer.

She found herself drawn to Sophie because she seems to face challenges right away, for instance, the struggle over social standing or concealing her emotions towards Benedict.

Fortunately for me, I won’t be venturing into the marriage market on my own this season, as Jonathan Bailey has confirmed his return to portray elder brother Anthony Bridgerton.

Jonathan expressed on “Good Morning America” in August that, as the eldest sibling, he would be present to encourage and guide the younger ones throughout their journey.

But how does he think Luke will handle leading man duties? Jonathan knows he’s “gonna be stunning.”

When gearing up for season four, delve back into the details of season three of “Bridgerton”, focusing on all the modifications made in moving from page to television.

In Netflix’s adaptation, Nicola Coughlan’s character Penelope Featherington decides to break free from her shy past at the tender age of 19. She chooses to transform herself, trading her traditional yellow and orange gowns for more becoming attires and colors, often donning the iconic Bridgerton blue. Additionally, she seeks advice from Luke Newton’s character, Colin Bridgerton, whom she has harbored feelings for over a long period, to enhance her flirting skills.

In the story “Romancing Mister Bridgerton,” the situation differs significantly for character Penelope, who is 28 years old in the book since it’s set in 1824, ten years after Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) married Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). Unlike other characters, Penelope is seen as an “old maid” due to her advanced age and lack of marriage. Interestingly, this doesn’t drive her to seek a husband, but rather stems from her mother finally giving her independence after failing to marry. Despite being frustrated about her prolonged living situation with her mother, Penelope does not rush into finding a spouse.

A significant discrepancy lies here – initially, not even the reader realizes that the character Lady Whistledown is actually the town gossip. This secret is unveiled approximately halfway through the fourth book; on the other hand, Netflix viewers were made aware of this surprising fact in season one itself.

In the third season, I find myself captivated by the intriguing character of Colin, who, much like his literary counterpart, follows a unique path distinct from his on-screen persona throughout the series.

In the novel, he is significantly older, around 33 years, and has been journeying extensively for quite some time, not just a few months as portrayed in the series. He seldom stays at home due to his travels. Additionally, he grapples with discovering his purpose, a struggle that is less pronounced in the show.

Just as one might become increasingly captivated by a series on a streaming platform like Netflix, he develops a growing affection for Penelope throughout the book. He spends a considerable amount of time admiring her kindness, humor, and beauty – traits that surprise him since they seemed to have gone unnoticed by him and the rest of society prior.

In both the book and the show, emotions really come to a head for Colin and Penelope when she accidentally on purpose reads his travel diaries. Book Pen was visiting the Bridgertons because she’s still best friends with Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), while show Pen was at their house in episode two for private flirting lessons with Colin.

In both versions, Colin cuts his hand, although in the book it’s on a letter opener and in the show it’s because of a broken candle holder.

Regardless, it’s as she is wrapping his hand that Colin really notices Penelope.

In the story or performance, Polin’s initial kiss occurs when Penelope boldly requests it, hinting that she would rather go through life without ever being kissed if Polin refuses to oblige.

In the closing scene of episode two, immediately following the disclosure that Penelope sought Colin’s aid in locating a potential match, this significant event unfolds on our television screens.

In the novel, the kiss takes place in the Featherington’s parlor, where Colin pays a visit to Penelope to share his concern that his sister Eloise might be Lady Whistledown – a character voiced by Julie Andrews.

Indeed, both the books and their film adaptations feature Colin and Penelope sharing their second kiss inside a carriage, shortly before he ultimately proposes to her.

In the finale of episode four, Netflix opted to have the kiss and marriage proposal occur inside the Featherington carriage, following Colin’s actions that had dashed Penelope’s hopes with Lord Debling (previously known as Sam Phillips).

It appears he’s unaware that she is Lady Whistledown, who serves as the Regency era equivalent of DeuxMoi. In the premiere episode, Colin vented his anger towards Lady Whistledown for her less-than-favorable comments about his transformed character after his travels, vowing to expose whoever Lady Whistledown truly is, by the end of the episode.

In the novel, I found myself in Colin’s shoes as he unveiled Penelope’s surprising dual identity within the town. After following her into town and discovering her shocking secret – that she was none other than Lady Whistledown – our marriage was sealed with a kiss in his coach, a union made with full knowledge of her double life.

Francesca Bridgerton (previously known as Hannah Dodd) is occasionally perceived as the overlooked Bridgerton sibling, not due to lack of affection from her family but because, just like in the series, she herself enjoys a tranquil and peaceful lifestyle.

