Yerin Ha confirmed to play female lead opposite Luke Thompson in Bridgerton season 4; character name changed to Sophie Baek

Bridgerton season 4 is expected to premiere on Netflix in 2026.

The upcoming season of Bridgertonnis set to captivate audiences with its newest addition: Yerin Ha, known for her roles in Halo and the forthcoming Dune: Prophecy. Ha will portray Sophie Baek, a maid whose life takes a dramatic turn when she disguises herself to attend a grand masquerade ball and encounters Benedict Bridgerton, portrayed by Luke Thompson.

Yerin Ha confirmed to play female lead opposite Luke Thompson in Bridgerton season 4; character name changed to Sophie Baek

Sophie Baek, a character whose journey is marked by resilience and mystery, is a departure from the usual cast of debutantes in the Bridgerton universe. Her life as a maid, enduring demanding work under a harsh employer, will evolve significantly as she attends Violet Bridgerton's masquerade ball. Disguised and hidden behind a mask, Sophie meets Benedict Bridgerton, whose artistic nature is immediately drawn to her.

Yerin Ha is enthusiastic about the challenges her role presents. “What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles — something that she constantly has to overcome,” Ha shared to Tudum in an interview. “Whether it’s this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict.”

The upcoming season, which focuses on Benedict Bridgerton’s journey to finding love, promises a blend of romance and drama. Benedict, the second son in the Bridgerton family, has thus far avoided the marital commitments embraced by his siblings. The entrance of Sophie, known only initially as the Lady in Silver, is set to challenge his reluctance toward settling down.

Ha’s portrayal of Sophie is imbued with depth, thanks to the intriguing blend of her character's external facade and internal struggles. The concept of masks—both literal and metaphorical—is central to Sophie’s story. “There’s this theme with masks that was running throughout all of my audition scenes,” Ha explained. “When does Sophie put on this mask to cover her emotions? Or vice versa, when does she take it off and when does she soften up? Playing with those [questions] is just really fun.”

The masquerade ball itself, a setting ripe with potential for both intrigue and romance, will see Ha and Thompson engaging in dance—a key element in their evolving relationship. “The dancing is like an extension of their emotions, and a way for them to connect,” Ha noted.

Ha also expressed her appreciation for how her cultural background has been acknowledged in her role. While Sophie’s original surname in Julia Quinn’s series is Beckett, Ha’s character has been given the Korean surname Baek. “A name is the first bit of identity that you share with the world, and that’s why changing a name can be so powerful,” Ha commented. “To make Sophie’s name fit someone who looks like me is really empowering. All credit to Jess Brownell, our showrunner.”

This decision to adapt Sophie’s name is a nod to Ha’s heritage, making her role not only a personal milestone but also a meaningful representation of cultural inclusivity. “It’s a really nice way for me to feel like the role is fit for me, rather than me having to fit a certain mould,” she added.

Despite initial nerves about joining a successful show in its fourth season, Ha has found support from her colleagues. “I was stressing over nothing because everybody has truly welcomed me with open arms,” she said. Her co-stars, including Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, and Hannah Dodd, reached out to make her feel part of the Bridgerton family, which Ha described as a heartfelt gesture of camaraderie.

Bridgerton season 4 is expected to premiere on Netflix in 2026.