Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in “Bridgerton” Season 3 on Netflix.

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Since the third season of Bridgerton concluded last month, rumors have been swirling about which sibling will lead the show in Season 4. The regal drama finally announced that Benedict Bridgerton’s story is coming next season. Here’s what to know about his romance and what’s likely to come.

Showrunner Jess Brownell switched things up when she decided to tell Colin and Penelope’s story — the fourth book in Julia Quinn’s series — in the third season. This opened up the possibility for any of the Bridgerton siblings to take center stage next, with Benedict, Eloise, or Francesca as the frontrunners due to their age and recent story arcs.

Fortunately, fans didn’t have to wait long to find out the answer. On July 23, the show announced that Benedict would be the focus of Season 4. The teaser video featured clips of Benedict from previous seasons, along with a special appearance by Luke Thompson, the actor who portrays him.

“It has been brought to this author’s attention that perhaps it is time to unmask the newest suitor of the marriage mart… Benedict Bridgerton’s story is coming next season,” the caption of the post read.

Bridgerton. Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in episode 307 of Bridgerton.

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Benedict Bridgerton is the second eldest son of the Bridgerton family. The Netflix series expands on his beloved character by exploring his journey as an artist and experimenting with his sexuality and identity.

In the Season 3 finale, Tilley proposes a monogamous relationship with Benedict, which he rejects. Brownell told TVLine that his conversation with Lady Tilly provides a significant hint about Benedict’s future in Season 4.

“I think that he is someone who has never been able to commit. Not only to a person, but to a path or a passion or even a hobby,” she said. “He’s a renaissance man and that comes with it, the ability to do lots of different things.”

What Is Benedict Bridgerton’s Sexuality?

Bridgerton. (L to R) Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, Hannah New as Lady Tilley Arnold in … [+]

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The show’s writers describe Benedict Bridgerton “as being pansexual,” Brownell revealed to TVLine. She added that for his character, “gender is not that important when he is finding attraction.”

Benedict was in a throuple with the widowed Lady Tilley Arnold and her friend Paul Suarez in season three. In the book series, Julia Quinn does not refer to Benedict being queer. The author recently defended the show’s decision to gender-swap Francesca’s love interest from Michael to Michaela.

“I trust Shondaland’s vision for Bridgerton, but I wanted to be sure that we could remain true to the spirit of the book and of the characters,” the bestselling author wrote on Instagram on June 25. “Jess and I talked for a long time about it. More than once. I made it clear that it was extremely important to me that Francesca’s abiding love for John be shown on screen.”

Quinn also urged fans to grant her and the Shondaland team “some faith as we move forward.”

Who Does Benedict Bridgerton Marry In The Books?

“Bridgerton” Season 3 is streaming on Netflix.

COURTESY OF NETFLIX
In the third book, “An Offer From A Gentleman,” Benedict marries Sophie Beckett — the daughter of an Earl who eventually becomes her mother’s maid — in a Cinderella-like fairytale romance.

“Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight,” the book’s description reads.

The summary continues, “Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?”

Sophie has yet to be introduced on screen in the Netflix series. Brownell told The Wrap that Sophie’s introduction “is definitely still in the cards, but we are going to continue to explore his fluidity.”

She also teased that a “masquerade ball coming up shortly” in the Netflix series, which is how Benedict and Sophie meet in book three. “At the end of Season 3, Eloise says to Benedict that she’s going to be home in a few months for Violet’s masquerade ball, so there will be a masquerade ball coming up shortly,” Brownell said.

When Will Bridgerton Season 4 Come Out On Netflix?

Bridgerton. (L to R) Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, … [+]

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Netflix has not announced a release date for Season 4. Showrunner Jess Brownell said the the fourth season will likely take two years to arrive on Netflix. That means Benedict’s season will likely arrive sometime in 2026.

The first three seasons of Bridgerton are streaming on Netflix. Watch the official announcement below.