Bridgerton’s Yerin Ha reflects on being the show’s first East Asian lead: “It’s what I dreamed about”

by

Ever since Bridgerton premiered in 2020, the period drama has been praised for its commitment to showcasing diversity.

Bridgerton has become known for showcasing diverse actors like Regé-Jean Page, Simone Ashley, and Yerin Ha in leading romantic roles – a refreshing change from traditional period dramas.

The fourth season of the show continued to be successful, and a notable change was made to the character previously known as Julia Quinn, who was renamed Sophie Baek to reflect the Korean heritage of actress Ha. Since this season’s release, Ha has received well-deserved praise for her acting, and fans have warmly embraced her leading role in the series.

Describing what it’s like to be the first East Asian lead in Bridgerton is difficult to put into words, but Ha told TopMob for Pass the Mic that it’s been a lifelong dream. She explained that she moved to Korea specifically because she didn’t see anyone who looked like her in the romantic stories she loved.

Seeing women represented in art and recognizing their own beauty is incredibly empowering, and that’s the true strength of art. It can reshape how we see things and create a meaningful inner change, helping us feel differently about ourselves.

I consider achieving this a dream, and I’m committed to continuing my efforts. I’m confident I won’t be the last person to do so.

Ha believes the show’s diverse casting will move the industry toward a future where representation isn’t a talking point – where people of all backgrounds can see themselves in any role. She particularly appreciates seeing someone like Katie Leung play a villain, finding it a welcome change.

Before becoming famous for Bridgerton, Ha appeared in shows like Dune: Prophecy, Halo, and The Survivors. However, her popularity is expected to increase even further now that she’s finished her successful role on Bridgerton.

Ha is taking on the main romantic role this season, and she’ll be joined by Katie Leung, who plays her stepmother, the villainous Lady Araminta Gun. Araminta’s daughters, Rosamund (played by Michelle Mao) and Posy (played by Isabella Wei), will also be featured.

As we continue to witness these changes, we’ll move closer to a future where everyone is more content and has equal opportunities.

Want to see this content?

Hey, so I really want to show you this, but it looks like there’s a quick security check involved. It’s a thing called Google reCAPTCHA, and I need your okay to let it load so you can actually see the content. It’s just a standard thing to make sure everything’s legit!

You can now stream seasons 1 through 4 of Bridgerton on Netflix. If you’d like to read the books that inspired the show, they are available for purchase on Amazon.

Don’t miss Bridgerton! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and the latest features.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing, freelancing, and holds a degree in English Literature.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-03-01 12:04