Bridgerton has an obvious Benedict problem before season 4

After the end of Bridgerton’s third season, we are eagerly waiting to see who will become the new main character in season 4. Showrunner Jess Brownell has already narrowed it down to Benedict, Eloise or Francesca to Glamour. A hidden Bridgerton reference to a masked ball makes Benedict the clear frontrunner at the moment. But if the second oldest brother takes the lead next, the Netflix series will have to work hard to make him a worthy protagonist. In the past, a lot has gone wrong in making him palatable to us.

Benedict Bridgerton is currently not interesting enough for season 4

Since Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) was skipped in the order of the 8-part novel series in favor of Penelope and Colin, it would only be fair to catch up on his story from Julia Quinn’s third book in season 4. But while after Daphne’s love story in season 1, the anticipation for Anthony in season 2 and then for Colin/Penelope in season 3 was great, the Prospect of Benedict as main character little enthusiasm. Why is that?

Benedict Bridgerton is actually charming and likeable: He has a sense of humor, is open to new things and loves his family. Nevertheless, he has remained a Marginal figure without real directionThe fact that he visits gentleman’s clubs and watches his brothers fence does not make him an interesting character.

Especially in the carousel of his love affairs, it is striking how little insight into his psyche the series has given so far: Season 1 introduced him to alternative circles of society alongside the gay Henry Granville, but then he quickly ended up in bed with fashion designer Genevieve Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale, Season 1), painting model Tessa (Emily Barber, Season 2) and widow Tilley Arnold (Hannah New, Season 3). He changes his hobbies and future plans as often as he changes his underwear. The dream of art school, for example, is already a thing of the past in Season 3. But what is left to give Benedict unique selling points and a real character?

Benedict is the seeker in Bridgerton, but his search needs direction

Benedict is most tangible in the recurring scenes on the swing in the garden: As a reference person for his sister Eloise (Claudia Jessie), he is devoted to her when the two outsiders with no marriage ambitions exchange private information and offer each other support. Most recently, actor Luke Thompson pushed Benedict’s romantic fickleness to Deadline but also on this (too) good relationship with his sister: Eloise gave Benedict enough “emotional intimacy” so he didn’t have to look for it with someone else.

With Eloise leaving for Scotland alongside Francesca (Hannah Dodd) at the end of season 3, Benedict could lose this sisterly support. But this throws him out of his passive perspective out? He is not shy. He is more of an inconspicuous midfielder who stands out as neither extremely extroverted nor particularly introverted. But a hero must actively pursue his own path in life. Unfortunately, so far we have not been able to see behind Benedict’s facade or see him lose his composure at least once.

Benedict Bridgerton is apparently being sold to us in the Netflix series as someone who is still searching. But without knowing what he is looking forit is difficult to empathize with his fate. The menage à trois at the end of season 3 could finally give direction to his restlessness, but the Netflix series must be careful not to use his sexuality as a means to an end.

Benedict’s bisexuality is an exciting step for Season 4, but beware

Season 3 ends with a threesome for Benedict, in which he not only gets into bed with Lady Tilley, but also with Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio). After three seasons of uncertainty, Bridgerton finally clarifies the question of Benedict’s sexuality: He is bisexual or pansexualso his love affairs were not related to gender, but to persons. “We will continue to explore its fluidity”promised showrunner Brownell in an interview with The Wrap .

Exploring Benedict’s sexual orientation is an important step in adding an exciting facet to his personality. At the same time, however, the Netflix series must be careful not to convey a false image: To give the impression that the Bridgerton offspring was so fickle and erratic in the past, because It would be extremely worrying if he were to say he is bi. After all, there are already enough prejudices against bisexual people who “can’t decide”.

If Bridgerton sticks to the Cinderella story of Benedict’s book in season 4 with the already hinted masked ball, the question also arises as to how the series will deal with its potential love interest Sophie Will Sophie be offended by Benedict’s sexual freedom? Will we get a gender switch like with Michaela Stirling? Or can we even expect a transgender character?

There are too many possibilities and too few signposts to be able to speculate about Benedict’s future with pleasure – or even to want to. Anticipation looks different. The series has neglected Benedict for so long that he has become unattractive for season 4. It is actually high time to finally delve deeper into his character before he slips away from us completely. But to do this, Bridgerton Benedict will have to set off on a serious journey to his inner life finally also becomes our heart’s desire close.

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