Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1: Sophie Baek’s Cinderella romance refreshes the series

Collider reviewer Carly Lane writes on Jan. 29, 2026 that Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 on Netflix refreshes the Shondaland series with a Cinderella‑style upstairs/downstairs romance between Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and newcomer Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). The plot opens at a Bridgerton masquerade where Benedict encounters a mysterious woman in silver who leaves behind a glove.

Lane explains Sophie is a maid who snuck into the ball and returns the next day to household chores and a fraught relationship with her stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung). Yerin Ha is praised as “luminous,” giving Sophie both naivety and clear‑eyed cynicism, while Thompson reveals new layers to Benedict.

Lane highlights several standout moments that build romantic tension and notes each episode runs over an hour, allowing more space for character work. Season 4 also broadens the series by focusing more on servants and the working class, with storylines for characters like Mrs. Wilson and Mrs.

Varley and stronger development for Lady Araminta. Lane calls Katie Leung’s performance a major surprise and says the show better balances its main romance with supporting plots. Part 1, comprising the first four episodes, is described as among the best the series has produced, though Lane warns the expanding ensemble leaves some characters underdeveloped.

bridgerton season 4, season 4 part 1, bridgerton season 4 review, sophie baek, yerin ha, benedict bridgerton, luke thompson, cinderella-style romance, upstairs downstairs romance, masquerade ball scene, left behind glove, lady araminta gun, katie leung performance, mrs. wilson storyline, mrs. varley storyline, servants and working class, supporting plotlines, longer episode runtime, first four episodes, carly lane review, collider review, julia quinn adaptation, an offer from a gentleman, shondaland series, nicola coughlan, lady whistledown