Bridgerton season 4 release date set for a two-part drop, with a 3 a.m. ET launch time

Bridgerton season 4 arrives in two waves this winter, giving viewers a clear answer to the two biggest questions: the release date and what time does Bridgerton come out. Part 1 premieres Thursday, January 29, 2026, and Part 2 follows Thursday, February 26, 2026. Both drops are scheduled for 3:00 a.m. ET, continuing the show’s overnight-release pattern for new episodes.

The season turns its spotlight to Benedict Bridgerton and a new romantic lead, setting up a classic masquerade-meets-class-conflict story that aims to keep the series’ glossy escapism while sharpening its emotional stakes.

Release schedule and what time Bridgerton comes out

The rollout is split into two parts with four episodes each, rather than a single full-season drop. That means fans can watch the first half immediately, then return a month later for the conclusion.

Here is the timing in Eastern Time:

• Part 1 (Episodes 1–4): Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 3:00 a.m. ET

• Part 2 (Episodes 5–8): Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 3:00 a.m. ET

If you’re asking “what time does Bridgerton come out,” the practical takeaway is that it lands in the early morning hours on release day, not at prime time.

Further specifics were not immediately available about whether any regions will receive staggered drops beyond the standard simultaneous global release.

Benedict and Sophie take center stage in a masquerade-driven romance

Season 4 pivots to Benedict’s love story, with the season’s early engine built around a masquerade ball and a mysterious woman he meets there. The romance introduces Sophie Baek, a character who moves through the story with more than one identity to protect, setting up both fantasy and friction: the glitter of the ton above stairs, and the reality of the household world below.

That split is expected to be more than a costume change. The season leans into social boundaries, status, and the cost of moving between worlds—ingredients that naturally raise the stakes for a relationship that begins as a dream and then has to survive daylight.

A full public timeline has not been released for every supporting storyline that will run alongside the main romance across all eight episodes.

How the two-part strategy works and why streamers use it

A two-part season is essentially a pacing tool. Instead of letting the entire story disappear into weekend binge viewing, splitting the release creates two conversation peaks: one for the opening arc and one for the payoff. It also gives the distributor time to extend marketing, manage subscriber retention, and keep the show in the cultural cycle longer without switching to a weekly episode schedule.

Mechanically, it’s simple: the first batch provides the hook and mid-season turning point, then the second batch delivers the resolution. For viewers, it can feel like a built-in intermission—enough time to rewatch, debate, and build anticipation before the ending lands.

Who this affects and what to watch next

The biggest impact is on fans planning watch parties and spoiler-free viewing, since the early-morning drop encourages a race between binge-watchers and everyone else. A second group affected is the cast and production teams, because a split release effectively creates two promotional moments and a longer window of attention, which can boost long-term visibility.

There’s also a ripple effect for the broader period-drama ecosystem. When a flagship romance series returns, it often shapes what audiences seek next, influencing everything from viewing habits to which similar shows get greenlit.

The next verifiable milestone is Part 2’s release on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 3:00 a.m. ET, when the season’s second half will resolve the Benedict-and-Sophie arc and set the table for whoever leads the next chapter.