Scots actress Katie Leung is set to take on a deliciously wicked role in the highly anticipated fourth season of Netflix's Bridgerton, which spins a fresh take on the classic Cinderella fairytale. Leung plays the formidable Lady Araminta Gun, a fierce matriarch determined to secure her family's social standing by marrying off her daughters.
From Panto to Period Drama: Leung's Theatrical Roots
The casting carries a neat symmetry with Leung's own early exposure to theatre. She has previously recalled how annual Christmas pantomime visits during her primary school years in Scotland were her first introduction to the arts. "I remember going to panto when I was in primary school, every Christmas. That was probably the extent of my exposure to theatre and the arts," she said. The new season's clear parallels with Cinderella – a panto staple – make her role as a stepmother-like figure particularly fitting.
A Cinderella Plot for the Ton
The new trailer for Bridgerton season four, part one, which premieres on Thursday, January 29 on Netflix, reveals the central storyline. Despite Lady Araminta's scheming for her daughters Rosamund and Posy Li, it is her maid, Sophie Baek (played by Yerin Ha), who captivates society. Sneaking out in a borrowed ballgown, Sophie attends a masquerade where she charms Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), the season's most eligible bachelor.
The couple are separated when Sophie flees at midnight, leaving behind a single glove. Benedict, with reluctant help from his sister, then embarks on a quest to find his mysterious "lady in silver." This development is sure to enrage Lady Araminta, whose own daughter Rosamund had designs on Benedict. Leung hinted at her character's ruthless nature on social media, posting an image with the caption: 'This mama ain’t messing about.'
Addressing the Casting Questions
Some fans questioned the casting when it was revealed that the 38-year-old Leung would play mother to actors Michelle Mao (27) and Isabella Wei (21). Leung defended the decision, explaining it aligns with historical reality. "In the Regency Era, [women] would have been married off in their teens so it’s perfectly plausible that I would have teens," she stated, referring to her characters' daughters being of debutante age.
Luke Thompson, who plays Benedict, teased the season's romantic and magical appeal: "The storyline is a bit of a twist on Cinderella... It’s really exciting to have that weaved into the world that we know of Bridgerton." While fans speculate Sophie may be revealed as Lady Araminta's stepdaughter, the Cinderella echoes are unmistakable.
Dundee-born Leung rose to fame as Cho Chang in the Harry Potter film series and recently starred in the BBC drama Annika. Her latest role as the ambitious Lady Araminta Gun promises to be a standout performance in Bridgerton's most fairy-tale-inspired season yet.
