What’s Next for Polin on ‘Bridgerton’? Our Colin & Penelope Season 4 Theories
Obviously, Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie (Yerin Ha) are the focal point of Bridgerton Season 4, but the regency drama is known for continuing the stories of the Bridgerton siblings — and their partners if they have them — on the side. Season 1’s couple being the exception. With Season 3 still on our minds, we’re especially curious about what Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) will be up to in the next installment.
In fact, Colin and Penelope’s subplot is probably the biggest unknown going into Season 4, considering that the Netflix series switched up the order of Julia Quinn’s books last season. In Quinn’s series, Penelope and Colin fall in love after Benedict and Sophie do. So, when it comes to the direction Polin will take in Season 4, pretty much anything is possible. So far, Eloise is the only character whose subplot has been partially revealed, but that hasn’t stopped us from coming up with some Polin theories.
[Warning: The below contains spoilers for An Offer From a Gentleman.]
First, we have to revisit Quinn’s An Offer From a Gentleman, which Season 4 is based on. Though he makes an appearance at the masquerade, Colin is off traveling in Wales for the most part. (It’s safe to say that won’t be the case next season, now that he’s a husband and father.) Colin wanted to escape his marriage-minded mother, who was trying to match him up with Penelope. It’s in this book that Penelope overhears Colin telling his brothers that he’ll never marry Penelope. (A moment that show fans know was moved up to Season 2.)
Colin’s only other book scene is his fencing match with Benedict, which we hope is included in Season 4. Torn up over Sophie’s choice to hide her identity as Lady in Silver, whom he fell for years prior, Benedict takes his frustrations out on his brother. During their face-off, Colin guesses that his bad mood has to do Sophie, who at that point Colin had already met. (She worked as the Bridgertons’ maid briefly.) Colin encourages his brother to get over himself and marry Sophie.
It surprises Benedict that Colin picked up on his feelings. “Colin always knew everything,” Benedict thinks, adding that the only person who seemed to know more gossip than Colin was Eloise. With that in mind, it doesn’t seem far-fetched to theorize that Colin, now a published author himself with his travel journal, might join his wife in her Lady Whistledown exploits. We don’t know exactly how Whistledown will work in Season 4, now that Penelope has been exposed as the gossip columnist, but we do know that Penelope isn’t putting her pen down yet, per showrunner Jess Brownell.
Surely some members of the ton, now armed with the knowledge that Penelope is Whistledown, will be angry and gunning for her in Season 4. If he joins her business, not only will Colin be able to continue writing — there’s little chance that he leaves his family to write another travel book — but he also might feel like he’s in a better position to protect his wife. (Please give us protective Colin, Bridgerton!)
There’s also the matter of Penelope and Colin’s son eventually inheriting the title of Lord Featherington, which was revealed in Season 3. As steward, Colin will likely be more involved with the Featherington family and helping manage their estate in Season 4. Hopefully, it’ll make for some hilarious interactions with Lady Featherington (Polly Walker), who’s still the lady of the house. Surely, the show will make time to show us a bit of Colin and Penelope learning to become parents, too. (We need at least one sweet, domestic moment!)
What are your Polin theories for Season 4? Let us know in the comments below!
Bridgerton, Season 4, Part 1 Premiere, Thursday, January 29, 2026
Bridgerton, Season 4, Part 2 Premiere, Thursday, February 26, 2026