In the book series, it’s mentioned that Francesca discovered her husband seven years prior to where Penelope and Colin’s story begins. However, Shonda Rhimes and the production team have chosen to blend elements of the book plots involving Francesca, Colin, Benedict Bridgerton (portrayed by Luke Thompson), as they all seek love in season three. This results in…

In the TV series, Golda Rosheuvel’s character, Queen Charlotte, is the standout of the season. She attracts the attention of Lord Samadani (played by David Mumeni), who is chosen by the queen, as well as John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin (portrayed by Victor Alli), her favored suitor. Unfortunately, since Queen Charlotte isn’t a character in the books, there’s no historical basis for selecting a “diamond” for any season, as there was never a monarch who bestowed such a title.

Fortunately for me and John, we discover our perfect match in each other and decide on a cozy home wedding, an event that fans of the books don’t get to witness. Our tale doesn’t end there though; we set off for Scotland, where our journey will unfold further. As for what lies ahead for Francesca, I won’t give away any spoilers here, but if you’re intrigued by what happens next, her story is delved into more deeply in the sixth Bridgerton book titled “When He Was Wicked.

People who have just seen the series might find it striking to discover that by the time Colin and Penelope become a couple in the books, Benedict has actually been married for seven years and is well-established as an accomplished artist. This detail is revealed in book three, An Offer from a Gentleman, which Netflix chose not to adapt instead opting for book four.

In the series, he continues his journey of self-discovery as the second Bridgerton brother, opting out of marriage and instead forming relationships with a spirited widow, Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New), and her companion Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio). Fans will eagerly await how his storyline develops in the possible fourth season.

On the series, Eloise has a unique narrative as she is no longer friends with Penelope following her discovery that Penelope is actually Lady Whistledown. Instead, Eloise has formed a strong bond with Cressida Cowper, known as the ton’s biggest bully (played by Jessica Madsen), in the countryside. When she learns about Colin and Penelope’s engagement, she feels upset because it seems to her that Penelope used their friendship to gain access to Colin. However, by the end of the season, Eloise comes to realize the value of her friendship with Penelope and they reconcile.

Speaking of the character Eloise from her book, similar to Penelope who is also 28 years old, Eloise differs in that she has rejected six marriage proposals. Unlike her friend, a double agent, Eloise’s joy for Colin and Penelope’s relationship knows no bounds. Throughout “Romancing Mister Bridgerton,” there are subtle indications of Eloise’s future, which is further explored in book five titled “To Sir Philip, With Love.

Regarding Cressida, the series portrays her as single, whereas in the book, she’s a widow. Despite this change in marital status, she remains a source of annoyance for Colin and Penelope. I’ll delve deeper into her character shortly.

Lord Debling, a man deeply enamored with nature, has become this season’s most sought-after bachelor – and he holds a special place in Cressida Cowper’s gaze. However, it should be noted that his character is primarily crafted for the show, serving as a catalyst to encourage Penelope to step out of her comfort zone. More significantly, though, his role is instrumental in bringing Colin and Penelope closer together.

Regrettably, though I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing Colin’s heroic act of saving Penelope, the whole balloon incident and the rather embarrassing bird discussion were mere fictional elements created specifically for our screenplay.

One significant shift in the storyline for the Featheringtons involves the absence of Felicity, the fourth daughter, who shares a strong bond with Penelope and was previously close friends with Hyacinth Bridgerton, now portrayed as Florence Hunt.

In the novels, Mrs. Featherington (Polly Walker) sees Felicity as her final opportunity for a high-profile marriage for one of her daughters, even proposing that she marry Colin. The Featherington family, in turn, is experiencing fewer financial difficulties due to Penelope quietly using funds from Whistledown. This secret support was facilitated by their solicitor, who, intriguingly, had previously motivated her to write her column and arranged all the necessary arrangements with the publisher and a bank account.

Regarding sisters Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Phillippa (Harriet Cains), on the television series, their storyline revolves around a competition to birth a male child first, thus preserving the Featherington lineage. However, in the books, they play less significant roles and are married to entirely distinct characters.

In the series, Prudence is wedded to James Phoon instead of Robert Huxley, her husband in the book. On the other hand, Phillippa got married to Lorn Macdonald (not Albion Finch) in season three, unlike her books’ counterpart who married Nigel Berbrooke, a character you may recall as one of Daphne’s rude suitors from season one.

In both the book and the show, Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) is busy finding partners for her unmarried children. Book Violet has also long moved out of the Bridgerton house, and now lives at what the family loving calls Number Five (as they joke they couldn’t come up with a better name). And while author Julia Quinn never gives a glimpse of Violet’s life after all her children are married, season three hints at a possible romance for the Bridgerton matriarch with Lady Danbury’s (Adjoa Andoh) brother Lord Marcus (Daniel Francis)—who does not exist in the books.

In the Bridgerton series, there’s a notable change when it comes to the characters Hyacinth and Gregory (Will Tilston) in the fourth novel. In this book, they are considerably older – Hyacinth is participating in her first season, and Gregory has completed his studies at Cambridge University. However, in the show, these two characters have not yet taken center stage, with the older siblings dominating the drama for now. Yet, future seasons may delve deeper into their stories, as Hyacinth’s romance unfolds in book seven, “It’s in His Kiss,” and Gregory’s is detailed in book eight, “On the Way to the Wedding.

