Is that the sound of a silver glove dropping?
Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) love interest for Bridgerton Season 4, once known only as the Lady in Silver, has been revealed. Yerin Ha from Halo will play Sophie Baek, a maid with a hidden past, who captivates the heart of an artist like Benedict.
“What drew me to Sophie was that she immediately has obstacles — something that she constantly has to overcome,” Ha shares after a day of Bridgerton rehearsals. “Whether it’s this battle around social status or trying to hide her feelings from Benedict.”
Sophie isn’t like the other debutantes on Bridgerton. Tragic events have forced her into a life of hard work under demanding employers. But Sophie is resourceful and finds ways to rise above her circumstances. Her life changes when she disguises herself for Violet Bridgerton’s masquerade ball and meets Benedict.
Fans always love a good love story.
Want to know more about Sophie? Yerin Ha gives us a glimpse into the mysterious Lady in Silver.
Who is Sophie Baek?
Sophie is intriguing and complex. She meets Benedict at the Bridgerton masquerade ball, where people can become anyone they want. “There’s this theme with masks that was running throughout all of my audition scenes,” Ha says. “When does Sophie put on this mask to cover her emotions? Or vice versa, when does she take it off and when does she soften up? Playing with those [questions] is just really fun.”
Dancing at the masked ball is inevitable. Luke Thompson says they’ve been practicing their steps. “In fact, we had a dance rehearsal today. I’ve only stepped on Yerin’s toes once, which is good,” he jokes.
Ha describes their dance lessons as “really special and very vulnerable,” helping them step into Benedict and Sophie’s romance. “The dancing is like an extension of their emotions, and a way for them to connect,” she explains.
Being from Australia, Ha feels connected to Sophie, who now has a Korean surname, Baek, to honor Ha’s culture. Originally, Sophie’s name in the books by Julia Quinn was Sophie Beckett.
“A name is the first bit of identity that you share with the world, and that’s why changing a name can be so powerful,” Ha says. “To make Sophie’s name fit someone who looks like me is really empowering. All credit to Jess Brownell, our showrunner.”
Brownell consulted Ha about Korean last names beginning with a ‘B’ and chose Baek. “It’s a really nice way for me to feel like the role is fit for me, rather than me having to fit a certain mold,” Ha says. “It’s amazing what it can do just in a psychological sense. So it means a lot that Jess did that for me.”
Who is Yerin Ha?
Season 4 will be Ha’s first time in the Bridgerton ballroom, but she’s no stranger to the screen. She starred in Halo, produced by Steven Spielberg, and will appear in the upcoming Dune: Prophecy series. She also performed with Sydney Theatre Company in Lord of the Flies.
As Sophie, Ha will face Lady Whistledown. Joining Bridgerton in its fourth season felt “nerve-racking” at first, but her co-stars welcomed her warmly. “I was stressing over nothing because everybody has truly welcomed me with open arms,” Ha says. Claudia Jessie even greeted her with a crocheted bookmark, and Nicola Coughlan and Hannah Dodd reached out before they met her.
“They were like, ‘Hey, reach out if you ever need anything.’ For someone just coming into the show, that means so much,” Ha says. “It’s so sweet. I feel so fortunate and grateful to be part of such a family.”
Until Ha makes her Bridgerton debut as Sophie, keep checking Tudum for updates on Bridgerton Season 4’s next big love story.