Dear readers, the day has finally come.
What were once just hopes and dreams is now officially a reality.
The main romantic couple of Bridgerton Season 4 will be Benedict and Sophie!
Fans’ voices have been heard
Fans of the book series are well aware that the love story of middle sons Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Beckett was skipped over last season’s TV timeline.
Season three gave us a look at the romance between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington (“Pauline”), and it was so cute.
But what about Benofi?
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Benedict is a fan favorite, and the show’s delaying his story (the third in the book series’ timeline) to an indefinite future season has many fans complaining.
Sophie Beckett is another fan favorite of the book. Her story in Book Three (A Gentleman’s Proposal) is a straight-up Cinderella retelling, complete with masquerade ball.
Who is Sophie Beckett?
Sophie is the “other side of the blanket” child of an earl who is sent to live with him after her mother dies. He takes her in as his guardian, but she’s basically just a servant. The Count allowed his wife Araminta and her two daughters to treat her badly while thinking that he had fulfilled his duty to her.
Anyway, when Sophie grows up, she sneaks out to attend a masquerade ball and meets Benedict, and the story unfolds step by step like Cinderella.
Even within the book series, this story is the only fairy tale retelling. Skipping it on Netflix’s timeline makes sense because the show is establishing its own world and rules for viewers.
Additionally, much of Book Three takes place in the countryside, away from Tonnage and Bridgerton Hall and all the settings familiar to television viewers.
There are a lot of elements that are very different from what’s in the TV series, so it makes sense that Benedict’s story would be skipped, and I honestly don’t think they’ll ever get it all done.
What makes Benedict’s story so moving?
I think actor Luke Thompson is responsible for highlighting Benedict’s story in the TV timeline. He has become a fan favorite, which may have turned the tide in his favor.
One of the showrunners’ coy excuses for skipping Benedict’s story in Season 3 was that the character’s energy and popularity with fans made them want to extend his story and extend his character’s development time.
There is a two-year time span after the masquerade, during which Benedict attempts to find his mysterious dance partner, Sophie.
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This could provide the show with an opportunity to continue developing Benedict while moving his and Sophie’s story forward.
Even if we have to wait for a few episodes where the main characters are separated, this will give fans some respite!
Benedict’s art is more prominent in book three, which fits nicely with the way the show has developed aspects of his personality over the past two seasons.
How is Sophie’s character different?
Sophie is a very sympathetic character who endures truly horrific pain from her family. Although their upbringings were very different, her resilience and optimism made her a perfect temperamental match for Benedict.
It’s exciting to have a central female character that we haven’t seen before. It’s so exciting to know who will play her in season 4!
She would also be an interesting heroine because she comes from a completely different world than the characters we’ve already seen in the series.
or have us?
Sophie’s evil stepmother in the book is named Araminta.
Mrs. Cowper’s name has not yet been mentioned in the show, but eagle-eyed fans have spotted Instagram posts from the actress who plays her (Joanna Bobin) and the show’s wig artist who appear to confirm that the character is indeed named Yes – wait for it – Araminta!
Although this development will make cosmic In a sense, this doesn’t fit with the timeline or events of the book, and neither stepdaughter is named Cressida.
My guess (and fervent wish!) is that Cressida was Aunt Joanna in Wells, but again, that doesn’t apply to book canon.
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But as exciting as it is to have a new-to-us heroine, I don’t want to see the show twist itself and try to fit the Cowpers into the narrative instead of giving us a whole new family of bad guys.
Bridgerton Season 4 Could Be a Game-Changer
The Netflix series may surprise us with a gender-flip of Sophie’s character.
Benedick seemed to enjoy the various caresses in season three.
If all eight of Julia Quinn’s books are filmed, Bridgerton season 4 will mark the middle of the series. It could also completely reinvigorate the franchise.
After three seasons, we have enough history and investment in these characters to go in different directions in future seasons.
Sophie’s introduction will likely save us from having to attend the Queen’s debut ceremony that kicked off the previous season.
Yes, it’s enjoyable. But changing that expectation would mean this season could change the trajectory of the series and even bring surprises to those who love the books.
(Perhaps also freeing up Queen Charlotte for a second season of her own series.)
No matter what happens, Bridgerton fans can unite and rest easy knowing that Benedict will eventually get what he deserves.
The countdown to the Bridgerton Season 4 premiere begins!
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