Benedict’s love story in Bridgerton has been long anticipated, but the show is not quite ready for it yet. Benedict’s book is the third love story in the Bridgerton series, but the show made Colin and Penelope the leads of season 3. There is much uncertainty surrounding which character will be the focus of Bridgerton season 4. The only potential contenders are Benedict, Eloise, and Francesca. However, both Eloise and Francesca have their love interests on screen already—Phillip Crane (although the two have not met yet) and Michaela Stirling (whom Francesca meets in season 3, episode 8, “Into The Light”).

Benedict needs more time to ensure that Bridgerton executes his love story well. His narrative has many crucial components that the show must accomplish correctly. The iconic masquerade ball where Benedict and his love interest, Sophie Beckett, meet is critical to their love story unfolding. However, other factors are important too, including the two-year time jump that may happen after Bridgerton season 3’s ending and Benedict’s home, also known as My Cottage.

Who Benedict Ends Up With In Bridgerton

Everything you need to know about Sophie Beckett

Benedict Bridgerton’s love interest in the books is Sophie Beckett. She is the only Bridgerton love interest of the older children that has not been introduced. Sophie is the illegitimate child of the Earl of Penwood; he raised her as his ward. However, eventually, he remarried, introducing Araminta as Sophie’s stepmother and Rosamund and Posy as her stepsisters. The earl dies shortly afterward, leaving the dowager countess to abuse Sophie until she runs away at 21 years old.

Rosamund sides with her mother and torments Sophie as well. However, Posy is not cruel like her sister or mother—she eventually reconciles with Sophie.

Sophie is resilient, kind, and thoughtful. She desires a loving family and a secure life, two things her father robbed Sophie of when he refused to claim her as his daughter. Sophie also struggles as a working-class woman in the Regency era. Her desires and struggles often intertwine together. Sophie often does not act on her desires because of the struggles she has faced her entire life. She refuses to subject another person to the life she lived, promising to never birth to an illegitimate child. An Offer From A Gentleman gives Sophie’s arc more page time than Benedict’s.

Why Benedict & Sophie’s Romance Is So Perfect

The Perfect Combination Of Angst And Romance

Benedict and Sophie’s love story is the most enchanting Bridgerton romance. They meet at a masquerade ball that Sophie attends because she escapes in disguise. It is a coup de foudre, plucked from any Cinderella retelling. Benedict and Sophie only spend a few short hours together before they part ways for two years. Nevertheless, they both know they have found their soul mate by the end of the magical night. When they meet again two years later, Benedict is torn between his “newfound” love for Sophie and his love for the Lady in Silver, without realizing they are the same person.

Their love is eternal and true, and when angst and romance mix in Bridgerton , the result is often magic.

Sophie’s head and heart are constantly in conflict. She wants to be with Benedict and join the Bridgerton family, but she knows that because of her social status, she can never be anything more than his mistress. Benedict and Sophie also have some of the most romantic quotes in the entire Bridgerton series. Their love is eternal and true, and when angst and romance mix in Bridgerton, the result is often magic. When Benedict and Sophie finally resolve their conflicts, the romance is worth the wait.

“At the masquerade,” she said, her voice uncharacteristically shaky, “even before I saw you, I felt you. Anticipation. Magic. There was something in the air. And when I turned, and you were there, it was as if you’d been waiting for me, and I knew that you were the reason I’d stolen into the ball.”

Why You’ll Have To Wait For Benedict’s Story

Sophie Beckett Needs Her Time (And So Does Benedict)

There are a few factors Bridgerton has to get right to execute Benedict and Sophie’s romance flawlessly. The masquerade ball where they meet is one of their most important scenes. The two-year time jump is also critical because Benedict spends months searching for Sophie and the remainder of the two years in despair over not finding her. The best action would be to have the masquerade ball in Bridgerton season 4, but dedicate season 5 to Benedict and Sophie’s romance, picking up two years later. Viewers would endure the full impact of Sophie’s heartbreak and Benedict’s hopelessness.

Furthermore, Benedict also requires more screen time to round out his character before meeting Sophie. Benedict explores his sexuality in Bridgerton season 3 as he finds both men and women attractive. His unwillingness to commit to Lady Tilley proves he needs to learn more about himself before he is ready to meet Sophie. Having one more season to finish exploring his character will not only make him ready to fall in love with Sophie twice, but it will also give Sophie the necessary screen time she needs to develop her backstory and character thoroughly.

Benedict and Sophie easily have one of the best romances of all the Bridgerton books; it is an instant classic. However, those who have read the books know that the execution must be perfect, and in order to do that, Benedict and Sophie need their space to grow. Therefore, it is ideal for Benedict and Sophie to take center stage in Bridgerton season 5. However, at the end of season 3, episode 8, “Into The Light,” Eloise and Benedict briefly discuss Violet’s masquerade ball, suggesting that Benedict and Sophie might be the main characters in season 4 after all.