![Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton against a smashed family portrait](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bridgerton-benedict-luke-thompson-bridgerton-cast.jpg)
That’s not to say that Netflix’s has struggled to tell the right stories, even with changes to the Bridgerton books. In fact, some of the more interesting story elements have been introduced as unique to the Netflix show. And while I should know to trust the showrunners, I love Benedict’s book story so much that anything that compromises its magic is troubling, to say the least.
Benedict Turns Down Love After Having His Sexual Epiphany
![Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton Looking Shocked in Bridgerton](https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/luke-thompson-as-benedict-bridgerton-looking-shocked-in-bridgerton.jpg)
![Paul (Lucas Aurelio) and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) kissing while Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) looks at them in Bridgerton season 3 episode 7](https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bridgerton-season-3-episode-7-21.jpg)
![Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New), Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), and Paul (Lucas Aurelio) lying in bed after sharing an intimate moment in Bridgerton season 3 episode 8](https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bridgerton-season-3-episode-8-4.jpg)
![Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton Looking Shocked in Bridgerton](https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/luke-thompson-as-benedict-bridgerton-looking-shocked-in-bridgerton.jpg)
![Paul (Lucas Aurelio) and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) kissing while Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) looks at them in Bridgerton season 3 episode 7](https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bridgerton-season-3-episode-7-21.jpg)
![Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New), Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), and Paul (Lucas Aurelio) lying in bed after sharing an intimate moment in Bridgerton season 3 episode 8](https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bridgerton-season-3-episode-8-4.jpg)
In Bridgerton season 3, Benedict Bridgerton’s story diverges from Julia Quinn’s books. Thrust into a casual but passionate entanglement with Lady Tilley (Hannah New), Benedict embraces a more fluid sexuality when he meets Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio), another of her lovers. It’s immediately clear that Benedict’s eyes are open to a world of pleasures previously closed off to him, and ultimately, he breaks things off with Lady Tilley when she expresses feelings.
Benedict’s path now is set up to be one of sexual adventure, through which he will discover himself, just as much as Eloise’s trip to Scotland will afford her a similar evaluation. He spent most of season 3 evading over-zealous mothers attempting to foist their eligible daughters upon him, despite him not announcing his intent to marry this season. That aversion to commitment came well before his bisexuality became a factor, and that doesn’t necessarily bode well for his romantic story from the books.
How Can Benedict Settle With Sophie If He Won’t Settle?
![Luke Thompson as Benedict smiling in Bridgerton season 3](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/luke-thompson-as-benedict-in-bridgerton-season-3.jpg)
The problem with Benedict’s new story is how he gets to his “happy ending” with Sophie as it is originally written in Quinn’s books. Benedict has just told Lady Tilley he doesn’t want to settle down, but to marry Sophie, he has to walk that back immediately. And it wouldn’t just be a matter of using his commitment phobia as something to add more to the drama, because Benedict’s identity is also an important factor.
Right now, it’s impossible not to read Bridgerton’s Benedict story as positioning him as a “lost boy” archetype, and I admit I’ve worried a little that his sexuality is a means to underline that trope. While that would be somewhat reductive, there is a way to avoid using sexuality as a device for narrative tension before the course “rights itself”.
Part of that, too, would require the show to write Benedict’s story in a way that doesn’t present his sexuality as a thing to be conquered in order to find his happiness. Benedict should end up with Sophie, but there must be an acknowledgment that his heteronormative relationship doesn’t mean he’s not bisexual. That isn’t something I’d expect to be a problem, given how the show has navigated identity storylines, but it’s something I will watch develop with great interest.
Anyway, the good news for fans of Benedict and Sophie’s story is that season 3 showrunner Jess Brownell explained why we’ve not seen any of it, and seems to have confirmed a conventional endgame for Benedict:
“…We were just excited to spend a little more time with Benedict before he settles down. He’s a very impulsive, passionate character, and we wanted to see where his impulses and passions would take him before we tell his happily ever after.”
