The highly anticipated fourth season of Netflix's Regency-era drama Bridgerton has premiered, but the reception from television critics has been decidedly mixed. While the show continues to deliver its signature blend of romance and lavish production, many reviewers have expressed disappointment, characterising the new episodes as formulaic and lacking the spark of previous seasons.
A Season Accused of Playing It Too Safe
This season shifts focus to Benedict Bridgerton, portrayed by Luke Thompson, and his romance with Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha. Although some critics acknowledged the actors' on-screen chemistry, a prevailing sentiment suggests the narrative feels overly familiar and risk-averse.
Nick Hilton of The Independent offered a particularly scathing assessment, writing that the show has distilled period drama conventions into something "even more conventional." He controversially suggested the season feels "like an AI slop Regency romance," criticising its reliance on recycled plotlines and an overly perfect aesthetic.
Critics Voice Their Disappointments
The critique of safety and predictability was echoed across several major publications. Judy Berman of TIME noted that despite Benedict's character offering an opportunity to "switch things up," the result is "an extremely familiar story that... plays it disappointingly safe." She conceded the season remains bingeable, packed with endearing performances, but lacks innovation.
Aramide Tinabu of Variety described the central romance as "lackluster," arguing it misses the "tantalizing heat and erotic chemistry" of earlier Bridgerton couples. Similarly, Anita Singh of The Telegraph delivered a blistering review, calling the scripts "godawful" and criticising some performances, including Adjoa Andoh's Lady Danbury, for being overly simplistic.
Praise Amidst the Criticism
Not all feedback was negative. Some outlets found elements to commend. Hello! magazine praised Yerin Ha as a "brilliant heroine" and highlighted the "palpable" chemistry between the leads. Digital Spy noted that while the romantic outcome is never in doubt, investment comes from "the way Ha and Thompson commit to their hopelessness."
Sarah Dempster of The Guardian took a different tack, celebrating the show's unique, self-contained absurdity. She declared the series "quite, quite bananas" in its fourth season, admiring its unwavering commitment to its own peculiar world.
The Cinderella Conundrum
A notable narrative choice this season is its overt homage to the Cinderella fairy tale. Liz Hersey of ScreenRant observed that this pairing feels natural for Bridgerton's aesthetic but creates a clash with Benedict's character, a fan-favourite precisely because he "defies societal and genre norms." This tension between a conventional fairy-tale structure and a non-conventional lead has left some critics feeling the season lacks a coherent identity.
With the first four episodes now streaming, the discourse around Bridgerton season four highlights a franchise at a crossroads. It continues to be a visual and romantic spectacle for its dedicated fanbase, but a growing chorus of critics suggests it may need to rediscover its daring edge to maintain its cultural supremacy in the competitive streaming landscape.
