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New season tackles historical sexual double standards
Netflix's Bridgerton returns for its fourth series, delving into the stark inequalities of Regency-era intimacy as newlyweds Francesca Bridgerton and John Stirling navigate a troubling knowledge gap between husbands and wives.
Francesca's struggle highlights gender disparities
Set in London's high society, the drama reveals how unmarried aristocratic women were deliberately kept uninformed about sex, while their male peers were encouraged to gain experience abroad. This disparity creates tension for Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and her husband, the Earl of Kilmartin (Victor Alli), whose physical connection suffers from the lack of shared understanding.
"Francesca doesn't even know what's supposed to happen," Dodd tells BBC News. "It's unfair-men were allowed experience, but women weren't. Without conversations, how were they meant to learn?"
Female friendships as a lifeline
Francesca turns to her mother, Lady Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), and sister-in-law Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) for guidance, a rare moment of solidarity in a world that policed women's autonomy. The couple also attempts to bridge the gap through awkward but honest dialogue, a challenge compounded by their introverted natures.
"They met just a year ago, so there's a lot of learning. It's about pushing past comfort zones to have those conversations."
Hannah Dodd
Neurodivergence and representation
While author Julia Quinn didn't write Francesca as neurodivergent, the character's need for quiet spaces and discomfort with societal norms has resonated with autistic viewers. Dodd notes the writers discussed this interpretation, though it wasn't a deliberate choice for the actors.
"If we've included another group of people, that's amazing," she says. "It's important everyone sees themselves represented."
Servants' quarters take center stage
The season shifts focus to Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), whose Cinderella-style romance with Sophie (Yerin Ha) introduces audiences to the stark realities of life below stairs. "We've never seen the downstairs world before," Ha explains. "It shows the real problems servants faced."
Veteran cast dynamics
Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte) and Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury) explore a rare rift when the Queen demands Danbury cancel her holiday, fearing she can't function without her. Andoh describes the conflict as a wake-up call for both characters, forcing them to renegotiate their friendship.
"The Queen says, 'You're my subject.' Danbury replies, 'Oh, I'm just your subject?' It frightens them both."
Adjoa Andoh
Danbury's solution-hiring a lady-in-waiting-sparks reflection on women's self-sacrifice. "We're not always available," Andoh adds. "Women should ask, 'What do I want?'"
Release details
Part one of Bridgerton season four premieres on Netflix on Thursday, January 29, with part two following on February 26.
