There’s love in the air for Benedict Bridgerton!
Following Bridgerton‘s “Season of Love” fan event on Valentine’s Day, the Netflix series released the first photos from the upcoming fourth season, which sees Luke Thompson take the lead as he falls in love with Yerin Ha’s Sophie — and a sneak peek at filming, which remains ongoing in London.
In the sneak peek, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) declares the beginning of “another season,” and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) welcomes fans to the set.
A series of clips from upcoming episodes then play, showing Benedict and Eloise (Claudia Jessie) as they promenade; Portia (Polly Walker) having a sweet moment with her new son-in-law, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), and him having his own sweet moment with his wife Penelope (Nicola Coughlan).
Then the masquerade ball begins, held by Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), which is where Benedict will meet Sophie — “a captivating Lady in Silver” who changes his mind after he’s been against the idea of settling down.
During a moment under a gazebo, Sophie says it’s a “spectacular night” as Benedict looks at her. Later, they get closer to share a dance and Benedict tells her, “Do not worry, I will not tell my mother.”
The new footage reveals that Sophie — who is described to be an unusual guest at a high society event, given she has “been forced to spend much of her life working for the most demanding employer in the ton” — works as a housemaid for one of the families.
The sneak peek concludes with a look at Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), who will be returning alongside wife Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), waving at the camera.
Along with the footage, the first-look photos tease the romance to come between Benedict and Sophie, as well as a new look at season 3 lovebirds Colin and Penelope, who are settling nicely into newlywed life — and parenthood!
In one photo, Penelope and Colin proudly bring their son to the Bridgerton home to spend time with Portia, Violet and Hyacinth (Florence Hunt).
There’s also love in the air for Violet, who hit it off with Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), the estranged brother to Lady Danbury, in season 3 — a romance that seems like it will continue to flourish in season 4, based on the sweet photo of them smiling together.
Fans also got their first look at some new faces joining in season 4. Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung) and her daughters Posy Li (Isabella Wei) and Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) seem poised to make quite an entrance in the Ton, as Lady Araminta is keen to marry off at least one of her daughters this season.
Production began on season 4 in September, and Thompson, 36, told Netflix’s Tudum that his character’s story explores “the struggle between a proper old-school fairy tale — the romance of it — and the actual reality of the world.”
“I get really excited by how many unexpected twists you’ll get in season 4,” he said.
The chemistry between him and Ha, who was announced as the romantic interest for the season in August, was immediate.
“I remember Luke stood there with arms wide open, just ready for an embrace, Ha, 29, told Tudum of the first time she met Thompson at showrunner Jess Brownell’s home. “That was the moment I was like, ‘Ah, OK, I don’t need to stress about these little things now. I can just genuinely focus on the on-screen connection with him.'”
Hannah Dodd (Francesca Stirling), Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton), Victor Alli (Lord John Stirling), Masali Baduza (Michaela Stirling), Hugh Sachs (Brimsley), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Varley), Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich) and Emma Naomi (Alice Mondrich) are all returning for season 4, which is based on Julia Quinn’s An Offer from a Gentleman.
Julie Andrews will also return to voice Lady Whistledown.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Seasons 1-3 of Bridgerton can be streamed on Netflix.
Read the full article here
