From Midnight Masquerades to Wicked Stepmothers: Hallmarks of a Cinderella Retelling in  Bridgerton Season 4,  Part 1

Or: Benedict Bridgerton’s Cinderella Story

A Cinderella retelling never gets old, and that’s certainly true in the case of Bridgerton’s latest season. Though Netflix has only wet our whistle with part one of Season 4 of Bridgerton, focusing on the second son, Benedict Bridgerton, it’s always fun to see the familiar tropes and takes on a Cinderella story. These are the elements that Cinderella aficionados like myself might have ~clocked.

A “Prince Charming”

In Bridgerton, we find our Prince Charming in the form of one Benedict Bridgerton, a lovable rake who attends (somewhat against his will) to yet another society event. So Benedict isn’t of the heir to a throne like the Prince Charming, he comes from a noble family, is wealthy and handsome and kind—all trademarks of a prince as we’d be apt to think of one.

A Cinderella figure

We all know the hallmarks of a Cinderella character: normally a girl who is left an orphan after the passing of her father. After her father’s death, she’s left in the care of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, who force her into the role of a servant. Enter Bridgerton’s Sophie Baek, the illegitimate daughter of an Earl.

A parent figure attempts to find the Prince Charming character a partner

After Dowager Viscountess Violet Bridgerton reprimands Benedict for his rakish behavior of late, she informs him that she will be concentrating her matchmaking efforts to find him a wife this season.

There is a ball…

Hosted by the Bridgerton matriarch, a masked masquerade is held as the first ball of the season. Our Prince Charming, Benedict Bridgerton, and our Cinderella, Sophie Baek, meet.

Benedict is renowned is social circles; even servants (who have access to Lady Whistledowns Society Papers) know who he is.

But Sophie—the “Silver Ingenue,” our Cinderella transformed from a servant girl—is a mystery.

Multiples suitors vy for the hand of the same person

Debutantes; need I say more?

Probably not, but I will.

Benedict is the “get” of the season. He has the good looks, the family, the fortune. And what’s more, he has the queen betting that he’ll be successful.

Cinderella runs at midnight—but leaves behind a clue to her identity

When the masts are set to come off at midnight, so if he hast to run or risk discovery. Like the Disney version, who is magic feeds at the stroke of midnight. Sophie flees into the night, but instead of a glass slipper, she leaves behind a single glove.

A search ensues

With his sister-in-law Penelope Bridgerton (aka the infamous Lady Whistledown) as a powerful ally, letting it be known Benedict is looking for ~someone, Benedict enlists the help of his family in his pursuit of his Cinderella

But may be falling for the simple servant girl along the way…

I’m eager to see how the story continues when Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 releases on February 26th!