Netflix has finally announced which Bridgerton is on the 'marriage mart' for season 4, and we're not ready.

Part two of the latest Bridgerton season has only just dropped, but already we're wondering what season four will have in store. Or more specifically, which Bridgerton child will be next in the rotation. 

The good news is, Netflix has just announced the Bridgerton entering the ton's marriage mart will indeed be Benedict Bridgerton, the second-eldest son.

Played by British actor Luke Thompson, we're in for a steamy season with Benedict, who has been involved in his fair share of threesomes and sexual trysts since the start of the show.

Watch the season three trailer. Post continues after video.

Each instalment of the Netflix series by Shondaland, based on the book series written by Julia Quinn, focuses on the romantic pursuits of one member of the wealthy Bridgerton family in 19th century London. 

The first season focused on the sexy vibes between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) as their romance unfolded in the first book, The Duke And I.

Season two was based on The Viscount Who Loved Me, and chronicled Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) finding love with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). 

Who is the lead Bridgerton for season 4?

There were three options with three main siblings getting a bit of love in the latest season: Benedict, Eloise or Francesca. 

Showrunner Jess Brownell teased that there were signs in season three that point to the next season's subject. "I won’t give you anything, but I do think that there are some clues at the end of season three of where we’re headed," she told TV Insider. 

"I leave that to fans to pick apart, but I think we’re tipping our hand just a little bit."

Benedict Bridgerton was the subject of the third novel but was skipped in favour of the love story between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), which was the focus of the fourth novel Romancing Mister Bridgerton.

With the series re-ordering the novels, fans were scratching their heads over what season four would be about and who would be the focus. 

It seems it's finally Benedict Bridgerton's time in the sun (and chance to shed his 'player' persona).

The actor who plays Benedict, Luke Thompson, previously said he hoped his character is next in line. "It’d be nice to give the character a full exploration, that’d be really fun, but the way the show runs — it’s a big ensemble show," he told Country and Town House. "As long as I’m given interesting things to do, I don’t really mind."

What a tease!

In February at a Bridgerton virtual event that offered a sneak peek at season three, Thompson low-key spilled the beans about his character's state of mind towards the end of season, which happened to mirror how An Offer From A Gentleman begins — all but confirming season four will be Benedict's season. 

There was also a cheeky clue in the season three finale: as Eloise departs for Scotland to live with her younger sister Francesca, she tells Benedict that she will return before their mother's masquerade ball, teasing what's to come next season. And guess what? This is where Benedict meets his love interest Sophie Beckett.

Benedict was also considered the most likely protagonist for season four, as each season culminates in a wedding and he will be the eldest Bridgerton not married after season three. In Regency-era London? The horror!

We've dug up all the info on what we can expect next. 

What is Bridgerton season 4 about?

Benedict will be the subject of season three as his book, An Offer From A Gentleman, was actually the third book in the series and was skipped in favour of Colin's novel. 

In order to keep continuity for the storylines to come, it makes sense to go back to Benedict's book.

Who me? Image: Netflix. 

To announce Benedict as the next Bridgerton lead, Netflix released a reel of actor Luke Thompson being offered a suit for said masquerade ball. 

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In it, we see a close up on several characters including Queen Charlotte and Eloise Bridgerton, as superimposed text writes, "". 

That is followed by a short clip of Luke Thompson, clearly emotional, saying, "I'm honoured to accept, your acceptance." Could this be a marriage proposal, we ask? 

"Welcome to the marriage mart, Benedict," the text then reads, as we cut to actor Luke Thompson out of his Regency-era get up. 

"I hear we're fitting you for a suit," the cameraman asks. "It's not for tonight. It's for the masquerade ball."

So, why is this ball so important to the story? Be careful, spoilers here for the novel An Offer From A Gentleman! 

In the novel, Sophie Beckett, the daughter of an earl who has been relegated to a servant by her evil step-mama sneaks into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball. 

She dances with the suave Benedict Bridgerton, but must leave at midnight. Benedict is consumed with attraction to the unknown woman, and he is blind to any suitors around him. However, he does find himself surprisingly drawn to a housemade that is oddly familiar and in need of saving.

Where are the other Bridgerton siblings in season 4?

Eloise (Claudia Jessie) was an obvious frontrunner after being a main character for most of season 3. However, Eloise is the focus of the fifth book, To Sir Phillip, With Love. So, we may need to wait a moment longer for her story.

Then there's Francesca (Hannah Dodd) who features more dominantly in season three than any other season. The character's book, When He Was Wicked, is the sixth novel in the Bridgerton series and without spoiling it... bring a box of tissues for her turn, it's going to stab you in the heart.

How many seasons will Bridgerton have?

Every Bridgerton season revolves around a sibling, which means that after Daphne, Anthony and Colin's seasons, we can expect five more instalments. Yep, Bridgerton ain't going anywhere. 

The following seasons will be based around Benedict’s An Offer From A Gentleman, Eloise’s To Sir Phillip, With Love, Francesca’s When He Was Wicked before the younger siblings get some love, with Hyacinth’s It’s In His Kiss and Gregory’s On The Way To The Wedding.

Remember these random children? They're getting their own seasons, probably. Image: Netflix. 

What is the release date of Bridgerton season 4?

Sadly, it isn't expected anytime soon. Showrunner Jess Brownell told The Hollywood Reporter at the U.K. premiere for part two that we can expect a wait of up to two years. The pain!

"We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited and then they have to be dubbed into every language," Brownell told THR. 

"And the writing takes a very long time as well, so we're kind of on a two-year pace, we're trying to speed up, but somewhere in that range."

This will bring us to 2026... welp. Time to rewatch Bridgerton in its entirety (several times over) until then. 

Feature image: Netflix. 

This article was originally published on May 25, 2024 and has since been updated with new information.

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