So yes, it might be more difficult to envisage at the minute without some sort of major compromise, but we are heading there. The question I have is now just how…
Why Benedict & Sophie’s Story Can Still Happen In Bridgerton Season 4
![Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/luke-thompson-as-benedict-bridgerton.jpg)
As I’ve already alluded to, Benedict not wanting to fall in love and it happening anyway is a popular and well-trodden romance trope. Mr Darcy was a stoical lone wolf when we met him and his journey to romantic revelation was more gripping because of his own resistance. That would be very easy for Bridgerton to write in too, but there’s more to consider here.
Benedict is the emotional heart of the Bridgerton family, at times counsel to multiple characters and an obviously very loving figure to all of his siblings. His instinct is to remain in the home, even as his siblings leave it to find themselves. Benedict could have left the Ton to explore his sexuality with greater ease, but instead he seems intent on doing so without turning his world upside down.
Luke Thompson himself talked about the emotional reward he gets from his family, which somewhat replaces his need for intimate connection (beyond something physical):
“…What’s also interesting is that maybe they’re sort of standing in each other’s way a little bit. I think there’s a lot of emotional intimacy, that Benedict gets from his family and Eloise in particular. You sort of think, ‘Well if you’re going to find someone specific, you’re going to have to let go a little bit, or hold on a little less tightly to those relationships.’ It’s very hard, when you have such a connection, and it’s such an old connection, like brother and sister, it’s really hard to make space for other stuff.”
Benedict’s position at the end of Bridgerton season 3 is different, though. His family circle is increasingly pulling smaller: Eloise’s move to Scotland will leave him emotionally unsatisfied and all of his siblings are either enveloped in their own romantic stories, absent entirely, or too young for the same level of connection. Even his mother is now embarking on a romantic journey, and it’s notable that Benedict doesn’t really have friends the same way his brothers do.
I can easily see a world where Benedict throws himself into more sexual relationships in season 4 to seek connection, before realising that his own declaration that he has a lot of love to give means more than simply sowing his oats. That adds a new element to Sophie’s potential arrival at the Masquerade ball and his subsequent Cinderella-like quest to find her.
In the Bridgerton books, it takes Benedict 2 years to reconnect with Sophie after the ball, which I would expect will be sped up for the series, but the time between the meet-cute and their eventual happy ending could very well see Benedict attempting to fill his emotional vacuum with more casual relationships.
News
Meghan Markle warning as insider reveals ‘gloves are off’ with rumours of next bombshell
The Sussexes were snubbed from an invite to Balmoral Castle, which may have been the last straw for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The couple may have hit their last straw (Image: Getty) Meghan Markle has been open with struggles of mental…
Prince William and Harry’s feud continues leaving King Charles with a tough decision to make
It appears that Prince William and Harry are no closer to reconciling their bitter feud, despite their father, King Charles, holding onto hope. A well-known royal author has revealed that King Charles is “extremely sad” over the ongoing rift between his sons. As he continues cancer treatment, King Charles is more…
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal titles at risk as King convenes Balmoral summit
If Harry were to lose his Prince title that would mean Archie and Lilibet could also lose theirs, but they would be able to use the Dumbarton titles while their parents will be known simply as the Sussexes. Prince Harry and Meghan…
Ultra rare footage of King Charles’ Christening from 1948 showing four generations of the royal family is found at thrift shop for less than £7
A man has revealed how he discovered ultra rare footage of King Charles‘ Christening in a thrift shop – for less than £7. Ronald Baxter Jr, 59, from Charleston, South Carolina, has been collecting since he was 10 years old and…
Kate Middleton ‘made phone call’ to Meghan at King’s request to ‘clear the air’ after Royal racism claims
Kate Middleton contacted Meghan Markle to address racism allegations after Omid Scobie’s book, claims insider. Kate Middleton reportedly contacted Meghan Markle following the explosive allegations of racism levelled against the royal family including her. The Duchess of Sussex had claimed that…
Prince William Just Sported a New Look That Was Previously Discouraged — and Sparked Tension with Prince Harry
The Prince of Wales, who appeared in a new video with Princess Kate, hasn’t been seen with facial hair since 2008 Prince William is experimenting with a new look this summer, one that has been at the center of a hairy…
End of content
No more pages to load