Every hint Bridgerton fans spotted that Benedict would lead season 4

Bridgerton Season 3 was a viral smash hit, racking up more than 45 million views since its release.

Now that the most avid fans have binged their way through the friend-to-lovers romance of Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Peneolope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), there is only one question on everyone's lips... Who comes next?

It has now been confirmed that Luke Thompson will take the lead in Season 4 with his character, Benedict Bridgerton — and fans are desperate to watch how it plays out.

The series, which is based on the period romance novels by Julia Quinn, has already played out The Duke & I (Book 1: Daphne & Simon), The Viscount Who Loved Me (Book 2: Kate & Anthony) and most recently Romancing Mr Bridgerton (Book 4: Penelope & Colin).

You may have noticed that the series skipped the third book — An Offer from a Gentleman (Benedict & Sophie) — leaving fans demanding to see it on screen. However, eagle-eyed Netflix fans spotted several clues in the last season that showed 'proved' they will see their romance blossom on screen very soon.

Interactions with maids

Throughout Season 3, Benedict is seen interacting with maids on multiple occasions. He is seen being treated by them at Lady Tilley Arnold's (Hannah New) home, being passed notes by them.

He even jokes about Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) waiting for the maids to pass her the latest copy of Lady Whistledown, despite her "not being allowed to read it". Clips of his interactions with the maids have since been shared online as people believe it was a clue for the upcoming season.

Ally, who posts on X as @missbridger_ton, wrote: "One thing I’ve noticed this season is that Benedict had the most direct and indirect interactions with maids." Another viewer agreed: " So many times! And he noticeably acknowledged working-class people in multiple eps too!"

Readers believes this was a clue as Benedict's story in the novels by Julia Quinn is a Cinderella-esque story, where his love interest, Sophie Beckett, is forced into the role of a maid after being cruelly treated by her stepmother.

Talking on the swings

Fans have long loved the brother-sister bond between Benedict and Eloise Bridgerton, who is played by Claudia Jessie. The iconic duo have been seen meeting on a swing in their garden, chatting about life over a cigarette since Season 1.

But during their chat in Season 3 fans were left 'screaming' over one line. He said: "Believe me, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know how it feels right now that the next thing I might learn may change me entirely."

Fans believed he was foreshadowing meeting Sophie, as he had renounced love in a previous scene, claiming he did not wish to give up his newfound freedom with his sexuality just yet. However, we have seen other Bridgertons swear off love, only to find it the following season — Kate and Anthony (Simone Ashley and Johnathon Bailey), for example.

One fan said: "I was screaming when he said about the next thing that will change him…" Another commented: " The lead up to his season, his will be 4," as a third wrote: "I feel like Benedict will bring Sophie to those swings and he’ll get to have Eloise helping him with advice."

Until the clock strikes midnight...

Cinderella stories follow one key rule — you have until the clock strikes midnight!

Apparently, season 3 was littered with midnight references in one key episode, which some fans believe was a major clue for next season. In her video, which has gained 3,000 likes, Arrabella Rosier said: "It all starts with episode five of season three called Tick Tock.

"We have a bunch of midnight references and a bunch of cutaways of a clock striking 12. While yes, this does play into the story, it's a major hint for Benedict season in Benedict season, his romance with Sophie will play out as a Cinderella sort of callback.

"He meets his future wife at a masquerade ball and spends the entire season trying to uncover her identity. Turns out, she's a humble Earl's daughter who has an evil stepmother and an evil stepsister. It doesn't make sense in the TV show to jump straight to Eloise after Colin and Penelope's wedding, Eloise still has no intention of finding a love match."

The Masquerade Ball 

One of the biggest clues that the second-eldest Bridgerton brother will take the lead next season was the mention of Lady Violet Bridgerton's masquerade ball. Fans who have read the books picked up on this one pretty quickly, as Benedict meets his love interest at that very ball.

Eager fans took to social media claiming this was a huge clue for Season 4. One woman wrote: "Benedict season 4 here we come! between the mention of the masquerade ball, his conversation with Eloise on the swings and the voiceover talking about looking toward the future with only him in shot… Sophie is coming!"

The streaming giant and production company Shondaland confirmed on Tuesday, July 23, that the fourth season of Bridgerton will turn its focus on Benedict.

So far in the show, Benedict has been too stubborn to settle down, despite watching his elder and younger siblings finally tie the knot with their ideal match. But in their announcement, Netflix and Shondaland vow that a mysterious lady will turn his world upside-down

The statement reads: "Benedict is loath to settle down -- until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother's masquerade ball." Who could she be? Showrunner Jess Brownell is taking the reigns of the eight-parter with Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica, and Chris Van Dusen as executive producers..