Dearest reader, there is a new arrival in the Ton in Bridgerton season four. With Luke Thompson's Benedict taking centre stage, Yerin Ha is the latest leading lady on the scene.
The 28-year-old Australian actress plays maid Sophie Baek, who catches Benedict's eye at a masquerade ball while disguised as the mysterious Lady in Silver. Can true love really conquer all? Or will the forbidden cross-class connection ruin the pair's chance of happiness?
As fans prepare for more scandal, steamy passion and high society drama, find out all you need to know about Bridgerton's new lead, from her impressive career, to her famous family connections.
© LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIXYerin's career so far
At 28 years old, Yerin already boasts an impressive list of credits. After treading the boards as part of the Sydney Theatre Company, the Australian actress made her TV debut in the French-American crime drama, Reef Break (2019).
That same year, it was announced that Yerin had been cast as Kwan Ha in the Steven Spielberg-produced television adaptation of the video game, Halo, which ran from 2022 to 2024.
© GettyAmong her other major TV roles, the rising star has appeared as Ah Rah in Troppo (2022) and Alice in Bad Behaviour (2023). The former landed Yerin a nomination for Most Outstanding Supporting Actress at the 2023 Logie Awards.
Currently, Yerin's only film credit is listed as Sissy – a 2022 independent horror-thriller starring Aisha Dee, Emily De Margheriti and Daniel Monks. According to IMDb, Yerin has finished shooting the sci-fi series and prequel, Dune: Prophecy. She is billed as young Kasha.
In a recent interview with InStyle, Yerin opened up about struggling with the uncertainty that comes with a career in the entertainment industry. "I get really anxious… I never feel like I'm going to get work again," said the actress. "I have this really strange mindset of, 'What if this is my last one?'"
Famous family
Yerin isn't the only creative member of her family. Her father worked as a producer for advertisements, while her grandparents, Son Sook and Kim Sung Ok, are both actors.
Her grandmother, Son, is a celebrated South Korean actress and former politician. Renowned for her work on stage, Son has won countless Baeksang Arts Awards, as well as an MBC Drama Award.
© Getty"My grandma's an actor and my parents met each other in acting school, so I've always grown up with this knowledge of what theatre and screen are, so that's something I was always interested in," Yerin told Vogue Australia in November 2019.
Revealing the sage advice that her grandmother gave to her, Yerin recalled how Son had told her to "Be brave, be courageous and stand up for what you believe in."
© GettySharing a close bond with Son, Yerin has also noted that she'd love to collaborate with her. Listing the actors and filmmakers she admires most, the actress told the Korea Herald: "It will be a great honor to work with my grandmother as well."
Yerin's love life
Yerin likes to keep her love life out of the spotlight, so not much is known about her relationship status.
Yerin's role in Bridgerton
Yerin stars as maid Sophie Baek, the leading lady of season four. According to Shondaland and showrunner Jess Brownell, Yerin brings "incredible feistiness, humour, and vulnerability" to the role.
© LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX"I think Benedict is a character who we have all been rooting for over the years and are deeply invested in his story," Jess told Best Quality Designer Handbag and other press at the show's season of love event last year. "It's been really exciting to try and shake him out of his normal routine. And I think the only way we were able to do that is with a character as dynamic as Sophie."
On what fans can expect of the character, Jess said: "She is based on a Cinderella trope, but she is no damsel in distress. She is someone who has chess moves and is always thinking three steps ahead. She's going to throw Benedict for a loop, and Yerin brings this incredible feistiness, humour, and vulnerability to the role. We're so lucky to have her."
