Benedict Bridgerton labelled an ‘icon’ by fans after gay escapade

Bridgerton fans are calling Benedict Bridgerton an “icon” after his latest queer adventure in the first episode of the latest season.

Spoiler warning for Bridgerton season four, episode one.

The fourth season of the Regency-era series debuted on Thursday (29 January) and sees the second eldest Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) take the reins as the lead as he searches for the mysterious Lady in Silver/Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).

The first episode sees Benedict and Sophie meet at the masquerade ball hosted by Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell). Though what Benedict doesn’t realise is that the masked Sophie is actually the maid of Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung). 

However, Benedict arrives late to the ball because he fancies a “dose of merriment” at a bohemian club where things are much more liberated than the rest of the ton.

As well as giving a small but warm nod to another handsome man, possibly an indication of another past dalliance, Benedict reconnects with Louis (Sachin K. Sharma) who greets the Bridgerton by placing his hand on his hip.

“I cannot tonight,” Benedict says as Louis caresses his side and arm. After Louis disparages whatever “shocking society event” Benedict must have to go to based on his outfit, Benedict repeats that he can’t stay for long. “Well, I don’t need you for a long time,” replies Louis. “And much merriment can be had in a rather short time,” he adds flirtatiously before the two then kiss and the scene cuts away.

“My icon Benedict Bridgerton being late to his family’s ball because he was having gay sex,” celebrated one fan on X/Twitter. “IS THE SEASON 4 PLOT TWIST THAT HE MARRIES A MAN?” wondered another viewer.

The scene is a small but appreciated acknowledgement from the show’s creators of Benedict’s queerness, especially as it seems the majority of the series will focus on the Cinderella-esque story with Sophie. Of course, even if that is the case, Benedict’s still a queer character and series lead.

Even so, some fans had hoped Benedict’s season would focus on a more explicitly queer relationship, a hope voiced by one fan who said on social media: “I kinda thought Benedict Bridgerton would be gay and give us the first ever GAY Bridgerton love story.”

Other fans of the series have voiced their interest in the series – not in Benedict’s story, but that of Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd).

Showrunner Jess Brownell has previously said that Francesca will begin a gay relationship in season four. At the end of season three, Francesca met her husband John Stirling’s (Victor Alli) cousin, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza).

Benedict’s much celebrated queerness was first hinted at in season one but was most notably explored in season three when Benedict engaged in a threesome with Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) and her lover, Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio).

Thompson expressed his joy that Benedict’s sexuality is allowed to exist without question while speaking to Out recently.

Thompson said: “He lets it be this sort of mysterious force that’s just sort of like moving him through the world. I think that’s really lovely because I think that’s not often portrayed.” He added: “He has angst, and he has problems with categorising, as we find out in the season later on. But sexuality or sex, more specifically, is not one of them, and I think that’s quite a positive, different thing to see.” 

Bridgerton season four, volume one is streaming now on Netflix.

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