BRIDGERTON FAVOURITE HAS VERY FAMOUS HUSBAND AND FANS WILL BE GOBSMACKED

Bridgerton enthusiasts are counting down the days until the second instalment of series four drops, with the remaining episodes set to arrive on 26th February.

This latest season puts Benedict Bridgerton centre stage. Based on Julia Quinn's novel 'An Offer from a Gentleman', the series follows Benedict's (Luke Thompson) enchanting love story with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).

The first four episodes launched together, introducing audiences to newcomer Sophie, a housemaid dreaming of experiencing the grandeur of high society events. Concealing her identity to attend a masquerade ball at Bridgerton House, she encountered Benedict, who was immediately smitten.

The duo shared a fleeting, intense moment before Sophie was forced to flee the ball and return to her humble life as a maid. Benedict, however, became consumed with finding the mysterious woman who had stolen his heart...

Sophie had been employed as a maid for her cruel stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun (portrayed by Katie Leung).

Read more: Bridgerton's ton explained ahead of season 4, part 2

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Lady Araminta, together with her daughters Posy (Isabella Wei) and Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao), mistreated Sophie following her father's death. Upon discovering she had sneaked off to the masquerade ball wearing her belongings, Lady Araminta dismissed her and threatened she would never secure employment in London again.

Meanwhile, following Sophie's dismissal, Lady Araminta sparked a fierce battle for domestic staff as she attempted to lure other households' servants to fill Sophie's shoes - a maid whose exceptional abilities matched those of five employees.

Mrs Varley, portrayed by Lorraine Ashbourne, has served faithfully as head of staff at Featherington House, but in series four she was presented with a superior employment opportunity from an unknown party.

Demonstrating her allegiance, Mrs Varley approached her employer Portia Featherington (Polly Walker) requesting an overdue salary increase, highlighting how circumstances had evolved during her two decades of service.

Rather than additional wages, though, Portia presented Mrs Varley with a collection of her pre-worn dresses, claiming financial constraints prevented further compensation. Making matters worse, Mrs Varley subsequently observed Portia flaunting newly purchased outfits after having donated her previous wardrobe.

Upon realising Portia clearly possessed available funds, Mrs Varley challenged her employer before departing Featherington House. Series four part one concluded with Mrs Varley employed by Lady Araminta, greeting the household as they settled into their fresh Grosvenor Square residence...

Actress Lorraine Ashbourne, who portrays Mrs Varley, boasts extensive screen experience, featuring in productions including King Kong, City Central, Playing the Field, Jane Eyre, Unforgotten, Jericho, The Crown, Bridgerton, Sherwood, After the Flood and Riot Women - amongst numerous others.

Beyond her professional career, Lorraine is wed to Hollywood star Andy Serkis. The pair first met in 1989 before tying the knot in 2002.

The couple share three children - Ruby, 28, Sonny, 26, and Louis, 21 - all of whom have pursued careers in the acting world.

Andy, 61, is perhaps most recognised for his portrayal of Gollum across The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

His extensive filmography also encompasses The Escapist, 13 Going on 30, Flushed Away, the Rise of the Planet of the Apes series, King Kong, multiple Star Wars projects including the television series Andor, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Black Panther and The Batman - amongst numerous others.

Their children have carved out impressive acting trajectories of their own. Ruby's credits include The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Serpent, Becoming Elizabeth, Shardlake and I, Jack Wright.

Sonny's work spans The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Casual Vacancy, Dolittle, Young Wallander, The Witcher, Masters of the Air and Miss Scarlet and the Duke.

Their youngest, Louis, has featured in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, The Kid Who Would Be King, Arcade and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

Louis has additionally starred in Netflix's acclaimed The Queen's Gambit as Georgi Girev, Out There as Johnny Williams and the BBC's Wild Cherry as Hugo.

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2026-02-04T16:49:44Z