Luke Thompson as Benedict BridgertonA Bridgerton season 4 cast update reveals a character description for a potential key role. Based on the books by Julia Quinn, each season of Netflix’s series follows a different member of the eponymous family as they find love in an alternative version of Regency-era London, with season 3 focusing on the friendship-turned-romance between Colin and Penelope Featherington. Bridgerton season 4 has been renewed by Netflix, though much is unknown about the upcoming episodes, including who the lead character and central romance will be.

According to Collider, Bridgerton season 4 is currently casting a major recurring role, “Emily,” a character who is an “East Asian female” between the ages of 24-30 and described as “plucky, endlessly resourceful, and having trouble trusting others.” The role will involve nudity and sexual scenes, suggesting the character may be a love interest for one of the Bridgerton siblings.

Who “Emily” Could Be In Bridgerton Season 4?

It’s Likely Benedict’s Love Interest

Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) introduces her friend to Benedict Bridgerton in Bridgerton season 3 Part 2
Colin stands with Lady Tilly Arnold and other characters in Bridgerton season 3 still Benedict looking at artwork in Bridgerton season 1 Colin and Benedict talking to Eloise in Bridgerton season 2 Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton and Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in Bridgerton season 2, episode 8Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) introduces her friend to Benedict Bridgerton in Bridgerton season 3 Part 2
 Colin stands with Lady Tilly Arnold and other characters in Bridgerton season 3 still Benedict looking at artwork in Bridgerton season 1 Colin and Benedict talking to Eloise in Bridgerton season 2 Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton and Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in Bridgerton season 2, episode 8

High-profile series, such as Bridgerton, frequently employ code words to conceal casting for significant roles. The practice helps prevent spoilers and other information about future plotlines from being revealed. With this in mind, it’s reasonable to assume that “Emily” is actually a placeholder name for someone else who will be a major recurring character in Bridgerton season 4. Considering the casting information, “Emily” could be a code name for Sophie Beckett, Benedict’s love interest from the Bridgerton books.

Benedict is one of three candidates who could be the lead character in Bridgerton season 4, along with Francesca and Eloise, according to showrunner Jess Brownell. If Benedict is indeed the lead, it’s likely that “Emily” is actually Sophie Beckett. The mention of an “East Asian” ethnicity suggests the show could continue its trend of incorporating interracial couples. Nearly every Bridgerton sibling has been paired with people of color – Daphne and Simon Hastings, Anthony and Kate Sharma, and Francesa and John Stirling.

The character description for “Emily” strongly suggests she is Sophie Beckett, as it aligns with many of her traits from the books. However, it’s possible that “Emily” is an entirely new character created for the show. Additionally, Brownell has confirmed that Benedict is pansexual, so there’s no guarantee his eventual love interest will be female. As Bridgerton season 4 progresses through development and more information is revealed, audiences should have a clearer idea of who this “Emily” might be.