Bridgerton season 4 introduced a new leading lady, Sophie Baek, to the ton with a flurry of new regency language.
When the season begins, Sophie (Yerin Ha) works as a maid for her stepmother, Lady Araminta Penwood (Katie Leung), and her two stepsisters. Araminta is initially introduced to Sophie after marrying her biological father, Lord Penwood (Arthur Lee).
Lord Penwood succinctly tells his new bride that Sophie is his “ward,” careful to avoid using words to convey familial dynamics.
Keep scrolling for a full breakdown of Sophie’s backstory:
What Is a Ward?
The term “ward” was taken directly from Julia Quinn’s novel that inspired Bridgerton season 4, An Offer From a Gentleman. Much like in the show, Lord Penwood referred to Sophie Baek as his “ward” instead of his daughter.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a ward as “a person, especially a child, who is legally put under the protection of a law court or a guardian.”
Why Is Sophie on ‘Bridgerton’ Considered a Ward?
Sophie Baek is the illegitimate daughter of Lord Penwood and an unnamed maid, who died during childbirth. As her parents were never married, Sophie was never considered the heiress to the Penwood estate and fortune. Lord Penwood, however, secretly supported Sophie and arranged for educational tutors throughout her childhood.
What Happened to Lord Penwood on ‘Bridgerton?’
Lord Penwood died when Sophie Baek was a teenager, leaving his entire estate to wife Lady Araminta Penwood. Per the show, Araminta claimed that Lord Penwood didn’t leave anything for Sophie.
In the book, Lord Penwood actually did arrange for Sophie and Araminta’s daughters to have sizable dowries when they each got married. Araminta was named the trustee of Sophie’s account and was afforded an extra salary if she let Sophie live in the family home until she was 18. Araminta did let Sophie stay if she worked as a maid.
Why Does Sophie Leave Araminta’s House?
As seen in the first half of season 4, Sophie Baek is fired after Lady Araminta discovered that she secretly attended the Bridgerton family’s masquerade ball and scuffed her fancy silver shoes.
Sophie subsequently seeks employment as a maid outside of London, working for the Cavender brood’s country estate. Her position is, once again, terminated after she stops Lord Cavender from harassing a fellow maid during a raucous party. Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) was a guest at the bash, jumping in to rescue Sophie. He ultimately arranges for her to work as a lady’s maid for his family.
Inside Sophie’s ‘Bridgerton’ Journey
“Sophie’s forced to work for a family who does not treat her with the respect that the maids get at Bridgerton House, [or] even Featherington House,” showrunner Jess Brownell told Tudum in January 2026. “She’s put in this situation where she has to really think on her feet every day to survive. Araminta is the lady of the house, and she has very exacting standards.”
She continued, “She’s a woman who has lived through a lot and by those circumstances has had to find a way to survive.”
The first half of Bridgerton season 4 is now streaming on Netflix. Part two airs February 26.