Which ‘Bridgerton’ Character Will Be the Star of Season 4? This is what fans predict.

With someone else Bridgerton love story officially in the books, speculation about the possible lead for season 4 is already heating up – and causing a stir among fans.

The final four episodes of the Regency drama’s third season were released on Netflix on June 13, capturing the central romance between childhood friends turned lovers Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). Since Bridgerton is an adaptation of author Julia Quinn’s best-selling novels, each of which revolves around a different sibling of the Bridgerton family, which meant a new character would enter the picture in the upcoming season.

Possible clues have been scattered throughout season 3 as to who could step into the romantic spotlight, following in the footsteps of Daphne and Simon in season 1, Anthony and Kate in season 2, and most recently Penelope and Colin. Based on how their stories end, the most likely possibilities are Benedict (Luke Thompson), Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Eloise (Claudia Jessie) – a fact confirmed by showrunner Jess Brownell – or some combination thereof.

While the show’s writers are currently working on season 4, Bridgerton fans won’t have to wait long to find out if their theories are correct.

“We’ll make an announcement about next season sooner rather than later,” Brownell told Reuters, teasing that it would be “extremely juicy.”

Benedict

Could season 4 be the year of Benedict? After being skipped in Season 3 in favor of Penelope and Colin’s romance, all signs point to the second-eldest Bridgerton son finally coming to the fore. Benedict’s story is central An offer from a gentlemanQuinn’s third novel Bridgerton series that introduces its main love interest, Sophie Beckett, a character yet to be introduced in the series.

If Benedict eventually becomes the new one Bridgerton lead, there’s no shortage of storylines to explore. He’s had his share of opportunities to find love, but never seriously considered his options — until last season, when he spent much of it galvanizing with the widowed Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New), and experiences his first kiss with a man, Tilley’s friend. Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio). Despite Tilley’s stated desire to pursue a monogamous relationship with Benedict, he rejects her by the end of the season, implying that he has not met “the one” yet.

The final episode of the season teases his mother’s upcoming masquerade ball, the setting in which Sophie first meets Benedict in the book. In another scene, Benedict has a heart-to-heart with Eloise on the swings, in which he cryptically says that “the next thing I learn might change me completely,” a subtle nod to a similar observation Sophie made in the creates a novel.

It’s these Easter eggs and more that have fans convinced Benedict will be the main focus of season 4, with some taking their explanations and theories to social media.

Luke Thompson, who plays Benedict, remained mum when indirectly asked if his character would play the new lead role.

“They’ve changed the books before,” he told Vanity Fair.

Francesca

Relegated to the background for the first two seasons, Francesca came to the fore in season 3 after actress Hannah Dodd replaced original cast member Ruby Stokes due to a scheduling conflict.

Despite Francesca’s novel, When he was bad, sixth in line, Bridgerton planted early seeds for her story with the introduction of John Stirling (Victor Alli), whom she marries in the second half of Part 2. (He is her first husband in the novels, although a much minor character.) Some felt that This could be a sign that Francesca’s season could come sooner rather than later.

As she basks in the glow of newlyweds and prepares to leave for Scotland, Francesca is introduced to John’s cousin, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), a gender-swapped version of the book character, in the final episode of the season. (In When He was bad(John’s cousin is actually Michael, who plays a prominent role in Francesca’s love story after tragedy.) Francesca is clearly charmed by Michaela during their first meeting, which confuses her and leaves many unanswered questions for fans – and readers of the books – about the biggest twist in season 3 of the series.

That didn’t stop some fans from believing that the character’s exploration of her queerness would be central to season 4.

“Francesca’s story, for those familiar with her book, covers a longer period of time – and so we absolutely had to move on,” Bronwell told Variety. “As for the gender-flipping Michaela, I want to say a lot about it, but I’m cautious about talking about it in detail right now because I want people to see how it’s going to turn out. …I’m just trying to protect what story we want to tell for season 4 and beyond.

Eloise

After a largely estranged season in the wake of Lady Whistledown’s betrayal, Eloise finally reunited with Penelope, reconciled with Colin, and cut ties with her beautiful friend Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen). Eloise only becomes the main character of her own story in book five. To Sir Phillip, with lovebut her decision at the end of season 3 to accompany Francesca and John to Scotland seems to set her up for the near future.

Although Eloise leaves the safety of the house in Bridgerton to expand her worldview, she hints that she will be back in time for the masquerade ball – a big hint that when she Back, Eloise might be a different person.

A Bridgerton fan also mentioned the swing scenes between Eloise and Benedict that have bridged every season of the show so far.

Of the three Season 4 options, Eloise may be the hardest sell as the next lead – and Brownell hinted that Bridgerton’s middle sibling still has a lot of ground to cover before she’s ready to think about marriage and commit settle down.

“I don’t think Eloise is that interested in romance at this stage of her life,” she told Variety. “I’m hesitant to send her into the romance zone without really understanding why she ends up there. So we will take some time to tell that story the right way.”

All episodes of Bridgerton Season 3 is streaming on Netflix.