As season 4 filming is about to begin much attention is turning from season 3 and to what will happen in season 4. Jess Brownell has hinted that season 4 will be different, and potentially move away from London - and into a different season, potentially Autumn. These differences for season 4 open the door for Jess Brownell to make the show fresh, new and interesting, if she is brave enough. With this in mind, season 4 presents the opportunity to write out characters whose storylines are getting stale, repetitive and boring, whilst introducing a number of new characters that will connect directly in with the main storyline and not be on the fringes of the stories being told.
Below are five characters I think should be written out of Bridgerton.
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Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte's storylines for the 3 seasons of Bridgerton have centred on the unmasking of Lady Whistledown, and involving herself in the season of the diamond. However, with no Bridgerton girls to be presented, and Penelope having been unveiled as Lady Whistledown, what storyline can Queen Charlotte have without it looking repetitive or forced, especially as Penelope and Colin's story is completed, and as with Kate and Anthony they should now be taking a back seat to other characters and storylines. In addition to these factors, Jess Brownell has suggested that the following seasons will be focused more outside of London, and potentially in a different season of the year, which could negate any requirement for the Queen to be present - especially if the action takes place during the off season when most of the Ton will retire to their country estates. With all of this in mind the purpose of Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton has ended, and to keep her in the show can only be for a repetition of previous storylines, and none of it will feel fresh and new.
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Portia Featherington
As the Featherington heir storyline having been resolved with Portia keeping the money and Penelope keeping her secret, and all of Portia's daughters now married and mothers, Portia's story arcs are complete. Also, as mentioned above, Penelope and Colin should be taking a back seat to other characters based on the precedence set with Kate and Anthony in season 3. So with all of her story arcs complete, and with Penelope not featuring as much in the show, Portia should also take a back seat to allow for new characters related to current and future storylines take more prominence. Now, I realise some will say that she is required to be a foil to Violet, but why does it have to be Portia that is the foil? Why couldn't it be another character? Season 3 appeared to set up a future storyline with Cressida, which means Lady Cowper could act as the foil for Violet, or with it being Benedict's season the introduction of Sophie's step mother could act in that role, there is nothing that says it has to be Portia because it has been her for the previous 3 seasons.
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Prudence and Philippa Featherington
As with Portia, Prudence and Philippa's story arcs are completed with their marriages and their children. The relationship between Prudence, Philippa and Penelope was set up to contrast with the relationship between the Bridgerton siblings, but with their relationship repaired there is no purpose for the continued presence of Prudence and Philippa.
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Madame Delacroix
Madame Delacroix has been a fixture in all three seasons, first she appeared as the modiste that all the debutantes went to for their new wardrobes, and later she also became Penelope's co-conspirator in her Lady Whistledown. With the potential that season 4 won't be set during the main social season, with no Bridgerton girls (or love interests) debuting, and with Penelope having been revealed as Lady Whistledown, where will Madame Delacroix fit in during season 4? There may still be an odd scene or two at the modiste, but in general, as Sophie will not be a major player in society and Penelope's reveal in season 3 negating her need for assistance with Lady Whistledown, there appears to be no requirement for Madame Delacroix's presence. In saying that, of the five characters I have discussed, Madame Delacroix is the one that could be brought back without feeling forced or shoehorned into the show, mostly as we could have scenes with Sophie's stepsisters at the modiste, or she could play a part with Sophie's preparations for the masquerade ball, however, if the action is taken out of London it will limit the role she could play.
These are the five main characters that I think have had their time on Bridgerton, and whose absence in season 4 won't, I believe, severely impact the storylines. I realise that perhaps many will believe the same about other characters from season 3, however, I can see where some of those characters could have a part to play in future storylines, or in Benedict's storyline, and thus have a place in the show going forward.