In the novel, after Colin proposes, they visit the Featherington household to announce their engagement. The scene becomes quite amusing as Mrs. Featherington mistakenly believes Colin has come for Felicity instead of Penelope. To everyone’s surprise, Colin stands firm in his desire to marry Penelope and praises her virtues to her mother, which leaves Penelope feeling flattered (and undoubtedly smitten).

In the television program, the duo initially visit the Bridgerton residence, where everyone is delighted – except for Eloise, who is displeased because Penelope has not informed Colin about her secret identity as Lady Whistledown.

I’ve found that the book offers limited details about Colin and Penelope’s wedding, merely mentioning it was a private event and they managed to expedite the date by a few weeks following Colin’s not-so-subtle hints to Lady Bridgerton and Lady Featherington regarding his and Penelope’s intimate relationship.

In “Romancing Mr. Bridgerton”, it’s revealed that Colin discovers Penelope’s hidden truth before he proposes to her. Despite his initial anger about being kept in the dark, he is both admiring and slightly envious of Penelope for living such an extraordinary life. However, he strongly urges her to cease her writing, a matter that escalates when Penelope’s article about Cressida not being Whistledown is published during their engagement ball. Yet, Colin eventually comes to terms with Penelope’s secret and even assists her in revealing it (details to follow shortly).

Instead of Colin, it’s clear that he struggles immensely to accept both his deep affection for Pen and his intense dislike for Lady Whistledown. Notably, the pair often find themselves separated during the second part of the season, as Colin grapples with the emotional turmoil this predicament presents him.

In Romancing Mister Bridgerton, character Lady Danbury is on a quest to discover the identity of Lady Whistledown and even puts forth a £1,000 bounty for anyone uncovering her secret. On the TV series, it’s Queen Charlotte who extends this reward, but instead offers an increased sum of £5,000 for the same purpose.

Prior to Penelope’s true identity being disclosed, on two separate occasions, Cressida steps forward, pretending to be Lady Whistledown to claim the reward. In the novel, Cressida finds herself financially strapped after her husband’s passing, and she sees an opportunity to secure the prize money with this deception.

In my perspective, compared to other characters in Show Cressida’s world, her situation presents a unique twist. Her parents are intending to marry her off to an elderly nobleman, which I find quite unusual for someone as vibrant and young as she is. To break free from this arranged marriage, I aspire to unveil myself as Whistledown, hoping the £5,000 reward will enable me to evade this fate.

In the book and the television adaptation, Cressida uncovers Penelope’s secret in different ways; in the former, it’s through recognizing Penelope’s unique phrase, while in the latter, she learns it from a printing shop apprentice. However, in both cases, Cressida threatens to expose Penelope if she doesn’t receive £10,000, revealing the secret she’s discovered.

However, we wonder how Penelope’s secret gets discovered? In the story, Colin steps up to break the news at Daphne and Simon’s grand ball, held by his sister. He publicly expresses his affection for his wife, only to then unveil Penelope’s true identity. As planned, both Anthony and Simon swiftly endorse Penelope, making it challenging for the guests to remain angry with her.

During the program, instead, Penelope decides to act independently. She extends an invitation to Queen Charlotte for her sisters’ dance, then presents her case to the high society, hoping for the Queen’s approval. Luckily for her, the Queen responds favorably.

In the previous season, Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest sibling, and his wife Kate had their romantic tale unfold – a narrative adapted from the book “The Viscount Who Loved Me“. For the new couple in Season 3, who are based on characters from book four, there are significant differences. Unlike in the books where they’ve been married for ten years, this time around, they’re newlyweds, residing within Anthony’s mother’s house at Bridgerton Manor and eagerly awaiting their first child together.

The newlywed couple is deeply smitten with one another, fortunately, this affection is evident not only in the series but also in the novel.

In the captivating world of Bridgerton, I found myself utterly engrossed by the enigmatic characters of Will Mondrich, portrayed brilliantly by Martins Imhangbe, and his wife Alice Mondrich, played by Emma Naomi. Although they aren’t directly featured in the books, their narrative in season three was nothing short of riveting. Their entrance into high society and Will’s decision to part with his club to maintain social graces were intriguing twists that I simply couldn’t get enough of!

Readers who enjoy the show might find it noteworthy that book four marks the last appearance of Lady Whistledown in the Bridgerton series. Following the unveiling of her true identity, Penelope concludes that spending nearly a dozen years as Whistledown is sufficient, and thus she makes the decision to step down from her writing role.

On the show, however, Penelope continues writing, but does so under her own name.

2024-09-16 23:50

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