Liam Daniel / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
Published Feb 3, 2026, 9:18 AM EST
In over three years at Collider, senior author Jake has now penned over 2500 articles covering a wide range of TV and film for the resources, lists, utilities, news, and interview teams. Alongside interviewing stars such as Selin Hizli, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Harlan Coben, and Chelsea Peretti, Jake was lucky enough to visit the set of Aardman and Netflix's Wallace and Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl in 2024, getting the chance to chat with four-time Academy Award winner Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. Jake has also worked for other publications, including Agents of Fandom.
There is no doubt that the hit period drama Bridgerton, Shondaland's first scripted show for Netflix, is one of the streamer's flagship shows. Last week, the first half of the hotly anticipated fourth season debuted, as gentle readers in their millions settled in to indulge in the Cinderella romance between Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). Perhaps not everyone has reacted positively to the new season, with it currently holding the worst Rotten Tomatoes audience score in the series, but that doesn't change how popular it remains.
After debuting, Bridgerton instantly found its way back to the top of the streaming charts both in the U.S. and globally, with the only true streaming competition coming from the Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell-led video game adaptation, Fallout. Critics have responded positively to the new season, with Collider's Carly Lane awarding a strong 8/10 score in her review of Season 4, Part 1. "In the past, Bridgerton has struggled to balance the season's main romance with every supporting storyline in its orbit," Lane wrote. "Fortunately, Season 4 continues to build on the improved strategy that last season successfully developed, devoting ample time to who Benedict and Sophie are individually as well as their evolving dynamic, which is only helped by the fact that each episode is over an hour long."
Following the first few days of Bridgerton's release, new data from Samba TV has confirmed that not only is Season 4 proving popular, but the series is on an upward trend as more are drawn into the romantic drama of high-society London. During the live plus three-day period, Season 4, Part 1 was watched by 6.4 million households, which marked an impressive 52% increase on Season 3, Part 1. On average, anyone who tuned into the new four episodes watched at least three of them, a return rate rarely seen in modern streaming.
What Else is Popular on Netflix?
Bridgerton is certainly the dominant force on Netflix this week, but there are other shows also finding their place in the current top ten. His & Hers, starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, was the unfortunate title to be dethroned by Bridgerton's arrival, although it holds strong in second place in the U.S. charts. Elsewhere, the likes of the controversial comedy Free Bert, the new romantic series Finding Her Edge, and the sci-fi smash hit Stranger Things are also proving popular.
Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Release Date December 22, 2020
Network Netflix
Directors Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson
Writers Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin
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Luke Thompson
Lady Violet Bridgerton
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Ruth Gemmell
Benedict Bridgerton
English (US) ·