Bridgerton season 4’s leading couple talk about their Cinderella story and steamy river scene: “It was cold in the water, though”

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Every young actor hopes for a breakthrough role, and Luke Thompson just landed a truly iconic one. He’s not just starring in the next season of Bridgerton, he’s having his very own ‘Mr. Darcy emerging from the lake’ moment – complete with a drenched shirt and a captivated admirer! It’s a scene straight out of a classic romantic drama.

Thompson said he was thrilled to take on the challenge of finding love in this season of the show, and he playfully acknowledged the irony, given that he’s been playing Benedict Bridgerton since the beginning.

You know, I kept teasing Tom [Thompson] that he looked just like Mr. Darcy while we were filming! I mean, he really did have that whole brooding, handsome prince vibe, especially in those scenes. Honestly, a little part of me was jealous – it was a gorgeous September day and I would have loved to jump in the water with him when he came out of his swim! We had such beautiful weather while filming that scene.

Thompson recalls the water being very cold. They repeated the process five or six times, and the most challenging part was the feeling of potentially losing consciousness, immediately followed by instructions to start over. There wasn’t enough time to warm up between attempts.

Even though Bridgerton’s nods to the classic BBC version of Pride and Prejudice can feel a bit cheesy, Thompson explains that fans actually enjoy—and even expect—these familiar romantic moments. The show is full of classic romance tropes, like characters meeting in dramatic ways—whether it’s a scene by the water or a whirlwind romance at a masked ball.

This season of the popular Regency-era drama centers around Benedict Bridgerton, the free-spirited second son of the family. Despite his mother, Lady Violet Bridgerton, repeatedly urging him to find a wife, he resists settling down. That is, until he’s captivated by a striking woman, known only as the Lady in Silver, at a masquerade ball where guests wear masks that hide their faces.

Benedict, with some hesitation from his sister Eloise, begins trying to figure out who a mysterious woman is. He doesn’t know she isn’t part of London’s high society and isn’t looking for a husband. In reality, she’s Sophie Baek, a clever maid, and their paths are about to cross.

Benedict finds himself torn between his feelings for the woman he’s imagined and a captivating housemaid, not realizing they are actually the same person.

The most important thing for Thompson’s unrequited love story was a strong connection with the actress, Ha, and that connection needed to be believable. They first met, fittingly, on a Zoom call.

Thompson chuckled, clearly enjoying another joke referencing swimming. Meanwhile, a straightforward Australian appeared less than impressed.

Thompson, a Rada graduate who enjoys reading Dostoevsky, felt an immediate connection during her audition with Yerin. She admits it might sound superficial, but she knew right away it was a good fit.

The story begins with Benedict resembling a modern Prince Harry, and his relationship with Sophie mirrors the dynamic between Harry and Meghan Markle – she comes from a different, less privileged background.

So, I was chatting with Emma Thompson and Ha Jung-woo, and I jokingly pointed out that their characters felt a lot like Harry and Meghan. They both immediately cracked up! Emma actually said she hadn’t even considered that connection herself, which I thought was pretty funny.

Everyone interprets things based on their own perspective,” says Ha. “At its heart, this story is about self-discovery – understanding who you are. I was particularly drawn to Sophie because she’s true to herself, no matter what. There’s a lot of tension created by the difference in their social standings; he comes from a wealthy family, and she doesn’t.”

What makes their connection special is that they accept each other completely and begin to challenge traditional expectations. It’s a natural dynamic. Ha likes to compare their story to Cinderella, with a lost shoe and Sophie facing hardship from her stepmother, Araminta Gun (played by Katie Leung), and her two cruel stepsisters, Rosamund and Posy (Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei).

What really struck me about both Benedict and Sophie’s stories is how they’re both, in a way, on the fringes of society. Benedict is exploring who he is and his desires in a hidden world, while Sophie is constantly facing judgment from the upper class. The director, Thompson, and the actress Ha clearly get this. It’s fascinating to learn that Ha’s family has a strong acting background – her grandparents were actors in South Korea! She actually grew up in Sydney but spent three years studying acting in Korea before returning to Australia for formal training at NIDA. You can feel that understanding in her performance.

Thompson was born in England, raised in France, and returned to England at age 20. He found it odd to be in the place of his birth but feel like an outsider, not understanding the local culture. He believes others might relate to this feeling of not quite belonging.

Both characters share a common thread: they’re skilled at hiding who they truly are, often using disguises and masks. As Thompson puts it, they exist in a dual state – being both themselves and someone else entirely. This makes a masquerade ball a fitting starting point for their story, as it’s a place built on deception and hidden identities.

You can buy the Bridgerton book series on Amazon.

Okay, seriously, if you haven’t added Bridgerton to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app yet, you NEED to! I just downloaded the app and it’s awesome – it gives you daily TV recommendations and all sorts of fun features. Definitely check it out!

Authors

Benji Wilson

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2026-01-19 20:52