Netflix's Bridgerton season 4 part 1, adapted from Julia Quinn's An Offer From a Gentleman, centers on Benedict Bridgerton's romance with maid Sophie Baek. The episodes build to a dramatic ending where Benedict asks Sophie to become his mistress, highlighting class divides in Regency England. Showrunner Jess Brownell explains the proposal as a significant mistake reflecting Benedict's unexamined privilege.
Bridgerton season 4 part 1 premiered on Netflix on January 29, 2026, focusing on the second-eldest Bridgerton son, Benedict (Luke Thompson), and his pursuit of the mysterious Lady in Silver encountered at his mother Violet's masquerade ball. The Lady in Silver is revealed to be Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), a resourceful maid under the control of her cruel stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung). Sophie sneaks into the ball disguised, sharing a romantic dance and kiss with Benedict before fleeing at midnight, leaving him with only a silver glove as a clue. Unaware of her identity, Benedict searches London in vain while Sophie is banished by Lady Araminta and seeks new employment elsewhere. Fate reunites them when Benedict rescues Sophie from trouble, leading to a stay at his cottage during a storm. There, their connection deepens through flirtatious moments, including a breakfast in his bedroom, kite-flying, and a pivotal first kiss by a lake where Benedict swims nude. Sophie later works as a maid for Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), earning the family's affection, though her feelings for Benedict complicate matters. After a steamy encounter on a staircase, where Benedict confesses she is 'more tantalizing than a fantasy,' he proposes: 'Sophie... be my mistress.' This offer, rooted in their insurmountable class differences—Benedict as a noble and Sophie as a servant—offends her, prompting her to flee without response. In an interview, showrunner Jess Brownell contextualizes the moment for modern audiences: 'In the time period it was not unreasonable for Benedict to think that this was the right ask,' but calls it 'a huge mistake for Benedict to make.' She adds, 'He should be seeing Sophie as more than her class... outrage is absolutely the right reaction.' Brownell attributes Benedict's conservatism to performative progressiveness: 'He is incredibly privileged and hasn't really reckoned with that privilege... Deep down, Benedict is not as brave as he would like to be.' The season features returning cast members like Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton, Claudia Jessie as Eloise, and Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, alongside new additions such as Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li and Isabella Wei as Posy Li. Part 1 sets up tensions around social norms and potential family repercussions for the Bridgertons.
