Yerin Ha: Bridgerton’s Newest Asian Leading Lady
Period films and series have rarely centered Asian stories—but Bridgerton has proven itself an exception. After introducing Indian-British actress Simone Ashley in its second season, the Netflix juggernaut ushers in a new era with Korean-Australian actress Yerin Ha leading Season 4. With her stepping into the spotlight, all eyes are on the rising star poised to redefine the ton.
RELATED: Bridgerton Beauty Is Back—And It’s Softer Than Ever
Acting or Nothing
Raised in a family of actors, Ha’s path to the stage felt almost inevitable. At just 15, she trained for three years at Kaywon High School of Arts in Seoul before returning to Australia to graduate from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney.
The Korean actress began her professional career on stage, playing Maurice in Sydney Theatre Company’s 2019 production of Lord of the Flies, before making her television debut in the American-French series Reef Break. Roles soon followed in Halo (2022), Bad Behaviour (2023), Dune: Prophecy (2024), and Netflix’s Survivors—each performance sharpening her presence on screen.
Little did she know that her defining breakthrough would arrive next—this time, on the global stage of one of Netflix’s most successful series.
The Talk of the Ton
Today, Ha leads Bridgerton Season 4 alongside Luke Thompson, who reprises his role as Benedict Bridgerton—the love interest of her character, Sophie Baek.
Ha’s presence in Bridgerton goes beyond tokenism. In Julia Quinn’s original novel An Offer From a Gentleman, her character was named Sophie Beckett—a detail reimagined as Sophie Baek in the series to honor Ha’s Korean heritage.
“A name is the first bit of identity that you share with the world, and that’s why changing a name can be so powerful. To make Sophie’s name fit someone who looks like me is really empowering,” she shared in an interview.
While having an Asian lead is significant, Bridgerton pushes representation further by weaving diversity throughout its world—a testament to the series’ commitment to telling richer, more inclusive stories.
Entering Her Fashion Era
Ha traces her love for fashion back to afternoons spent flipping through magazines in Sydney supermarket aisles. Still, she admits to staying comfortably rooted in neutrals and monochromes—often passing up the bold colors she promises herself she’ll try one day.
There is, however, no shortage of time—or opportunity—for evolution. In March 2025, Ha made her fashion show debut at Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2025 presentation during Paris Fashion Week, calling it a “pinch me moment” on Instagram. With her star rapidly rising, it may only be the beginning of a more adventurous fashion chapter.
As Yerin Ha steps into the romantic world of Bridgerton, she reshapes what period storytelling can look like—where diversity is not an afterthought, but a defining force. This is only the beginning of her ascent, and the ton, it seems, is already watching.
Keep up with Yerin Ha as she makes her mark on the ton—follow her journey on and off screen.
Featured Image and Photos: YERIN HA (via Instagram)
The post Yerin Ha: Bridgerton’s Newest Asian Leading Lady first appeared on MEGA.
Yerin Ha: Bridgerton’s Newest Asian Leading Lady
Trending Updates Central
No comments: