Okay, so I just finished the first part of Bridgerton season 4 and I have to say, they really switched things up with the big ball! It wasn’t quite what I expected based on the books, but it was a pretty significant change to that iconic scene.
As a big fan of Bridgerton, I was really interested to hear showrunner Jess Brownell talk about a change they made in season 4. Remember the Cavender’s party? It’s a key scene, and they decided to tweak how things played out. Instead of Benedict immediately stepping in to help Sophie when Philip Cavender was bothering her, they actually showed Sophie helping another maid, Hazel, first. It was a cool way to show her strength and agency before Benedict came to the rescue, and Brownell explained that was the intention behind the change.
In an interview with Deadline, showrunner Brownell discussed why they altered a plot point from the original books. He explained that Hazel’s role in the season 4 storyline was to portray Sophie as courageous. By intervening when Cavender harassed a fellow maid – before Benedict could – the scene highlighted Sophie’s strength and independence.
Throughout this season, it was crucial for Sophie to have close friends. This allowed us to understand what she was thinking and feeling. Given everything she goes through, we wanted her to experience genuine friendship. When Hazel was introduced, we loved the idea of Sophie being more than just someone who needed rescuing. While she does face hardship, especially after meeting Hazel, Sophie ultimately becomes Hazel’s hero, allowing her to be proactive and strong instead of simply being a victim.
Similar to the dynamic in Julia Quinn’s An Offer from a Gentleman (part of the Bridgerton series), Benedict steps up to help when Cavender threatens Sophie. However, a new scene where Sophie defends Hazel by dousing Cavender with water really highlights her strength and shows that she and Benedict are equals, setting the stage for a balanced romance.
The characters in the Bridgerton series have evolved a bit compared to how they’re portrayed in Julia Quinn’s books. But even with these changes, their essential personalities usually stay true to form, and are often even strengthened by the new storylines. For Sophie, who is already known for her strong independence in the books, her interaction with Cavender really highlighted that core part of her character.
The latest developments in their relationship add weight to a pivotal moment in the story. The first part of Bridgerton season 4 concludes with Benedict trying to begin an affair with Sophie, but she rejects him, fearing a repeat of the harm it caused her mother. Her desire for independence is a key part of her journey, both in the show and the original books.
This highlights how important Sophie’s rescue of Hazel truly was. By bravely helping a fellow maid in need, Sophie showed remarkable courage and refused to give up. Although Benedict ultimately saved Hazel, Sophie proved she was capable of saving others – and herself.
Sophie’s character gained significant depth with the introduction of Hazel, hinting at key developments for season 4, part 2 of Bridgerton. By choosing not to pursue a relationship with Benedict as a mistress, Sophie demonstrates her independence, setting the stage for a compelling character journey as the series progresses.
Bridgerton season 4 part 2 arrives Thursday, February 26 on Netflix.
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2026-01-30 19:39