Bridgerton director Tom Verica has said season four “definitely takes a turn” in part two, which will see Benedict Bridgerton’s romance with maid Sophie Baek present a “real complication” for his family.

The hit period drama returned in January with the first four episodes of its highly anticipated fourth season, which follows the Cinderella-style romance between the Bohemian second Bridgerton son Benedict (Luke Thompson) and maid Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).

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Yerin Ha stars as Sophie in Bridgerton season four

Speaking at a Q&A held at London’s BFI, which was attended by HELLO!, Tom teased the final four episodes of the new season, which arrives on Netflix on Thursday. “There’s some big things that happen,” the director told the audience. “I can’t wait for you guys to see what happens in these upcoming episodes.

“They’re very different and very unique in their own way, and the evolution of this relationship is really extraordinary,” said Tom, who was joined by showrunner Jess Brownell and leading stars Luke and Yerin on a panel hosted by TV presenter Alison Hammond.

When asked how the writers balance the main storylines with the extensive subplots of the series, Jess said: “The way that I have been approaching side plots this season and going into season five is really starting with the theme. What is the theme for the main couple, and how can we use the side plots to support that?

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Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton

“It’s about setting up future seasons,” she continued. “I’m excited about this back half because by episode eight, everything does come together in a way that people might not be expecting.”

How Benedict and Sophie’s relationship could be a big problem for the Bridgerton women

Writer Jess also revealed that viewers will “learn a lot more” about Sophie’s background in part two, which will also see her romance with Benedict present “a real complication” for the Bridgerton family, due to Sophie’s status as an illegitimate child.

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Luke Thompson plays the eligible Benedict Bridgerton

“What that means for her in society at that time is she’s not considered eligible to go out on the marriage mart,” said Jess. “She’s really not considered eligible to be with a lord’s son, and what’s important about that is it could really affect the younger Bridgerton siblings.

“That level of scandal for Benedict to be in a relationship with an illegitimate daughter, whose mother was a maid and who herself worked as a maid, could bring shame on the family, so much so that the younger siblings, Hyacinth and Eloise, who remain unmarried, might not be able to find their matches,” she continued, adding: “So it presents a real complication.”

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Sophie and Benedict’s romance presents “a real complication” for the Bridgerton family

Bridgerton season four part two arrives on Netflix on 26 February.