Ruth Gemmell and Daniel Francis open up about their characters exploring an unconventional romance for its time in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1

While Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 explored the meeting and undeniable spark between Benedict Bridgerton, a nobleman, and Sophie Baek, a maid, their romance isn't the only one we see which is unconventional for the Regency period. Violet Bridgerton, the mother to eight children and an important 'Mama' of the ton, was a devoted and loving wife to her late husband, Viscount Edmund Bridgerton until he passed away. While she has been dedicatedly looking for the right match for her children, she had overlooked her own wishes for quite some time.

In Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1, we see Violet finally admit to Marcus Anderson that she wants to pursue a romantic relationship with him, but discreetly, because society will look down upon her family if word got out and because she doesn't want to risk hurting her children. Speaking to Deadline, Ruth Gemmell and Daniel Francis, who play Violet and Marcus in the show, opened up about their characters exploring an unconventional romance for its time in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1.

Ruth Gemmell and Daniel Francis on their characters' new relationship in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1

Since the first season, long before Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1, the show has made it clear to the viewers that Edmund and Violet Bridgerton shared a great love, one that Violet is still mourning years after her husband's death. It was out of love, grief, familial responsibility that she hadn't been able to move on romantically after Edmund's death. But that changed when Violet met Marcus Anderson, Lady Danbury's brother in Season 3. They felt an instant connection for each other, and in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1, they finally admit that to one other, with Violet ending up saying an honest and bold monologue about her desire for him.

Speaking about her character's dynamic with Marcus in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1, Ruth Gemmell opened up to Deadline, saying:

“We’re certainly more confident in each other’s company. There was a very tentative, first stepping out in a way, and I think the beginning of [Season 4], there is much more confidence.”

She continued:

“It’s implied, that suggestion of where we’d go from here. And suddenly, I slightly backtrack. So there’s a lot of patience.”

Marcus has definitely been extremely patient in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1, as he supports Violet figure out what she wants without pressuring her. Opening up about his character's patience, Daniel Francis said:

“It’s a very patient exploration, but I think once they know they like each other, then it’s just about ‘What needs to happen in order to evolve this?’”

He continued:

“Lord Anderson is very patient. He’s not on a dating app, swiping.”

Violet reminds Marcus how having eight children has changed her body, and she isn't sure how to be a with a new man for the first time in years. She tells him all of this, admits her attraction to him, and expresses that she wishes to explore that attraction, and it is an extremely honest and brave monologue of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1. Marcus takes it all in and is ever-so-understanding. Speaking about her monologue, Gemmell said:

“All those are really valid points, actually, certainly, if you have not been intimate with someone for years, I mean, almost 12, 13, years. I should know how old Hyacinth is at this stage, and it escapes me, but it’s something like that, and that’s quite a long time. So they are completely valid. All of those, I feel those now, all those vulnerabilities.”

She continued:

“It was fun as well because the way they write scenes like that is that she sort of trips over her own words. So she starts one train of thought, and then something more hideous comes into her head about how she feels about herself, or how I think you might feel me, so it’s going on and on.”

As great as it is to see Violet finally accept her needs and choose what makes her happy, there is a concern regarding how Lady Danbury or the Bridgeton siblings would react to this unconventional romance. Society was not used to widowed ladies having a romantic relationship back in that time, which makes Violet's discreteness of her new relationship with Marcus extremely valid. Speaking about how Lady Danbury might react, Gemmell said:

“I think that Danbury gave her blessings. She gave her blessings and a warning to her brother, to just be a gentleman, be respectful and do not hurt her friend.”

She elaborated:

“But I think she also came to realize how genuine Marcus actually is as well. How genuine his intent is, and therefore that’s one of the things that enabled her to give that blessing, so she’d be happy.”

If and when the Bridgeton siblings find out about their mother's relationship with Marcus, it might just go well and Marcus might be able to guide the men of the family at times, especially in the absense of Edmund. Francis spoke to Deadline about Marcus trying to help the Bridgerton men, saying:

“Gregory, probably, would be the most likely [candidate]. Marcus, we’ve been talking about this concept of having stuff or baggage, as it were, the horrible term of baggage. But I think Marcus isn’t afraid of that.”

He continued:

“It’s something that is very alluring. And he sees the type of woman that [Violet] is, and type of mother that she is, most importantly, and is drawn to that.”

But regarding this development in Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1, Francis also points out that Marcus' goal would be to simply help Violet's children, and not try to replace their father. He said:

“I think he’d be a great mentor and father figure for young Gregory, as he goes through the things of life, but also, he’s not trying to replace Edmund as well.”

He added:

“I think that’s important as well, that creates a space, which is, ‘I’m not trying to replace Edmund.’ He is there just discovering something that is new and fresh for them.”

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 ended with Violet arranging a special 'Tea' which was actually code for arranging a private night for her and Marcus by sending away all her children to Francesca's new household and dismissing the staff. Part 2 will explore more of this relationship, and might allow us to see more layers of these two characters.

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 is streaming on Netflix. Part 2 will be released on Netflix on February 26, 2026.

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