Netflix fans 'ready to call in sick' after trailer for top period drama drops

Fans are bracing themselves for a brand new love story - the much-anticipated season 4 drop of Bridgerton is just around the corner. This time, "the storyline is a bit of a twist on Cinderella".

The trailer features two masked actors climbing a grand staircase in opposite directions, as Lady Whistledown, voiced by Julie Andrews, teases, "With each passing season, one is known to experience plenty of ups and downs."

The masked lady, decked out in a lacy white ball gown, and the dapper-looking gentleman pass for a brief moment, gently brushing their hands. Continuing onwards, they pause for a brief moment, staring at each other from a distance.

"So then, we must ask ourselves, do we rise to the occasion?", the voice of Lady Whistledown concludes, "as always, time and this author, will tell."

After watching the trailer, one commented It's good to have the dates far ahead already so I can mark my calendar for when I'm going to be calling in sick for work!'.

Luckily, fans don't have to wait too long before the big drop. The new series, which will be released in two parts, will debut its first four episodes on January 29, 2026.

Netflix hints that Season 4 sees Benedict, who is "loath to settle down," finally take the lead following the successful love matches of his siblings Anthony, Colin, Daphne, and Francesca.

The "enthralling woman" who is said to capture his attention at Violet Bridgerton's masquerade ball is only known as the Lady in the Silver. But she's actually "Sophie, a resourceful maid with her own secrets and dreams".

Yerin Ha, the actress who plays her, says, "What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles - something that she constantly has to overcome," says Ha. "Whether it's this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict."

As well as some new faces, season 4 also welcomes back familiar family members. Of course, there's a return of regulars Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), and Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton.

The Bridgerton books, a series of eight Regency romance novels, authored by Julia Quinn were released annually between 2000 and 2006, starting with The Duke and I, followed by The Viscount Who Loved Me and ending with On the Way to the Wedding.

Seen as warm, wise, supportive, but stern when needed, matriarch Violet Bridgerton went on to marry Edmund Bridgerton, who tragically died following a bee sting. Together, they had "eight wildly distinct and charming children".

Following each of the eight Bridgerton siblings, the TV series has focused on a new pair each season, starting with season 1's love story of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dyvenor) and Simon Bassett (Rege-Jean Page).

In the following seasons, we see love stories unfold between Anthony and Kate Sharma as well as Colin Bridgerton and Penelope.

Echoing all the anticipation and excitement for the newest love story, another who watched this week's trailer commented, "I implore you, dear Netflix, make haste! The ton grows most impatient!"

However, not all seem too pleased about the two halves. To much agreement, another comment reads, "Dearest gentle reader, it has come to this author's attention that the ton grows weary of the season being broken up in two parts."

Yet another who is clearly well-versed in the Bridgerton universe, points out, '' the break will give us the two year separation needed if we are following the book's story version''

The good news is that fans only have to wait until the end of February for the second batch of episodes to drop.