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Bridgerton's Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha—who play Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek on season four, out on Netflix Jan. 29—exclusively told E! News why their iconic sex scene was tough to film.
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Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha weren't exactly in lockstep when filming that climactic staircase scene.
The Bridgerton stars—who play Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek, respectively, on season four—served up a surprising behind-the-scenes secret about how they prepared for their big sex scene in part one, out on Netflix Jan. 29.
"What we actually did is we both got ill," Thompson exclusively told E! News' Will Marfuggi in their joint interview. "But different scenes. We kept falling ill!"
Indeed, Ha quipped that both of them being sick "tells us we were very mentally a little bit weak, a little bit nervous, my immune system was down" for the steamy moment.
"But no, in all seriousness," the 27-year-old continued, "I do think that with those scenes, it is just an extension of an emotion, and it's there because it has to be, not because we're just doing a steamy scene for a steamy scene's sake."
In fact, Thompson revealed one Easter egg about what makes Benedict and Sophie's staircase scene so special: It's a metaphor for their different standings in society, him as the second eldest brother in the esteemed Bridgerton family and her as a maid for the household.
"Bridgerton is very good at making the scenes feel actually poetic," he explained to E!. "There's a brilliant metaphor there about meeting at the center of the staircase."
"To be able to engage with that makes it seem like it's a scene like any other scene," he continued. "They feel meaningful. Put it that way: They don't feel sort of tokenistic, which then makes it much more fun."
Liam Daniel/Netflix
And the pair certainly had fun developing their onscreen chemistry for season four.
"We didn't force anything," Ha shared. "We tried to let it happen and see what was going to grow organically. I'm a big believer in not forcing anything and trying to not make people feel something a certain way about me. It was just having to trust him, and you do have to surrender a little bit, and that is kind of scary. But I think immediately, as I met Luke, I was like, 'Oh, I can let my walls down a little bit and just see what play happens.'"
For OG cast member Thompson, he felt comfortable with Ha from the beginning of her audition process.
"When we did our first scene together, it just felt like we'd been working together for a very long time," the 37-year-old added. "You just click and then you go on a little adventure together."
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Part one of Bridgerton season four is out now, while part two hits Netflix Feb. 26.
Read on to see more behind-the-scenes moments from filming that could warm even Lady Whistledown's heart.
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Sibling Rivalry
Luke Thompson (who plays Benedict Bridgerton) and Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) killed some time during filming by playing a clapping game.
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Back to Besties
Looks like Eloise and Penelope Featherington (played by Nicola Coughlan) are closer than ever, as the actresses were in good spirits on set.
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Sisterly Shenanigans
Hannah Dodd (who plays Francesca Bridgerton) joined Claudia in making some silly faces during a chilly day on set.
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Stirling Personality
Victor Alli (who plays John Stirling) shared a funny behind-the-scenes moment while shooting Bridgerton season four.
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No Raining on This Parade
The cast—which includes new members Yerin Ha (Sophie), Katie Leung (Lady Araminta Gun), Michelle Mao (Rosamund Li) and Isabella Wei (Posy Li)—was equipped with umbrellas even when it got rainy on set.
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Puppy Love
There were clearly no ruff moments behind the scenes.
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All Smiles
The costars flashed a smile while bundled up for the show, which centers on Benedict and Sophie's love story.
English (US) ·