Why Bridgerton won't return until 2026 with season 4

Dear gentlest readers, Bridgerton on Netflix closed the cover of season 3 on June 13th, thus concluding the romance of Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). It was the series' pinnacle, as the couple had their fiery lows and passionate highs. At the finale's end, Colin and Penelope were greeted with a blessing that they would someday inherit the Bridgerton legacy.

Of course, Penelope revealed her secret publicly, as her love for Colin was far more important than a few sheer written words. However, if Penelope truly wanted to keep her Lady Whistledown identity, she and Colin could've kept it between them as an added couple perk, giving Polin an air of mystery. Additionally, it would've kept the Ton speculating who Lady Whistledown is and enjoying the Society Papers, even if it's just juicy gossip regarding London's most established citizens. The good news is that Penelope will continue printing but with far more confidence and under her own name.

Now that Polin's story is completed, a new one will begin. But it'll be a while before we can indulge in Bridgerton's next societal pairing, as season 4 won't make its official debut until 2026. That's in two years for those keeping track, but it feels like a lifetime for us fans.

The reason why season 4 of Bridgerton will have a two-year break

If you analyze the hiatuses between seasons, they're two years apart, so it makes sense that the break between seasons 3 and 4 would be a match. It's a work in progress to lift the script onto the screen, and bringing the stories to life with dazzling costumes, the soundtrack, set designs, and well-rounded characters is a remarkable achievement. It's well worth the time to witness the final display.

Bridgerton's showrunner, Jess Brownell, opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about how a season is crafted and must undergo rigorous steps before its premiere.

"We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language. And the writing takes a very long time as well, so we’re kind of on a two-year pace, we’re trying to speed up, but somewhere in that range."

Season 4's couple might be Colin's sister, Francesca (Hannah Dodd), who sets her eyes on her husband's (Victor Alli) cousin, Michaela (Masali Beduza), at the end of season 3. It could also be about another Bridgerton sibling, as eight are in the regal family. Whoever is chosen to be the season's match will be the event of the year.

Bridgerton seasons 1-3 are currently streaming on Netflix.