A Refresher On What's Going On With Benedict Bridgerton Going Into Bridgerton Season 2

The highly-anticipated sophomore season of Netflix super-hit "Bridgerton" drops on March 25, and although the story pivots to follow a different couple this time around, fans are still eager to dissect every minute detail regardless. As Town & Country notes, the series is based off Julia Quinn's massively popular novels of the same name. Season 1 debuted on Christmas Day 2020, with all eight episodes dropping simultaneously — ideal for a festive binge. 

The first series followed the wealthy titular family in Regency-era London, as eldest daughter Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) prepared to make her societal debut, before falling hopelessly in love with the swoon-worthy Duke Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page), all while an anonymous gossip columnist detailed every moment of their lives.

The show was very well-received critically too, and garnered an impressive 12 Emmy nominations. Although Season 2 focuses on a different side of the family, there will be some familiar faces along the way, including lovable brother Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). Here's where he's at when the second season opens, and where Benedict's story could go in later years. 

As Cheat Sheet notes, second eldest son Benedict Bridgerton spent Season 1 enjoying a romantic tryst with Genevive Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale). However, if the Netflix series follows the trajectory of the books, Benedict won't get a fully-fledged love story until Season 3, per third novel "An Offer from a Gentleman," in which he eventually marries Sophia Beckett. 

According to Entertainment Daily, Benedict was mentored by established painter Sir Henry Granville (Julian Ovenden) in Season 1, which also led to him discovering a secret about his new friend, as well as the hidden lives of their fellow artists. By the end of the season, Benedict and Genevieve had made things official, and Benedict was ready to pursue his passion full time. 

It's unclear how much of a role Benedict will play in Season 2, but the third season could be all about him as the romance with earl's daughter Sophie, who's forced into a life of servitude by her evil stepmother, comes to the fore. Sophie meets Benedict when she sneaks into the annual Bridgerton masquerade ball and, "Cinderella"-style, he hunts her down afterwards. 

Although fans are understandably concerned about the lack of "Sexy Duke" Regé-Jean Page this time around, early reviews suggest "Bridgerton" does just fine without him. In fact, Entertainment Weekly headlined their review "No Duke? No problem!" If the books are anything to go by, Benedict may soon become the next big romantic lead.