Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell broke her silence concerning the backlash Benedict acquired for his surprising mistress provide in season 4.
Throughout the first a part of the brand new season, which premiered on Thursday, January 29, Benedict (Luke Thompson) finds himself falling in love with two totally different girls: a mysterious visitor at his mom’s ball and a maid named Sophie (Yerin Ha). Viewers — and people who learn Julia Quinn‘s ebook An Supply From a Gentleman — know that the 2 girls are the identical individual, however Benedict struggles together with his emotions, particularly as a result of Sophie’s social class would forestall them from getting married within the Regency period.
Benedict finally thinks of an thought, which he suggests to Sophie after they hook up in his mom’s residence on a staircase (to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Unhealthy Concept Proper?”). He tells Sophie she deserves higher … solely to then ask her to be his mistress.
“Within the time interval, it was not unreasonable for Benedict to suppose that this was the precise ask,” Brownell informed TVLine whereas admitting it was “an enormous mistake for Benedict to make.”
Season 4 of Bridgerton pulls inspiration from Julia Quinn‘s ebook An Supply From a Gentleman — however there have been additionally a number of main modifications. The newest season of Bridgerton follows Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) love story with Sophie (Yerin Ha) from the third novel in Quinn’s collection. As some followers know, Benedict’s world will get turned upside […]
Brownell acknowledged that viewers rooting for the fictional romance is probably not thrilled, including, “He needs to be seeing Sophie as greater than her class. For him to make that ask in that second, outrage is totally the precise response.”
Whereas reflecting on Benedict’s outdated view of marriage, Brownell defined why the character reverts again to conventional values with regards to discovering a spouse.
“Plenty of his progressiveness, not together with his sexuality, however in different methods, has been performative,” she famous. “He’s extremely privileged and hasn’t actually reckoned with that privilege. He has loved life to the fullest, however has by no means executed something actually scary.”
Brownell additionally pointed on the market could be penalties if Benedict had been to pursue an precise relationship with a maid. Regardless of the Bridgertons’ social standing, they’d be punished by society, and this might have an effect on Benedict’s sisters, who would not be thought-about viable choices for marriage.
“Deep down, Benedict is just not as courageous as he want to be as a result of he’s by no means actually stepped out in a manner the place he’s needed to be courageous,” Brownell added.
Brownell beforehand mentioned she was excited to lastly discover Benedict because the romantic lead of the present. After his season was delayed on account of Colin’s (Luke Newton) love story being moved up regardless of the unique ebook order, Brownell teased her imaginative and prescient for Benedict.
“It felt vital for him to discover the fullness of himself earlier than he settles down. He’s somebody who has massive appetites, and we needed to see him residing a giant life earlier than he goes into settle-down mode,” she informed Netflix’s Tudum in June 2024 about Benedict exploring his sexuality. “I’m excited for the place we’re going with him in season 4. There are loads of issues I wish to say about it, however I ought to in all probability wait.”
Extra just lately Thompson, 37, and Ha, 28, mentioned taking up as the following Bridgerton leads.
“We did get on, and it’s a bizarre sort of factor as a result of it’s not a prerequisite,” Thompson informed City & Nation earlier this month. “Chemistry in life doesn’t essentially translate into chemistry [on screen]. Actors are way more comfy residing in that make-believe world — I used to be in all probability a lot shyer assembly her in actual life than doing the scenes.”
Thompson mirrored on what would drive Benedict. “He loves the romance and the fairy-tale nature of issues, however he’s not so good with actuality and what that truly requires — possibly negotiating an actual relationship with somebody,” he defined. “He’s a bit caught in fairy land.”
He added: “Her downside is that possibly she doesn’t dare to dream a lot, in order that they full one another in that manner. There’s one thing very trendy about that.”
Half 2 of Bridgerton season 4 releases on Netflix Thursday, February 26.
