Despite some backlash to Benedict’s controversial offer, his and Sophie’s chemistry remained front and center during season 4 of Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton.
Based on Julia Quinn‘s third novel An Offer From a Gentleman, season 4 focused on Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) love story with Sophie (Yerin Ha) when his world gets turned upside down after crossing paths with a mysterious woman in a Cinderella-inspired meet cute.
Book fans knew that the season would be building up to an offer from Benedict to Sophie, which showrunner Jess Brownell defended after fan backlash.
“In the time period, it was not unreasonable for Benedict to think that this was the right ask,” Brownell told TVLine in February 2026 about Benedict asking for Sophie to be his mistress while admitting it was “a huge mistake for Benedict to make.”
Brownell acknowledged that viewers rooting for the fictional romance may not be thrilled, adding, “He should be seeing Sophie as more than her class. For him to make that ask in that moment, outrage is absolutely the right reaction.”
Brownell went on to explain why the character reverts back to traditional values when it comes to finding a wife.
“A lot of his progressiveness, not with his sexuality, but in other ways, has been performative,” she noted. “He is incredibly privileged and hasn’t really reckoned with that privilege. He has enjoyed life to the fullest, but has never done anything really scary.”
Keep scrolling for the steamiest moments between Benedict and Sophie so far:
1st Meeting at the Ball
While their chance encounter only lasted a short time, Benedict and Sophie’s chemistry was off the charts. The fact that they were both in masks — thus not knowing each other’s identities — didn’t stop the fictional couple from sharing a kiss and developing a romance that is driving the entire season.
Their Time at My Cottage
Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson in Bridgerton season 4 LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX
Benedict’s (brief) illness didn’t prevent him and Sophie from growing closer at My Cottage. From Sophie tending to him to bonding over books, Benedict and Sophie’s getaway solidified their connection before they returned to London.
The Lake Scene
Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha in Bridgerton season 4. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2025
The famous Lake Scene technically falls under their time at My Cottage but Benedict stripping down — and Sophie watching him — before they share a kiss feels like it deserves its own shout-out.
The Build-Up to the Offer
After trying hard to stay away from each other, Benedict and Sophie hooked up on the staircase in his home (to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Bad Idea Right”) before he made her a surprising offer. Benedict spoke about how Sophie deserved better right before he asked her to be his mistress.
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