It’s time to step back into the world of ball gowns and romance as Bridgerton returns for what may be the most dramatic twist yet.
Fans finally get the epic conclusion to Sophie and Benedict’s Cinderella story, with season four part two featuring a classical version of Charli XCX’s 360.
While all eyes might be on ‘Benophie’, book fans know younger sister Francesca Bridgerton’s world is about to be turned upside down.
Metro chatted to stars Hannah Dodd, Victor Alli and Masali Baduza about the enigma that is Michaela Stirling.
‘Michaela has been so much fun to play so far,’ Masali, 28, said. ‘I just love that she’s wild, independent, and just lives by her own rules.’
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The Noughts + Crosses star’s entrance into the ton caused quite a stir as fans realised her character had been gender swapped.
Book Michael is a certified Rake, a womaniser who Francesca (Hannah) and John (Victor) both adore to hear debauched stories from in When He Was Wicked.
Those experiences greatly contrast with the ‘pinnacle’ that our previous diamond of the season is struggling to find in season four.
Hannah laughed that she’s heard the word pinnacle so many times since that scene aired, joking they didn’t think it would take on a life of its own.
‘We felt it was important and really great that, particularly for a romance show, you show your reality and highlight how important it is for women to advocate for themselves and make sure that their needs are met as well,’ she shared.
Victor added: ‘It’s okay to experience love differently, and in our case, it’s a lot more sort of tempered and slower, not as flamboyant, big and intense, but that’s okay, and it’s still love, but just a different version’.
While Francesca and John ‘deeply love each other’, even if the bedroom isn’t quite working out, those intense fireworks are in full flow when it comes to Michaela.
When asked how she felt about playing a stereotype usually reserved for male characters, Masali declared she ‘loves it’, adding: ‘I think it’s time we see a female rake!’
However, this gender swap has wider implications on the story as it means we’re heading towards the show’s first LGBTQ+ central relationship.
‘They just are who they are,’ Masali shared. ‘I don’t think I’m necessarily playing a queer quality, I think she is just who she is.’
Bridgerton has included queer characters throughout the series and it’s spin off, A Queen Charlotte Story.
Bridgerton season 4 part 2 review
Bridgerton just made me cry for the first time.
I’ve been a big fan of the fantastical period drama ever since it began, and the emotionally-charged moments always have me in a chokehold.
From Daphne and Simon confessing their love to one another in the rain, to George telling Charlotte that he can’t breathe when she’s not near, this Netflix series has the ability to make me gasp and swoon in equal measure.
But season 4 part 2 delivers an earth-shattering gut punch that makes the show feel more grounded than ever before.
To read the full review from Metro’s TV editor, Sabrina Barr, click here.
Benedict, played by Luke Thompson, is seen indulging in a romance with Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) before bringing another man into their relationship.
Luke previously told Bustle that he sees the second Bridgerton brother as pansexual ‘by our modern terms’ as he is ‘attracted to the way that someone thinks and feels, regardless of gender.’
‘That’s a word that could be used,’ he shared. ‘But what’s refreshing about it, certainly in the way that it’s being discovered at the moment, is that there is a sense of label-lessness about it.’
When asked if this confirmation has taken the pressure off future queer romances, Hannah told us: ‘It’s something that’s really important to the showrunners as well, that there is a queer love story at the centre, and it’s a full story.
‘So I think you feel a little bit of pressure, but it’s really nice that within the universe, like in [real] life, it’s not like a couple of people. It’s really nice that there is that representation.’
Masali agreed: ‘It wasn’t accepted [at the time]. It’s still hard to be accepted today, but I just feel like we’re living in this fantasy world of Bridgerton, and everyone deserves a happily ever after.
‘I’m excited to see where that goes.’
Bridgerton’s season four, part two is out now on Netflix with four episodes for viewers to devour.
In the trailer, we saw Francesca ‘look like she’s seen a ghost’ when Michaela turns up on her doorstep.
Meanwhile, Johnathan Bailey and Simone Ashley are set to (finally) return as the Lord and Lady Bridgerton with their son, Edmund.
We’ve also had confirmation that the songs for this half will include 360 by Charli XCX, Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather and Teddy Swims’ Lose Control.
Oh, and Netflix confirmed that Benedict and Sophie bathtub scene is on the way, so it’s set to be a steamy one.
Bridgerton’s latest season is available to watch now on Netflix.
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