To this day, all television producers know that a good period series sells. People want to see people from other eras and discover that, in important matters, they were basically like us. They fell in love, had sex or tried to, went to work, went out at night, and had tremendous arguments with their family, partners, and friends. And it is comforting and interesting in the same way that it is when it is a contemporary series. Because we like to see people like us. Because watching human beings existing and having small everyday conflicts is interesting. That’s why no one dislikes a good gossip.

But there was a time when that was not seen that way. Making a period series costs money, because both sets and costumes and makeup cause production costs to skyrocket excessively. But there was a series that dramatically changed that upon its arrival on Netflix five years ago, at least in the eyes of the general public. That series was Bridgerton.

In the 19th century they were like us (the upper class)

Originally premiered on December 25, 2020, this series by Shonda Rhimes offered us a glimpse into London’s high society during the Regency era, in the early 20th century, adapting the popular novels of the same name by Julia Quinn. Focusing on two families in particular, the Bridgertons and the Featheringtons, the story centers on what would be gossip for the rest of society. What each member of the families does or does not do in certain circumstances leads to scandals or intriguing little slips.

The great strength of the series is that, although it always focuses on both families, the focus is always on one of the Bridgerton brothers in particular and on his romantic partner. All the others are secondary, but in a way that we know that, in later seasons, they will eventually become the protagonists of their own story.

With eight siblings among the Bridgertons, four boys and four girls, that means there are many subplots, but it can also take time for our favorite character to become the protagonist. But for now, in the first season we had Daphne Bridgerton and her romance with Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, in the second season we had Anthony and his romance with Kathani, and in the third season it was Colin’s turn and his romance with Penelope Featherington, in the most talked-about crossover between both families.

For the fourth season, although it would be logical for one of the girls to take the lead, it will once again be one of the boys. Benedict Bridgerton, the second male child of the family, will be the protagonist of the season. Bohemian and little interested in romance or starting a family, he will fall in love with a mysterious masked woman at one of the balls attended by the family. From then on, the entire season will focus on discovering the identity of that woman and, if possible, marrying her, while he grapples with the two impulses that reside within him: the love for that mysterious woman and the bohemian life he has led until now.

With the return of all the actors from previous seasons, except for Regé Jean Page who has not appeared since the first, and very likely the disappearance of the character Daphne Bridgerton, there will be a notable addition to the cast. And don’t continue reading this paragraph if you want to avoid spoilers. Because the cast will be joined by Yerin Hace playing Sophie Beckett, Simon’s romantic interest, who will keep him on his toes throughout the season.

Although it is scheduled to premiere on January 29, as is usual on Netflix, it will be released in two parts. To see the second part of the series and witness the conclusion of these two lovers, we will have to wait until February 26. But don’t despair, because even though we have to wait, the series has already been renewed for a fifth season.